When choosing a dark chocolate ice lolly for back to school, first check which part of the lolly contains the dark chocolate: a stated cocoa percentage for the coating doesn’t necessarily describe the ice cream inside. If you’re buying a box for several after-school treats, compare the number of lollies and the net weight, then check the ingredients and allergens on the pack you’re buying.
If you’re after a strong cocoa flavour, distinguish between the coating and the ice cream inside. For example, Auchan’s product listing for Magnum Intense Dark states that its dark coating contains 70% cocoa, but describes the centre as milk chocolate ice cream.
If several people will be having an ice lolly at home, the number of lollies and the net weight can help you choose the right pack size. Check which product is available from your local shop or grocery collection service.
If you need to avoid certain ingredients, take extra care with recipes containing Brazil nuts or almonds. Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the box you buy before serving the lollies.
Start by choosing the type of recipe you like, then compare pack sizes that suit your needs. The words “dark chocolate” may refer to a coating around chocolate, milk chocolate or vanilla ice cream, as shown by Auchan’s product listings for Ferrero Rondnoir, Magnum Intense Dark and Côte d’Or.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Chocolate flavour | Check which part of the lolly any stated cocoa percentage refers to, then look at what’s in the centre. | If you mainly want to taste the dark chocolate, don’t choose based on the word “dark” alone; around 40% of consumers would prioritise this level of cocoa intensity. |
| Pack size | Compare the number of lollies and the net weight of the products you’re considering. | If you’re splitting a box across several after-school treats, you’ll want enough portions; pack size would be the priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and inclusions | Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the box, particularly for recipes containing nuts. | If you need to avoid certain ingredients, check the recipe before deciding on the flavour; around 30% of consumers would put ingredient suitability first. |
On Auchan’s product listing for Magnum Intense Dark, the 70% cocoa content applies to the dark coating; the inside is described as milk chocolate ice cream. So the coating description alone doesn’t tell you what the whole lolly contains.
Check which part the stated percentage refers to and read the description of the centre before choosing.
Auchan’s listings for Nuii dark chocolate and Côte d’Or vanilla dark chocolate feature Brazil nuts and almonds respectively. A name focused on chocolate doesn’t tell you about all the ingredients.
If you have an allergy or need to avoid certain ingredients, check the ingredients list and allergen information on the exact pack.
The pack sizes listed by Auchan vary: Magnum Intense Dark comes in a pack of 3, weighing 222 g; Nuii dark chocolate and Brazil nut comes in a pack of 4, weighing 330 g; and Côte d’Or vanilla dark chocolate and almond comes in a pack of 4, weighing 260 g.
To plan your portions, compare both the number of lollies and the net weight.
Getting frozen food home safely is part of keeping it properly stored, including after collecting a grocery order.
The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety advises picking up frozen food at the end of your shopping trip, using an insulated bag and keeping the journey home as short as possible.
Auchan’s product listing for Magnum Intense Dark describes a milk chocolate ice lolly covered in dark chocolate.
The dark chocolate and Brazil nut recipe listed by Auchan combines chocolate ice cream, malted caramel sauce and a coating with Brazil nuts.
Auchan describes Ferrero Rondnoir as cocoa ice cream with a dark chocolate shell and cocoa pieces.
The product listed by Auchan combines vanilla ice cream, a dark chocolate shell and almonds.
Carrefour’s ice lolly range includes multi-packs under its own-label brands.
This selection features a pack of four dark chocolate ice lollies to consider for treats at home. To compare it with the other recipes mentioned, check the full ingredients list and the label on the box.
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A pack to consider if you’d like several dark chocolate ice lollies for treats at home.
The box is listed as containing 4 ice lollies, with a total weight of 312 g. Check the packaging for the ingredients, which part of the product any stated cocoa percentage refers to, and the allergen information.
No: the dark chocolate may only be in the coating. Auchan’s product listing for Magnum Intense Dark states that its dark shell contains 70% cocoa, but describes the inside as milk chocolate ice cream.
Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the box you’re going to serve. The dark chocolate recipes listed by Auchan include Brazil nuts or almonds, depending on the product; don’t assume you know all the ingredients from the product name alone.
Carry them in an insulated bag and keep the time between collection and getting home as short as possible. The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety also recommends picking up frozen food at the end of your shopping trip.
Check which product is available from your local shop before setting off or placing your order. Then compare the number of lollies, the net weight and the recipe shown on the box, rather than assuming that two chocolate products are the same.