Who are these options for?

People looking strictly for a ‘sugar-free’ product

For this criterion, ‘no added sugars’ is not enough. Check the sugar content per 100 g or mL: ANSES sets the threshold for the ‘sugar-free’ claim at less than 0.5 g.

People who prefer fruit lollies with no added sugar

Fruit and fruit juices still contain sugars. If you’re happy with that distinction, check the grams of sugar per lolly and the portion weight, rather than relying only on the claim on the front of the pack.

People who prefer an individual portion in the evening

An individually wrapped format can make it easier to choose a portion, but recipes vary. Before you buy, check the ingredients, any sweeteners, allergens and storage instructions on the pack.

What should you look at first?

Start by deciding whether ‘sugar-free’ is a strict requirement or whether you’re simply looking for no added sugars. For a homemade recipe, choose your ingredients and portion sizes, then check the sugars contributed by each ingredient if this matters to you.

Criterion What to check Who is it for?
‘Sugar-free’ claim The exact claim on the packaging and a sugar content of less than 0.5 g per 100 g or mL, in line with the threshold set by ANSES. If I’m looking for a genuinely ‘sugar-free’ product, I can’t rely on the ‘no added sugars’ claim alone. Around 42% of consumers prioritise this distinction.
Sugars per portion The grams of sugar and the weight of a whole lolly, especially when the formats differ. When choosing a fruit lolly with no added sugar, I want to know how much sugar is in the portion I’ll eat. This is the main criterion for around 33% of consumers.
Recipe and convenience The type of ice lolly, any sweeteners, allergens and storage instructions. In the evening, I prefer an individual portion with ingredients that suit me and that I can store properly. This need comes first for around 25% of consumers.

Things to avoid getting confused about

  • Assuming ‘no added sugars’ means ‘sugar-free’

    A fruit lolly can carry the first claim and still contain sugars from its ingredients. The portions listed by Picard and Auchan contain sugars despite being described as having ‘no added sugars’.

    If ‘sugar-free’ is your criterion, look for this claim and check the content per 100 g or mL against the threshold set by ANSES.

  • Comparing packs without checking the size of each lolly

    The Picard, Argel and Auchan products featured here weigh between 45 g and 60 g per portion. So a value per 100 g won’t necessarily tell you how much is in the individual lolly you’ll eat.

    Check the sugars per portion, or compare the weight of a lolly with its nutritional values per 100 g before you decide.

  • Looking only at the nutrition claim

    Argel’s vanilla and milk chocolate lolly contains sweeteners, as well as milk and soya. The product information for Auchan’s strawberry and mango-passion fruit sorbets warns that they may contain traces of certain allergens.

    Check the ingredients list and allergen information on the pack you buy.

  • Letting the lollies defrost before putting them away

    The Ministry of Agriculture says that defrosting and then refreezing food can encourage bacteria to multiply.

    Pick up frozen products last when you’re shopping, follow the storage instructions on the packaging and never refreeze a defrosted product.

Brands to know for these formats

These brands offer examples of different ice lolly recipes. The claims and nutritional values apply to the specific products listed below, not to their entire ranges.

Picard

A box of six 45 g fruit ice lollies, described as having no added sugars.

  • Picard’s product information lists 3.9 g of sugars per red fruit, apple and banana lolly, and 4.7 g per apple, peach and mango lolly.
  • These fruit and fruit juice recipes are not described as ‘sugar-free’.

Argel

A vanilla lolly coated in milk chocolate, described as having no added sugars.

  • Argel’s product information lists 6.3 g of simple sugars per 100 g, or around 3.5 g for a 55 g lolly.
  • The recipe contains maltitol, erythritol and steviol glycosides, as well as milk and soya. It is not ‘sugar-free’.

Auchan

Fruit sorbet lollies, including strawberry and mango-passion fruit, described as having no added sugars.

  • Auchan’s product information lists 10 g of sugars per 60 g strawberry lolly and 11 g per mango-passion fruit lolly.
  • Both products may contain traces of cereals containing gluten, peanuts and other nuts.

POP FRUIT

Mini lemon and blood orange sorbet lollies described as having ‘no refined sugars’ on the Monoprix Courses product page.

  • The pack contains six mini lollies weighing 35 g each.
  • ‘No refined sugars’ means neither ‘sugar-free’ nor ‘no added sugars’. Check the ingredients list and sugar content before choosing this recipe to meet either of those criteria.

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Frequently asked questions

Do ‘sugar-free’ and ‘no added sugars’ mean the same thing?

No. ANSES sets the threshold for the ‘sugar-free’ claim at less than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g or mL. A product described as having ‘no added sugars’ may still contain sugars naturally present in its ingredients, including fruit.

What should I compare between a fruit lolly and a vanilla and chocolate lolly?

Compare the sugars per lolly, the portion weight and the ingredients rather than assuming one recipe is better suited to your needs. Picard lists 3.9 g of sugars for its 45 g red fruit, apple and banana lolly. Argel lists around 3.5 g of simple sugars for its 55 g vanilla and chocolate lolly, which also contains sweeteners, milk and soya. Neither of these examples is described here as ‘sugar-free’.

Is a fruit sorbet with no added sugars automatically suitable if I need to avoid an allergen?

No. Auchan’s product information for its strawberry and mango-passion fruit lollies warns that they may contain traces of cereals containing gluten, peanuts and other nuts. Check the ingredients and trace allergen warnings on the packaging of the product you actually buy.

How should I store ice lollies after shopping?

Follow the storage temperature shown on the packaging and put the lollies in the freezer promptly. Don’t refreeze a defrosted product: the Ministry of Agriculture explains that defrosting and then refreezing food can encourage bacteria to multiply.