People who need to avoid gluten strictly
If anyone in your household must avoid gluten, start by checking that the exact product is labelled “gluten-free”. The DGCCRF stresses the importance of checking this for people with coeliac disease.
Who is this guide for?
Families buying multipacks
The number of ice lollies and the pack size matter if several people will be reaching into the freezer. First check that the product is suitable for a gluten-free diet, then choose a pack size your household will use.
People avoiding other foods too
A “gluten-free” label doesn’t tell you whether a product contains milk, soya or nuts. Check the ingredients and any “may contain” warnings for the flavour and pack you choose.
What should you check before choosing?
| What to check | How to check it | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free label | Look for a “gluten-free” label on the listing or packaging for the exact flavour and pack size, then check the pack you receive again. | If I need to avoid gluten strictly, a recipe that appears to contain no wheat isn’t enough to make my decision. Around 42% of consumers would put this check first. |
| Pack size | Compare the number of ice lollies and the total weight or volume of products labelled “gluten-free”. | If I’m stocking the freezer, I look for a pack size my household will use. Around 33% of consumers would prioritise choosing the right pack size. |
| Other ingredients and serving size | Check the allergen information and any “may contain” warnings. If serving size matters to you, compare the nutritional information per ice lolly. | If I also need to avoid soya or nuts, or choose according to serving size, a gluten-free label alone doesn’t settle the matter. Around 25% of consumers would prioritise these other factors. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing a Mucci ice lolly without checking its gluten-free label
Information about a pack size doesn’t tell you whether its contents are suitable for a gluten-free diet.
For the Mucci ice lollies you’re interested in, check the packaging for the exact product and look for a “gluten-free” label before choosing them.
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Assuming a gluten-free label applies to an entire brand
The Carrefour listings with this label apply to specific Magnum, Solero and Häagen-Dazs products, not every flavour or pack size in their ranges.
Check the flavour and pack size each time you shop.
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Assuming gluten-free means free from other allergens
A product labelled gluten-free may contain milk, soya or nuts, or carry a warning that they may be present.
Once you’ve checked the gluten-free label, read the ingredients and allergen information for anything else you need to avoid.
Brands to know for these products
Magnum
Chocolate-coated ice lollies in a range of recipes, some of which carry a gluten-free label.
- Carrefour listings for Magnum Double Chocolate and Magnum Vegan Almond state “GLUTEN FREE”.
- This label doesn’t apply to every Magnum product. Vegan Almond contains almonds and soya; check its “may contain” warnings too.
Solero
Solero Exotic Fruits combines vanilla ice cream, sauce and exotic fruit sorbet.
- The Carrefour listing for this product states “GLUTEN FREE”.
- This recipe contains milk and lactose, so the gluten-free label doesn’t mean it’s suitable for people avoiding dairy.
Häagen-Dazs
The Vanilla Salted Caramel and Chocolate product is one of the ice lollies whose listing confirms its gluten-free status.
- Its Carrefour listing states “GLUTEN FREE”.
- The recipe contains dairy ingredients, and the listing warns that it may contain nuts.
Mucci
Mucci sells multipacks of ice lollies at Aldi.
- The number of ice lollies and the pack weight make it easier to find a size that suits your household.
- Before choosing a pack for a gluten-free shop, check for the relevant label on the exact product packaging.
Joybuy products
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is a list of ingredients with no wheat enough to choose a gluten-free ice lolly?
No. If you need to avoid gluten strictly, choose a product explicitly labelled “gluten-free”. The DGCCRF stresses the importance of this label for people with coeliac disease, so check it on the exact product.
Is a vegan ice lolly always gluten-free and free from other allergens?
No: these labels answer different questions. Carrefour’s listing for Magnum Vegan Almond says “GLUTEN FREE”, but the recipe contains almonds and soya. Check the pack for any “may contain” warnings too.
Can you rely on Lidl to have a permanent gluten-free range?
No. Lidl says gluten-free products aren’t part of its permanent range and are available during occasional promotions. For ice lollies, check that the product you want is available and carries a gluten-free label when you shop.
How should you store ice lollies after buying them?
Follow the instructions on the packaging for the product you’ve bought. Carrefour’s listing for Solero Exotic Fruits says to store it at −18 °C; don’t assume the same applies to another product without checking its packaging.