When you’re on holiday with children, start with a small pot of plain Greek-style yoghurt if your child hasn’t tried that particular one before. A description such as ‘delicate flavour’ doesn’t guarantee they’ll like it. Check the ingredients and look for milk, then choose a size you can transport and keep chilled in line with the storage instructions on the label.
If your child doesn’t like some plain yoghurts, descriptions of texture and flavour can help you choose one to try. Preferences are personal: picking one your child already likes at home means you won’t have to take a chance on a large multipack straight away.
For a journey or a stay in a holiday rental, plan how you’ll keep the yoghurt chilled during transport, make room for it in the fridge and eat it before the use-by date on the pots. The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (Anses) recommends keeping chilled foods out of the fridge for as little time as possible and using an insulated bag.
Ingredient lists help you see which products are made with milk, cream and cultures, and what else they may contain. The ingredients in the product you choose matter more than its flavour description alone.
When you’re on holiday with children, start with a flavour your child likes, then check that the pack size, storage requirements and ingredients will work for your trip. The word ‘mild’ alone tells you none of these things.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour and whether your child likes it | Compare the flavour descriptions for the exact product and let your child try it before buying a large multipack. A creamy texture doesn’t tell you how tangy it will taste. | If my child is quick to refuse plain yoghurt, I’d rather try a few pots before we leave; around 42% of shoppers would put this question of whether their child will like it first. |
| Transport and pack size | Check the use-by date, the storage temperature on the packaging and whether you can keep the pots chilled during the journey and once you arrive. | If snacks will be eaten at different times during the stay, I need to be able to keep the portions chilled and open them as needed; around 33% of shoppers would prioritise chilling and pack size. |
| Ingredients | Read the ingredients list and check the milk allergen information on the specific product; compare the nutritional information if it matters to your choice. | If I need to check the ingredients before buying, I can’t rely on a promise of a mild flavour; around 25% of shoppers would put the recipe and presence of milk first. |
A use-by date doesn’t make up for the cold chain being broken. The French consumer affairs and fraud agency (DGCCRF) explains that a product may become unsafe to eat if the cold chain has been broken.
Buy chilled yoghurt at the end of your shop, transport it in a cool box or insulated bag, then put it in the fridge as soon as you arrive.
‘Mild’ describes how a flavour comes across, not the ingredients. The plain recipes we looked at contain milk and may also include cream or milk powder, depending on the product.
Check the label on the pot you buy, including the ingredients, milk allergen information and nutritional values, rather than relying on the product description alone.
A description of texture or mildness can’t tell you whether a child will enjoy the product. If they don’t like it, you’re then left with more pots than you need.
Try a small portion first. If your child likes it and you have enough fridge space, you can then consider buying a larger multipack.
Extra pots could end up going to waste.
Carrefour lists Danone plain Greek-style yoghurt in a pack of 4 × 110 g pots, a size worth considering if you’d like to try it in smaller portions.
The plain Greek-style yoghurt is sold in a pack of 4 × 150 g pots and contains whole milk, cream, skimmed milk powder and live cultures.
Auchan lists plain Greek-style yoghurt in a pack of 8 × 125 g pots, which may be worth considering if you’ll be getting through several portions during your stay.
E.Leclerc lists Delisse plain Greek-style yoghurt in formats including 4 × 150 g and 8 × 125 g.
Lidl lists Eridanous Greek-style yoghurt and describes it as having a ‘hint of sweetness’.
Yes, as long as you keep it chilled during the journey. Anses recommends using an insulated bag and keeping transport time to a minimum. Once you arrive, follow the storage temperature shown on the packaging.
The use-by date alone doesn’t tell you: you also need to follow the storage instructions. The DGCCRF says that a break in the cold chain can make a product unsafe to eat, even before its use-by date.
No. This description can’t predict what each child will like, and it doesn’t by itself tell you how mild the yoghurt will taste. Trying a small portion can help you decide before buying a larger multipack.
No. French Health Insurance distinguishes between a food allergy and an intolerance; the terms aren’t interchangeable. If the presence of milk affects your choice, check the label on the exact product rather than relying on its texture or flavour.