Families preparing several afternoon snacks
A powder that can be stored in a dry place and unopened UHT milk make it easier to plan your shopping in advance. Once the milk is open, follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
Who are these choices for?
Parents keeping an eye on sugar in each mug
To compare two powders, check the sugar per 100 g, then consider how much you use and which milk you choose. The figures for the powder alone don’t tell you what’s in the prepared drink.
Households managing lactose or allergens
Check the milk and powder separately. Lactose-free milk tells you nothing about milk proteins or the cereals in the powder.
What should you look for in an afternoon snack?
Choose milk according to how you plan to store it, then compare powders on an equal-quantity basis before looking at the complete drink recipe.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar and ingredients | Compare the sugar per 100 g in similar powders, then check the amount used with milk. | If I’m keeping an eye on what goes into an afternoon snack, I want to distinguish the figures for the powder from those for the mug I serve. Around 33% of consumers would make this a priority. |
| Recipe and taste | Read the ingredients and the stated cocoa content; check the sugar too, as this is separate from the cocoa. | To get the taste I remember from an afternoon snack, I can choose between a cereal-based recipe and one that focuses more on cocoa. This would be a priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Milk storage | For milk you plan to store unopened, look for the UHT label; then check the pack size and storage instructions once opened. | When I’m planning several afternoon snacks, I want to buy a pack size that suits the number of mugs I’ll be serving. Around 27% of consumers would make this their main consideration. |
| Lactose and allergens | Check whether the milk is labelled lactose-free and, separately, check the powder’s ingredients and allergen information. | If someone in my household needs to avoid an ingredient, checking that every component is suitable comes before taste or storage. Around 13% of consumers would make this check a priority. |
Common misconceptions to avoid
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Assuming Nutri-Score is compulsory
According to Santé publique France, producers can choose whether to display Nutri-Score. Its absence alone doesn’t tell you whether a powder or milk is a good choice.
When it is shown, use it as an additional guide when comparing products in the same category. Also check the nutritional information, ingredients and serving size.
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Assuming ‘microfiltered’ means ‘UHT’
These terms describe different characteristics. Carrefour, for example, lists one microfiltered product in the chilled aisle and another UHT-sterilised product for longer storage.
If you’re shopping for several afternoon snacks, check the type of milk and its storage instructions before and after opening.
Buying milk that needs to be kept chilled when you’re stocking up your cupboard could mean you don’t use it in time.
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Judging sugar content by the cocoa content alone
Poulain states that Grand Arôme contains 32% cocoa and 67 g of sugar per 100 g. Banania states that Original contains 69 g of sugar per 100 g: cocoa and sugar are two separate pieces of information.
Compare the figures per 100 g for chocolate powders, then check how much you use in each mug.
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Assuming ‘lactose-free’ covers every allergen concern
The lactose content of milk doesn’t tell you about other ingredients in an afternoon snack. Banania Original contains wheat and barley, among other ingredients; Poulain Grand Arôme carries a ‘may contain milk’ warning.
Check the current labels on both the milk and the powder for any ingredients your household needs to avoid.
Brands to know
Banania
Banania Original is a chocolate powder combining cocoa, cereals, banana and honey.
- The brand recommends preparing it with 15 g of powder and 200 ml of semi-skimmed milk.
- Banania states that the powder contains 69 g of sugar per 100 g; the recipe includes wheat, barley and malted wheat.
Poulain
Poulain’s product information states that Grand Arôme cocoa powder contains 32% cocoa.
- The cocoa content and ingredients list let you look beyond the product name to see what’s in the recipe.
- Poulain states that it contains 67 g of sugar per 100 g and carries a ‘may contain milk’ warning.
Lactel
An Auchan listing features Lactel UHT whole milk in 50 cl packs, which you can pair with a chocolate powder to suit your needs.
- The 50 cl pack lets you choose how much milk to open according to the number of afternoon snacks you have planned.
- For this product, Auchan says to keep it at a maximum of 6 °C once opened and to use it within three days.
Powders and mixes available on Joybuy
These powders and mixes give you a choice of chocolate base for an afternoon snack. To make a mug that suits your needs, also consider the milk you use, how much powder you add and the information on each pack.
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Poulain Cocoa with Rich Flavor, 450 g
A chocolate powder to consider if you’d like to compare recipes with a cocoa-forward flavour. The pack contains 450 g; check the packaging for sugar content, the amount per mug and allergen information.
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Benco Less Sugar chocolate granules, 400 g
A granulated option for making hot chocolate at home. The pack contains 400 g; compare the sugar content on the packaging with that of other powders, rather than relying on the product name to tell you what’s in your mug.
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Van Houten VH1F 14.7% cocoa powder, 1 kg
This cocoa powder is suitable for a recipe where you want to choose the other ingredients yourself. The pack contains 1 kg; check the preparation instructions before using it in place of a ready-to-measure chocolate powder.
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Van Houten VH2 34% chocolate powder, 1 kg
A 1 kg pack to consider if you make hot chocolate regularly. To compare this powder with other recipes, check the sugar per 100 g, the amount per mug and the allergen information on the packaging.
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DAMTUH Pokémon hot chocolate, 10 sachets of 20 g
The 20 g sachets make it easy to choose an individual serving. Before relying on any sugar claim, check the nutritional table and ingredients list on the packaging; remember to check the allergen information too.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nutri-Score compulsory on chocolate powder or milk?
No, its display is voluntary in France, according to Santé publique France. If it appears on the packaging, it can help you compare products in the same category; also check the nutritional information, ingredients and prepared serving.
Does the tax on sugary drinks tell you which powder to choose?
No, it doesn’t tell you how much sugar is in a serving of powder. The provisions outlined by Légifrance cover drinks and liquid drink preparations. Don’t assume that dry powder mixed with milk at home falls into the same category; instead, compare the nutritional information.
Should you choose UHT or microfiltered milk to store for afternoon snacks?
If your priority is storing milk before opening, look for a product labelled UHT and follow its storage instructions. The term ‘microfiltered’ isn’t enough: Carrefour, for example, lists a microfiltered milk in the chilled aisle, separate from its long-life UHT product.
Is lactose-free milk enough if you need to avoid dairy products?
No, ‘lactose-free’ describes one characteristic of the milk, not whether the whole afternoon snack is suitable. Check the ingredients and allergens in the powder separately; Banania Original, for example, contains wheat and barley.