Parents who regularly make chocolate drinks
A family-sized pack can be useful if you make drinks regularly. Before choosing a large tub, consider how much storage space you have and how you’ll store it after opening.
Who is this guide for?
Families managing an allergy or avoiding certain ingredients
The powder’s recipe, any warnings about traces and the drink used to prepare it must all be suitable for your child. Check the packaging of the product you’re buying, even if you already know the brand.
Parents who want to compare sugar content
The ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g lets you compare powders on a like-for-like basis. To assess a prepared drink, also consider how much powder you use and which drink you add.
What should you check before choosing?
If you need to avoid certain ingredients, start with the ingredients list. Then check the nutritional information and choose a quantity that suits how you’ll use it. The percentages below show the top priority for each group of consumers.
| Criteria | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens and preparation | Read the ingredients list and any warnings about traces, and check the ingredients of the milk or other drink you’ll add. | If my child needs to avoid an ingredient, I want to check both the powder and the drink I’ll prepare it with before buying a large pack. Suitability is the top priority for around 42% of consumers concerned. |
| Sugars | Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g of powder, then consider how much you’ll use in each drink. | To compare what I serve, I need to distinguish the powder’s figures from those for the prepared drink. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this comparison of sugar content. |
| Pack size and storage | Check the net weight, how often you’ll use it and the storage instructions for after opening. | If I make it often, I want a quantity my family will use and can store properly. A family-sized pack is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Expecting every pack to display a Nutri-Score
According to the DGCCRF, Nutri-Score is voluntary. For prepacked foods covered by the rules, the nutrition declaration lets you check sugars, fat and salt, even when the logo isn’t shown.
Compare the figures per 100 g in the nutrition table. Use Nutri-Score as additional information when it’s displayed.
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Buying a large pack before checking the allergens
Recipes vary: Auchan’s listing for Nesquik 1 kg mentions soya, while Carrefour’s listing for Banania Original names wheat and barley, among other ingredients. If milk isn’t listed as an ingredient, you should still check for trace warnings and make sure the drink you add is suitable.
Check the label on the exact pack and product you’re buying before stocking up, especially if your child follows an individual dietary plan.
Brands to consider
These products show how pack sizes and recipes can differ. Always check the label of the specific product you plan to use.
Nesquik
Chocolate drink powder available in 800 g and 1 kg packs. Auchan’s listing for the 1 kg pack states that it contains 23% reduced-fat cocoa.
- The 1 kg pack may suit families who regularly make chocolate drinks.
- The 1 kg recipe listed contains soya lecithin, so check the ingredients on the pack you choose.
Poulain
According to Poulain, its Grand Arôme cocoa powder contains 32% cocoa and is available in 250 g, 450 g and 800 g packs.
- The brand states the cocoa content for this recipe, making it easy to identify precisely.
- Poulain lists 67 g of sugars per 100 g and the warning ‘may contain milk’. Check the label if either of these points will affect your choice.
Banania
Banania lists its Original chocolate powder in 250 g, 400 g and 1 kg packs. Its recipe combines cocoa, cereals, banana and honey.
- The 1 kg pack may suit regular family use.
- Carrefour’s listing for Banania Original mentions wheat and barley, among other ingredients. Also check the pack for warnings about traces of milk and soya.
Carrefour Classic'
KaoMix Carrefour Classic' is a chocolate powder available in a 1 kg tub.
- The pack size may be convenient if you regularly make drinks from a single tub.
- Carrefour’s listing warns that the product may contain traces of milk. Check the label if this is an allergen you need to avoid.
Pack sizes and products available on Joybuy
This selection includes 1 kg packs of powder, a 400 g pack and individual sachets. For school-related use, first choose a recipe and quantity that suit your child. Check with the school about its rules for taking hot drinks in.
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VAN HOUTEN VH2, 34% chocolate powder, 1 kg
The 1 kg pack is suited to families who regularly make chocolate drinks.
The title states 34%; check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging before choosing this product.
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Bananina Original, chocolate powder, 1 kg
This 1 kg pack is a larger-size option for making drinks regularly.
Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack. Don’t confuse this Bananina product with Banania Original, whose recipe is described separately above.
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VAN HOUTEN VH1F 14.7%, cocoa powder, 1 kg
The 1 kg pack may suit regular family use.
The percentage appears in the title, but the information about the cocoa content is contradictory. Check the ingredients for the exact product before buying.
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DAMTUH Pokémon, hot chocolate, 10 sachets of 20 g
The sachets are a good option if you’d rather portion out the powder than open a large tub.
The pack contains 200 g in total, so it’s not a family-sized 1 kg pack. Check the ingredients and nutrition information rather than assuming what it contains from the product name alone.
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BENCO Less Sugar, granulated chocolate powder, 400 g
The 400 g pack lets you choose a smaller quantity than a 1 kg pack.
To compare sugar content, check the ‘of which sugars’ figure on the label rather than relying on the variant name.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nutri-Score compulsory on chocolate powder?
No. According to the DGCCRF, Nutri-Score is voluntary in France. For prepacked foods covered by the rules, check the nutrition declaration to compare sugars, fat and salt per 100 g.
What should I check if a child needs to avoid an allergen?
Read the ingredients list, any highlighted allergens and trace warnings on the exact pack. Also check the milk or other drink used to make the hot chocolate: the powder’s ingredients alone don’t tell you what’s in the drink you’ll serve.
Is a 1 kg pack suitable for every family?
No. It’s most suitable if you regularly use a recipe that meets your family’s needs. Before buying this quantity, check the storage instructions for after opening and make sure you have a suitable place to keep the pack.