Who are these formats for?

People stocking up for an office or a large household

If drinks need to be handed out one at a time, check how many sachets there are and how much each one weighs. A high total weight does not guarantee individual portions.

People keeping an eye on sugar at breakfast

Compare the sugar per 100 g of powder, then factor in the amount used and the milk added to each drink. The DGCCRF distinguishes between the nutrition declaration required for prepacked foods, subject to applicable exemptions, and the voluntary Nutri-Score.

Families looking for a particular recipe

The proportion of cocoa, the presence of cereals and the flavourings vary between products. If the drink will be shared, check the ingredients and allergens for the product you choose, too.

What should you check?

240 individual sachets

Choose this if: every drink needs to be pre-portioned for distribution.

Check: the total weight does not confirm how many sachets there are or how much each one weighs.

Large pack of powder to measure out

Choose this if: someone can measure out the powder for each drink.

Bear in mind: the number of drinks depends on the serving size and does not correspond to a set number of sachets.

For an office or large household at back-to-school time, start by considering how you want to serve the drinks, then look at the recipe and storage instructions.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Portioning Number of sachets and the weight of each one; for powder, the stated serving size per drink. To hand out ready-portioned servings without measuring the powder each time, you need a genuinely individually packed product. This would be the top priority for around 36% of consumers.
Sugar Nutrition information per 100 g, the amount of powder used and the ingredients in the prepared drink. When comparing the sugar in two recipes, I want to take into account how much powder actually goes into the cup. Around 29% of consumers would put this comparison first.
Recipe and ingredients Proportion of cocoa, ingredients list and allergens for the product you choose. If several people will be sharing the powder, I want to choose a recipe that suits them and spot any ingredients to avoid. Around 21% of consumers would put this need first.
Storage and restocking Number of drinks based on the serving size, best-before date and storage instructions. If the powder needs to last for several weeks, I want to know how many drinks the pack will make and how to store it. This would be the main consideration for around 14% of consumers.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Assuming 1 kg of powder equals 240 sachets

    Auchan’s product details for Banania 1 kg specify a 15 g serving for 20 cl of milk and confirm that it does not come in individual sachets. At this serving size, 1 kg makes around 67 drinks, not 240 pre-portioned servings.

    If individual portions are essential, check the number of sachets and the weight of each one on the exact pack you are buying.

  • Expecting every pack to show a Nutri-Score

    According to the DGCCRF, the Nutri-Score is voluntary. Its absence does not, by itself, mean that the labelling is non-compliant.

    To compare recipes, read the nutrition information on the same basis, particularly the sugar per 100 g, then check the serving size used to prepare the drink.

  • Automatically assuming a tax on sugary drinks applies to powder

    In its guidance dated 30 December 2019, BOFiP-Impôts describes a levy on non-alcoholic drinks that are ready to consume and contain added sugars. That description alone is not enough to automatically classify powder prepared with milk in the same way.

    When choosing a powder, check its ingredients, sugar content and preparation method without making assumptions about its tax treatment.

  • Choosing a recipe without checking the ingredients

    The Banania 1 kg recipe listed by Auchan contains, among other things, wheat and barley. You cannot tell what is in a product just from the words “hot chocolate”.

    Before placing an order for several people, check the ingredients and allergens for the exact product.

Brands to know when comparing recipes

Nesquik

The range includes a “Less Sugar” 350 g tub listed by Carrefour, as well as larger packs of powder.

  • These formats let you compare different pack sizes and recipes.
  • The product name and tub weight do not confirm that it contains 240 sachets.

Poulain

Auchan’s product details include Grand Arôme in an 800 g pack with 32% cocoa, and a 680 g product containing 47% low-fat cocoa powder.

  • The stated cocoa proportions help you tell these two products apart.
  • The product details for the 800 g pack state 66 g of sugar per 100 g. Check the figures for each recipe rather than assuming they apply to the whole range.

Banania

The 1 kg product listed by Auchan is powder to be measured out, made with cocoa and cereals, among other ingredients.

  • The stated serving size of 15 g for 20 cl of milk lets you calculate how many drinks you want to make.
  • The product details confirm that it contains no individual sachets, and list wheat and barley, as well as 69 g of sugar per 100 g.

P'TIT DELI

The 1 kg chocolate-flavoured instant drink from Marque Repère, listed by E.Leclerc, contains 21% low-fat cocoa powder.

  • Its product details show a Nutri-Score B, which should be considered alongside the rest of the nutrition information.
  • This 1 kg pack should not be mistaken for a box of 240 sachets.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Nutri-Score compulsory on prepacked chocolate powder in France?

No. According to the DGCCRF, the Nutri-Score is voluntary, while a nutrition declaration is required for prepacked foods, subject to applicable exemptions. Check the “sugars” line in particular when comparing products.

Does the tax on sugary drinks automatically apply to hot chocolate powder?

No. You should not assume that it applies to powder that needs to be prepared. BOFiP-Impôts guidance dated 30 December 2019 covers non-alcoholic drinks that are ready to consume and contain added sugars. Whether a specific product falls within the rules depends on its characteristics and the other applicable conditions.

How can you tell whether a large pack will make 240 cups?

Divide the net weight of the powder by the stated serving size for one cup. Using the 15 g serving size listed in Auchan’s product details for Banania, 1 kg makes around 67 drinks; that is not the same as 240 individual sachets.

How should you store chocolate powder bought for back to school?

Follow the instructions on the pack you choose. Auchan’s product details for the Poulain products mentioned say to store them away from moisture and heat. Check the best-before date, too, before stocking up.