For a baby under one, don’t buy a box of 80 hot chocolate sachets as a weaning drink: according to Anses, everyday drinks cannot replace breast milk or infant formula. If you’re buying for the rest of the household, check the sugars, allergens and actual number of sachets or servings before choosing a large pack.
If you’re considering hot chocolate for your baby, remember that weaning is different from replacing milk. Assurance Maladie points out that milk remains the basis of your baby’s diet before their first birthday. Anses also explains that everyday drinks cannot replace breast milk or infant formula.
If the hot chocolate is for the rest of the family, keep it separate from your baby’s diet. When choosing a large pack, compare the sugar content, serving size and stated number of portions.
If you’re buying for household members who drink hot chocolate, don’t mistake a ‘less sugar’ powder for unsweetened cocoa. Compare the nutritional information for the exact product and the amount used per mug.
First, decide who the drink is for. If you’re buying it for the family and not for your baby, take a closer look at the ingredients and pack size.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Baby’s age | Your child’s age and how you plan to use the product: as a drink for your baby or for the rest of the household. | For a baby under one, I want to make sure hot chocolate doesn’t replace their milk during weaning; around 50% of shoppers make this their priority. |
| Sugars | Sugars per 100 g and the amount of powder used per mug; distinguish sweetened cocoa powder from unsweetened cocoa. | If the drink is for older family members, I want to be able to tell the difference between a less sweet recipe and unsweetened cocoa; around 30% of shoppers put this comparison first. |
| Pack size and allergens | Number of sachets or servings, stated serving size and allergen information for the product you choose. | For the family’s drinks, I want a pack size that suits how much we consume, without overlooking allergens; around 20% of shoppers prioritise this first. |
Introducing foods gradually doesn’t make hot chocolate a suitable replacement drink for a baby under one. Assurance Maladie points out that milk remains the basis of your baby’s diet, while Anses advises against using everyday drinks as substitutes for breast milk or infant formula.
If you’re thinking of changing your baby’s drinks or milk, ask their healthcare professional for advice rather than choosing a chocolate powder for this purpose.
According to Chocolat Poulain’s product information, Grand Arôme Moins de Sucres contains 52 g of sugars per 100 g, compared with 67 g for classic Grand Arôme. The comparative claim doesn’t mean the powder is sugar-free.
Compare the sugars per 100 g for the exact products, then take into account how much powder you use in each mug.
The DGCCRF explains that displaying the Nutri-Score is voluntary, while a nutrition declaration is compulsory for most prepacked foods. If a logo appears on the packaging, it doesn’t replace checking the ingredients and allergen information.
Check the nutritional information, including sugars per 100 g, as well as the ingredients list on the box you choose.
A stated number of servings doesn’t necessarily mean the same number of individual sachets. At Auchan, one Nesquik product contains 12 sticks, while a 960 g pouch is listed as making 74 servings. The packaging and serving size affect how you use the product.
If you’re specifically looking for 80 sachets for the rest of the household, check the number of individual units, the amount of powder per mug and the best-before date on the packaging.
Cocoa powders available in formats including individual sticks and family-size pouches.
The classic Grand Arôme and Grand Arôme Moins de Sucres powders let you compare two recipes from the range.
Banania Original chocolate powder includes cocoa and cereals.
The brand’s chocolate powders include a Carrefour Bio product.
The range includes unsweetened 100% cocoa and an intense chocolate powder containing 32% cocoa.
No, not for a baby under one. Assurance Maladie points out that milk remains the basis of your baby’s diet, and Anses explains that everyday drinks aren’t suitable substitutes for breast milk or infant formula.
No. In France, the DGCCRF describes the Nutri-Score as a voluntary label, while a nutrition declaration is compulsory for most prepacked foods. Compare sugars per 100 g in this table, whether or not the product carries a Nutri-Score logo.
Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the exact packaging you’re buying. Recipes vary: Poulain says that Grand Arôme may contain milk; Banania warns that its product contains cereals containing gluten and may contain traces of milk and soya; and Auchan’s 100% cocoa product information lists several possible traces.
Check that the number shown refers to individual sachets, then look at the serving size and who the drink is for. The Nesquik products listed by Auchan include 12 sticks or a 960 g pouch stated to make 74 servings: a stated serving isn’t necessarily an individual sachet.