Who is this choice for?

Parents keeping an eye on added sugars

You’re looking for an ice lolly labelled ‘no added sugars’, while also wanting to know how much sugar comes from the fruit and how much your child will be eating.

People who need to check for allergens

If a child has an allergy or you’re planning a shared snack, check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings for the product you’re buying. Don’t rely on the product name alone.

Families choosing between different recipes

You’re comparing a fruit ice lolly, a sorbet containing sweeteners and a plant-based ice cream. You can’t tell what they contain or how much sugar they have just from their category.

What should you check?

When choosing an ice lolly for a child, first decide whether your main concern is added sugars, allergens or the type of recipe. Then compare the labels of products that meet your criteria.

Fruit ice lolly with no added sugars

Consider this: if you’re specifically looking for no added sugars and are happy with the sugars naturally present in fruit.

Bear in mind: ‘no added sugars’ doesn’t mean ‘sugar-free’. Auchan’s product information for the Strawberry ice lolly states that each 60 g lolly contains 10 g of sugars and may contain traces of gluten, peanuts and other nuts.

Sorbet with sweeteners

Consider this: if you’re happy for your chosen recipe to contain sweeteners.

Bear in mind: Auchan’s product information for Mes Petites Folies Strawberry Sorbet lists maltitol and erythritol. Check the ingredients list rather than assuming this sorbet is like a fruit ice lolly with no sweeteners.

Plant-based ice cream

Consider this: if this is the type of ice cream you’re looking for, but don’t assume it has no added sugars.

Bear in mind: Magnum says its Vegan Almond x3 product contains sweetening ingredients and almonds, and may contain milk, soya and other nuts.

Criteria What to check Who it matters to
Added sugars Check the exact wording, then look at the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g and per portion, if given. If I’m looking for an ice lolly with no added sugars for a child, I also want to know how much sugar is in the portion I’ll serve. Around 40% of consumers are said to make this distinction their top priority.
Allergens Check the allergens in the ingredients list and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the pack you buy. If a child has an allergy or you’re planning a shared snack, I need to rule out any product whose ingredients or ‘may contain’ warnings aren’t suitable. Allergen suitability is said to be the priority for around 30% of consumers.
Type of recipe Look for fruit, any sweeteners and sweetening ingredients; don’t assume ‘plant-based’ means ‘no added sugars’. Before choosing, I want to decide whether a fruit recipe, a sorbet with sweeteners or a plant-based ice cream is what I’m looking for. Around 30% of consumers are said to put their choice of recipe first.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Confusing ‘no added sugars’ with ‘sugar-free’

    This claim doesn’t tell you the total amount of sugars. According to Auchan’s product information, its Strawberry ice lolly with no added sugars contains 10 g of sugars per 60 g portion.

    Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure with the portion you plan to serve.

  • Assuming ‘vegan’ means allergen-free

    According to Magnum, Vegan Almond x3 contains almonds and may contain traces of milk, soya and other nuts.

    If the child has a known allergy, check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the pack you buy.

  • Assuming all sorbets are made without sweeteners

    The Mes Petites Folies Strawberry Sorbet featured by Auchan contains maltitol and erythritol, unlike the fruit-based recipe described for Auchan’s Strawberry ice lolly.

    Decide whether sweeteners fit your buying criteria, then check the ingredients list to see if they’re included.

  • Forgetting to keep it frozen on the way home

    Auchan’s product information for its Strawberry ice lolly says to store it at −18 °C and not to refreeze it after thawing.

    Plan how you’ll transport frozen food and follow the instructions on the pack you buy.

Brands and products to know

These examples relate to specific products. A claim or ingredient list for one product doesn’t apply to the whole brand.

Auchan

The product information for its Strawberry ice lolly describes a pack of four lollies, weighing 240 g in total, labelled ‘no added sugars’.

  • The recipe described includes strawberry purée and fruit juices; the nutrition table lists 17 g of sugars per 100 g.
  • This product may contain traces of gluten, peanuts and other nuts.

Mes Petites Folies

The Strawberry Sorbet featured on Auchan’s product page is an example of a recipe made with sweeteners.

  • Its ingredients list makes it easy to spot maltitol and erythritol.
  • If you want to avoid sweeteners, this product won’t meet that criterion. Also check the allergen information on the pack you buy.

Magnum

Magnum describes Vegan Almond x3 as a plant-based vanilla ice cream with chocolate and almond pieces.

  • The product information lists 25 g of sugars per 100 g and 18 g per 72 g portion, so you can compare the figures given for this product.
  • It contains almonds and may contain milk, soya and other nuts. Being plant-based doesn’t mean it has no added sugars.

Joybuy products

Products related to this topic will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘no added sugars’ mean ‘sugar-free’?

No. Under European Union Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the claim ‘no added sugars’ refers to sugars or foods added for their sweetening properties. The product may still contain sugars. Auchan’s product information for its Strawberry ice lolly, which carries this claim, lists 17 g of sugars per 100 g.

Is vegan ice cream always suitable for a child with a milk allergy?

No. The word ‘vegan’ alone isn’t enough to tell you whether a product is suitable for someone with an allergy. Magnum says Vegan Almond x3 may contain milk, soya and other nuts. Check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the exact pack you’re buying.

Can a sorbet with no added sugar contain sweeteners?

Yes. Auchan’s product information for Mes Petites Folies Strawberry Sorbet lists maltitol and erythritol. If their presence matters to your choice, check the ingredients list.

How should you store ice lollies after shopping?

Follow the instructions on the pack you buy and plan your journey to keep the product frozen. Auchan’s product information for its Strawberry ice lolly says to store it at −18 °C and not to refreeze it after thawing.