When choosing an indulgent ice lolly if you need to avoid an allergen, start with the ingredients list and any ‘may contain’ information for the specific product, rather than relying on terms such as ‘premium’ or ‘vegan’. A plant-based lolly or sorbet may have a different recipe from a chocolate ice cream, but that doesn’t mean it’s suitable for every allergy. Check the packaging of the product you’ve bought before eating it.
If you’re buying for someone with an allergy to milk, tree nuts, peanuts or another ingredient, check the exact product and its ‘may contain’ information. The flavour and brand alone aren’t enough to tell you whether it’s suitable.
A plant-based recipe or sorbet may fit the bill, but you’ll still need to check for milk warnings and any other allergens you need to avoid, particularly soya and tree nuts.
If you’re after chocolate, caramel or added pieces, compare the ingredients in the flavours you like once you’ve ruled out any that contain allergens you need to avoid.
First, identify the allergen you need to avoid, then check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ information separately. In France, the DGCCRF reminds shoppers that allergens in prepacked foods must be highlighted in the ingredients list.
| What matters | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens and traces | Look for the allergen highlighted in the ingredients list, then check the packaging for ‘may contain’ or ‘traces of’ warnings. | If you need to avoid a specific allergen, any stated traces may also affect your choice. Around 50% of consumers put avoiding allergens at the top of their list of concerns. |
| Recipes with no milk as an ingredient | Distinguish between milk not being listed as an ingredient and a warning about traces of milk. Also check for any other allergens you need to avoid. | When choosing a plant-based or fruit-flavoured recipe, some consumers first look for products with no milk among the ingredients. This is reportedly a priority for around 30% of them. |
| Flavour and added pieces | Once you’ve checked for allergens, compare the coatings and added pieces, particularly tree nuts and biscuits. | After ruling out unsuitable recipes, you may be guided by a chocolate coating or a particular flavour. This is reportedly the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
Magnum says that Vegan Almond contains almonds and may contain milk, soya and other tree nuts. The Auchan product page for Magnum Vegan Salted Caramel also warns that it may contain traces of almonds, hazelnuts, milk and soya.
Use the ‘vegan’ label to identify a plant-based recipe, then check the allergens and traces for the exact flavour.
According to Carrefour, Carrefour Extra Mango Sorbet Lollies carry a warning that they may contain traces of eggs, tree nuts, milk, gluten, soya, peanuts and sulphites.
Check both the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ information before choosing a fruit-based recipe.
Carrefour’s ranges include lollies with macadamia nuts, pecans, pistachios and biscuits. These ingredients need particular attention if you need to avoid tree nuts or ingredients found in biscuits.
First rule out unsuitable products, then choose a flavour from the ones that remain.
Chocolate-coated lollies and plant-based recipes to check flavour by flavour.
Ice lollies with added pieces from Carrefour Sensation, plus a mango sorbet lolly from Carrefour Extra.
A range of frozen desserts from ALDI France, including a variety of ice lollies.
These POP FRUIT products let you compare fruit-flavoured sorbet lollies. If you’re shopping with an allergy in mind, check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ information on the packaging of the exact product, rather than relying on the flavour alone.
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Worth comparing if you’re after a lemon lolly rather than a chocolate flavour. Warnings for possible traces of gluten, eggs, peanuts, soya, milk, tree nuts, mustard and sulphites are listed. Check the packaging for the allergen you need to avoid.
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An option to consider if you prefer mango to citrus. Warnings for possible traces of gluten, eggs, peanuts, soya, milk, tree nuts, mustard and sulphites are listed. Check the packaging of the product you buy.
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This pack brings together two fruit flavours. The product information advises people with allergies not to eat it and says it is made in a facility that handles gluten, eggs, soya, peanuts, milk and tree nuts, among other ingredients. Check the packaging too before buying.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a coconut flavour. The recipe contains coconut milk and desiccated coconut; possible traces of milk, tree nuts, soya and other allergens are also listed. Check the full ingredients list on the packaging.
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These two flavours let you compare citrus lollies. The product information advises people with allergies not to eat them and warns of possible traces of gluten, eggs, peanuts, soya, milk, tree nuts, mustard and sulphites. Also check the storage instructions on the packaging.
The DGCCRF reminds shoppers that allergens must be highlighted in the ingredients list on prepacked foods in France. Also check separately for any ‘may contain’ information on the packaging of the product you’ve bought.
Not necessarily: a recipe with no milk among its ingredients may still carry a warning about traces of milk. This applies to Magnum Vegan Almond, according to Magnum, and Magnum Vegan Salted Caramel, according to Auchan. Check for any other listed allergens too.
No. A fruit-based recipe doesn’t guarantee that it’s free from every allergen. For its Carrefour Extra Mango Sorbet Lollies, Carrefour warns of possible traces including milk, tree nuts, peanuts and soya.
Follow the storage instructions for the product you’ve bought. Auchan says to store Magnum Vegan Salted Caramel at −18 °C; Carrefour also advises against refreezing a defrosted product.