If keeping fat to a minimum is your priority, start by comparing water or fruit ice lollies, checking the nutrition information per 100 g and per portion. An individual format makes it easier to see how much you’re having, but it doesn’t tell you everything about the recipe. Check the sugars, ingredients and allergens too, along with any personal dietary restrictions that apply to you.
A fruity flavour and a small size don’t tell you everything about the nutritional values. Of two Auchan products, the fruit water ice lolly contains less than 0.5 g of fat per 100 g, compared with 20 g per 100 g for the vanilla and almond ice lolly.
An ice lolly makes it easy to see the portion you’ve chosen, without serving yourself from a tub. Check the weight and nutritional values on the specific product you buy: individual recipes don’t all have the same ingredients.
If you need to avoid certain ingredients, read the list and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the specific product. The DGCCRF reminds food businesses that allergens must be highlighted on the labels of prepacked foods.
When choosing an individual ice lolly, compare fat content on a like-for-like basis, then check the values per portion. The ingredients list may also affect your choice if certain substances are a concern for you.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fat | Compare fat and saturated fat using the same unit, then check the value per ice lolly. | I want to keep fat to a minimum without relying on the flavour alone; around 50% of consumers would put this first. |
| Individual portion | Check the number of lollies, the weight or volume of each one and, if shown on the label, the values per portion. | I like to know how much is in an ice lolly before planning an icy treat; around 30% of consumers would prioritise a set portion. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list, highlighted allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings for the product you’re buying. | If I need to avoid an ingredient, its presence matters more than the flavour or format; around 20% of consumers would prioritise the ingredients. |
A fruity ice lolly can still contain creamy ice cream. Carrefour lists 2.3 g of fat per 90 ml Solero Exotic Fruits ice lolly, while Auchan lists less than 0.5 g per 100 g for its fruit water ice lollies. These figures use different units.
Check the ‘fat’ line and the portion size rather than judging by the flavour alone.
The portion is set, but the ingredients still matter. Auchan lists 15 g of fat for a 78 g vanilla and almond ice lolly.
If you want to keep fat to a minimum, compare the value per ice lolly before choosing a coating for its flavour.
Auchan’s fruit water ice lollies contain less than 0.5 g of fat per 100 g, but also 18 g of sugars per 100 g, according to Auchan.
If sugars are also a factor in your choice, check the ‘of which sugars’ line and the values per portion.
Depending on the recipe, the ice lollies reviewed contain allergens or carry warnings about possible traces. The storage instructions on the Auchan products reviewed specify −18 °C and say not to refreeze after thawing.
Check the information on the pack you buy and follow its transport and storage instructions.
The same brand can offer very different recipes, so compare individual products rather than choosing by supermarket name alone.
Two different recipes to compare: fruit water ice lollies and coated vanilla and almond ice lollies.
The Exotic Fruits product combines vanilla ice cream, fruit sauce and a sorbet coating.
The Almond recipe reviewed is a vanilla ice lolly with a chocolate coating and almonds.
An ice cream brand sold by ALDI, including ice lollies and mini ice lollies.
These multipacks of ice lollies and individual sorbets let you choose a flavour and portion size. To meet your goal of keeping fat to a minimum, compare the nutritional information for each product before you buy.
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This pack contains four individual mango sorbet ice lollies, with a total weight of 280 g. Check the fat and sugars content, as well as any allergen information, on the packaging.
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This pack of individual ice lollies comes in orange and cherry flavours and contains twelve ice lollies, weighing 444 g in total. Check the nutritional values per portion and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the packaging.
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This pack contains eight mini ice lollies, with a total weight of 280 g, in lemon and blood orange sorbet flavours. Compare the nutritional information for both flavours and check the allergen information.
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If you fancy a melon ice lolly, this pack contains eight 70 ml portions. Check the fat content per portion and the ingredients list before comparing it with sorbets.
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This pack contains four 90 ml portions of individual ice lollies combining fruit and ice cream. The recipe contains milk and lactose; check the fat content per ice lolly and the ingredients on the product you buy.
No. The flavour alone doesn’t tell you how much fat an ice lolly contains. Auchan lists less than 0.5 g per 100 g for its fruit water ice lollies, while Carrefour lists 2.3 g per 90 ml ice lolly for Solero Exotic Fruits, which combines fruit and vanilla ice cream. Check the value and its unit on each pack.
Check both. Using the same unit, such as 100 g, helps you compare recipes, while the value per ice lolly tells you about the portion you’ve chosen. If another product only gives values per 100 ml, don’t compare them directly with values per 100 g.
Read the highlighted allergens in the ingredients list and check for any ‘may contain’ warnings on the exact product. Depending on the product, the recipes reviewed list milk, almonds and soya, or warn that traces of peanuts and other nuts may be present. The DGCCRF reminds food businesses that allergens must be highlighted on prepacked foods.
Follow the instructions on the pack you buy and put the products in the freezer as soon as possible. The packaging for the Auchan products reviewed says to store them at −18 °C and not to refreeze after thawing.