Who should consider these criteria?

Parents who check sugar claims

You want to tell ‘sugar-free’ and ‘no added sugars’ apart before choosing ice lollies for an activity or dessert with children.

Families who need to avoid milk

You need to check the recipe for each variety and the allergens highlighted on its label, including when you choose a different flavour or format.

Anyone preparing a dessert to share

You compare pack sizes and mini formats to plan the activity, without making assumptions about the ingredients from an assortment or its packaging.

What should you check before buying?

‘Sugar-free’

Choose this if: this is the specific claim you’re looking for on the ice lollies served to children.

Bear in mind: a sweet-tasting recipe may contain sweeteners, so read the ingredients list.

‘No added sugars’

Choose this if: you want to avoid added sugars, while accepting that the ingredients may contain sugars naturally.

Bear in mind: this claim does not mean ‘sugar-free’.

Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, published in the Official Journal of the European Union, the claim ‘no added sugars’ excludes, among other things, the addition of monosaccharides or disaccharides. To compare different boxes, start with the claim that meets your needs, then check the exact recipe.

Criteria What to check Who is it for?
Sugar claim Look for the exact claim on the box, then compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g or 100 ml and, if the sizes differ, per portion. If I’m looking for ‘sugar-free’, I don’t want to confuse this claim with ‘no added sugars’; around 42% of consumers would prioritise this distinction.
Ingredients and allergens Read the ingredients list and check which allergens are highlighted on each product, as well as any relevant ‘may contain’ statements. If a child needs to avoid milk, I check the recipe before offering them an ice lolly; allergen management would be the main concern for around 33% of consumers.
Pack size for sharing Compare the number of ice lollies and portion sizes; check with the retailer that your chosen pack is available. When serving several children, I look for a box with enough ice lollies for the activity; around 25% of consumers would prioritise this planning criterion.

Mistakes to avoid

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

    A recipe with no added sugars may still contain sugars from its ingredients. So the claim alone doesn’t tell you how much sugar the product contains.

    Choose the claim that matches your aim, then check ‘of which sugars’ in the nutritional information on the box.

  • Assuming allergens from the type of ice lolly

    Two ice lollies can have different ingredients, even if they look similar in format. The DGCCRF states that allergenic ingredients in prepacked foods must be listed and highlighted.

    Check the label for the exact product and flavour you’ve chosen, particularly for milk and any ‘may contain traces’ statements you need to take into account.

  • Treating a shelf filter as confirmation

    A ‘no added sugars’ filter can help you find products, but it doesn’t replace reading the label on the box you choose.

    Before buying, check the claim, ingredients, allergens and number of ice lollies on the specific product page or packaging.

Retailers and brands to consider

Carrefour

The ice lolly aisle can help you find different pack sizes to compare.

  • Carrefour’s search for ‘ice lollies’ offers a ‘No added sugars’ filter.
  • Check the claim and ingredients on the product you choose: the filter doesn’t replace its label.

Auchan

The ice lolly and mini ice lolly range lets you compare the formats on offer.

  • Mini ice lollies offer a different format to consider for a dessert to share.
  • A mini format or ‘Organic’ claim doesn’t, by itself, tell you about sugars or allergens.

ALDI / MUCCI

ALDI offers MUCCI ice lollies, including boxes of mini ice lollies.

  • The number of ice lollies listed on some boxes can help you plan for sharing.
  • Check the recipe and availability of your chosen box rather than relying on how it looks on the shelf.

Magnum

The Magnum Mini Double Chocolate product shows why it’s important to check the recipe of a classic ice lolly before choosing it for a sugar-free option.

  • Magnum France lists the ingredients and nutritional values for this product.
  • According to Magnum France, Mini Double Chocolate contains sugar, glucose syrup and 32 g of sugars per 100 g. It contains milk and may contain soya and almonds; these details don’t apply to the whole range.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

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

No, these claims aren’t equivalent. Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 governs the ‘no added sugars’ claim, excluding, among other things, the addition of monosaccharides or disaccharides. To find out how much sugar the ice lolly you’ve chosen contains, also check the ‘of which sugars’ line.

Is a supermarket’s ‘No added sugars’ filter enough?

No, it helps you find products to check. Carrefour offers this filter in its ice lolly search; then confirm the claim and ingredients on the product page or packaging for the specific box.

How can I check whether an ice lolly contains milk?

Read the ingredients list for the exact product and look for highlighted allergens. The DGCCRF confirms this labelling rule for prepacked foods; also check for any relevant statements about traces for the child concerned.

Can a sugar-free recipe contain a sweetener?

Yes. Looking for a sugar claim doesn’t mean you can skip the ingredients list. Anses describes intense sweeteners as additives that give foods a sweet taste; check which ones, if any, are included in the recipe you choose.

Is Nutri-Score enough to choose these ice lollies?

No, it doesn’t replace the sugar claim you’re looking for, the nutritional information or the allergen list. Santé publique France describes Nutri-Score as a tool to help you choose; for this activity, also check the ingredients and portion size for each product.