People looking for a “sugar-free” claim
You want to distinguish a very low sugar content from simply having no added sugars. According to Anses, the threshold for the “sugar-free” claim is less than 0.5 g per 100 g or 100 ml.
Who are these criteria for?
People avoiding added sugars
You’re happy with sugars that occur naturally in fruit ingredients, but want to choose a lolly labelled “no added sugar”. The “of which sugars” line is still useful when comparing recipes.
People checking for allergens and traces
Check the label on the specific product before choosing. The product information for Auchan’s mango and passion fruit and strawberry lollies, for example, warns that they may contain traces of cereals containing gluten, peanuts and other nuts.
What should you check before choosing?
If you’re picking up an ice lolly while shopping to enjoy during a revision break later, first decide whether you’re looking at total sugars or added sugars. Then check the serving size, ingredients and allergen information for the product you choose.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| “Sugar-free” | Look for the exact claim and the “of which sugars” value per 100 g or 100 ml. According to Anses, the threshold for the “sugar-free” claim is less than 0.5 g. | If you’re looking for a very low sugar content, “no added sugar” won’t meet your needs. Around 36% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Added sugars | Check the claim, ingredients and “of which sugars” value per 100 g and per lolly. | For a fruity break, you may be happy with sugars from the ingredients while still wanting to avoid added sugars; around 46% of consumers would put this distinction first. |
| Allergens and traces | Check the allergens listed and any possible traces on the packaging of the specific lolly. | If an allergen warning affects your choice, the fruit flavour alone isn’t enough to help you decide. Around 9% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Serving size and storage | Compare the weight and sugars per lolly, then follow the storage instructions provided. | If you’re planning to have a lolly during a revision break, you’ll want to know how much is in one serving and how to store it properly; around 9% of consumers would prioritise this aspect. |
Common misconceptions to avoid
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Assuming “no added sugar” means “sugar-free”
The two claims don’t mean the same thing. Auchan’s product information for its mango and passion fruit and strawberry lollies lists 19 g and 17 g of sugars per 100 g respectively, even though they’re labelled “no added sugar”.
If you need a strict “sugar-free” option, use the threshold set out by Anses rather than relying on the absence of added sugars.
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Looking only at the fruit recipe
For a break with a single 60 g Auchan lolly, the mango and passion fruit product information lists 11 g of sugars, while the strawberry one lists 10 g.
When choosing between the two flavours, compare the values per serving too.
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Ruling out allergens based on flavour alone
Both Auchan fruit varieties may contain traces of cereals containing gluten, peanuts and other nuts.
If these warnings matter to you, check the packaging of the exact product before choosing it.
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Assuming a plant-based recipe is sugar-free
The product information for Magnum Vegan Almond lists sugar, glucose syrup and fructose, among other ingredients, and 25 g of sugars per 100 g.
A plant-based recipe doesn’t mean you can skip checking the ingredients and the “of which sugars” line.
Brands and retailers to check
Auchan
Auchan labels its 100% fruit mango and passion fruit and strawberry lollies “no added sugar”. They come in boxes of four 60 g lollies.
- The product information for both flavours lists the ingredients, nutritional values and sugars per lolly.
- They contain 19 g and 17 g of sugars per 100 g respectively, and may contain traces of certain allergens. They’re not suitable if you’re looking for a strict “sugar-free” option.
Magnum
The range includes the Vegan Almond lolly, a plant-based recipe containing almonds.
- Its product information details the ingredients and lists 18 g of sugars per serving.
- It contains 25 g of sugars per 100 g and may contain traces of milk, soya and other nuts. This lolly isn’t suitable if you’re looking for a “sugar-free” option.
Carrefour
A “No added sugar” filter appears in the retailer’s ice lolly search results.
- This filter can help you find products to check.
- Before choosing a lolly, open its product information and check the exact claim, the “of which sugars” line, the ingredients and the allergen information.
ALDI / Mucci
ALDI stocks Mucci ice lollies in its frozen desserts range.
- It’s another place to compare the labels on the lollies available.
- For a “sugar-free” or “no added sugar” option, check the product information and packaging for each product rather than relying on the brand.
Joybuy products related to this topic
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Does “no added sugar” mean “sugar-free”?
No. According to Anses, “no added sugar” doesn’t exclude sugars that occur naturally in the ingredients, whereas “sugar-free” means less than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g or 100 ml.
Do Auchan 100% fruit lollies meet a strict “sugar-free” requirement?
No. Auchan’s product information lists 19 g of sugars per 100 g for the mango and passion fruit flavour and 17 g for the strawberry flavour. These lollies are labelled “no added sugar”, which is a different claim.
What should you check on the label before buying an ice lolly?
Start by checking the exact claim and the “of which sugars” value per 100 g. Check the value per serving too, if it’s shown on the packaging. Then read the ingredients and check the allergen information and any possible traces for the product you’ve chosen.
How should you store Auchan fruit lollies after shopping?
The product information for the mango and passion fruit and strawberry flavours says to store them in the freezer at −18 °C until the date shown on the packaging. It also says not to refreeze a product once it has thawed.