Who are these options for?

Hosts avoiding added sugars

You’re planning a buffet-style drinks party and looking for an ice lolly labelled ‘no added sugars’, while recognising that this doesn’t mean it contains no sugars at all.

Hosts serving a fruity frozen dessert to share

You’re after a format that’s easy to share between several guests. The number of lollies, the weight per portion and the allergens listed on each box can help you decide.

Guests looking for a specific sugar content

Your needs go beyond avoiding added sugars: you’ll need to check the ‘of which sugars’ line and the portion size of the product you’re considering.

What should you check before buying?

To choose ice lollies for a buffet-style drinks party, first clarify what ‘sugar-free’ means to your guests, then check the format and ingredients of each product.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Sugar-related claims Compare the exact wording on the packaging with the ‘of which sugars’ line per 100 g and per portion. If my guests want to avoid added sugars, I want to distinguish this from looking for a product that is strictly sugar-free. Around 45% of consumers would put this distinction first.
Serving format Check the number of ice lollies in each box and the weight of each portion; take them out of the freezer as you need them. If you’re sharing the lollies without taking too many out at once, the number in the box matters when planning how to serve them. Around 33% of consumers would put format first.
Ingredients and allergens Read the ingredients list, allergen information and any ‘may contain’ warnings for the flavour you’re actually serving. If a guest tells me they have an allergy, I need to check the label before offering them an ice lolly. Around 22% of consumers would make this check their priority.

Confusions to avoid

  • Assuming ‘no added sugars’ means ‘sugar-free’

    Fruit ice lollies can contain sugars from their ingredients, even when the packaging says ‘no added sugars’.

    If you’re looking for a specific sugar content, check the ‘of which sugars’ line per 100 g and per portion rather than relying on the front of the pack alone.

  • Confusing ‘no refined sugars’ with ‘no added sugars’

    These claims are not interchangeable. Monoprix describes its Pop Fruit lemon and blood orange sorbet as ‘no refined sugars’, but it contains agave powder.

    Look for the claim that matches your needs, then read the ingredients for your chosen flavour, particularly the sugars, syrups and sweetening ingredients.

  • Overlooking traces of allergens when serving a group

    Auchan’s product pages for the strawberry and mango-passion fruit ice lollies warn that they may contain traces of cereals containing gluten, peanuts and other nuts.

    Ask your guests to let you know about any allergies and check the packaging of every product you serve. If necessary, have a suitable alternative ready.

  • Taking all the ice lollies out at the start of the party

    The instructions for the Auchan and Pop Fruit products mentioned here say to store them at −18 °C and not to refreeze them after thawing.

    Work out how many portions you’ll need before serving, then take the ice lollies out as you go.

    That way, you’re less likely to have to throw away ice lollies that have thawed and haven’t been eaten.

Brands to compare

AUCHAN

Auchan offers strawberry and mango-passion fruit ice lollies labelled ‘no added sugars’. Each box contains four ice lollies and weighs 240 g.

  • The product pages for both flavours list fruit purées and juices.
  • ‘No added sugars’ does not mean 0 g of sugars. Also check the allergen warnings for the flavour you buy.

POP FRUIT

Pop Fruit offers fruit-flavoured sorbet ice lollies and mini ice lollies, with recipes and formats that vary by product.

  • The lemon and blood orange format featured by Monoprix contains six 35 g mini ice lollies.
  • This recipe contains agave powder; the Pop Fruit lemon ice lolly featured by Joybuy contains 15 g of sugars per 100 g. These are two different products, so check each one separately.

Magnum

Magnum offers ice lollies, including mini formats and varieties with a chocolate coating.

  • These formats are worth considering if you’d prefer a coated ice lolly rather than a fruit ice lolly.
  • The ingredients list for the Magnum Deluxe Caramel featured by Joybuy includes sugar and glucose-fructose syrup, so this product is not suitable if you’re looking for something with no added sugars.

Joybuy products related to this topic

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

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

No. The claim ‘no added sugars’ does not guarantee 0 g of sugars: ingredients such as fruit can contain sugars. To find out how much sugar your chosen ice lolly contains, check its ‘of which sugars’ line.

Is a ‘100% fruit’ sorbet necessarily sugar-free?

No, this claim alone isn’t enough to tell you. The Pop Fruit lemon ice lolly featured by Joybuy contains 15 g of sugars per 100 g. Check the recipe and nutritional information for the specific flavour you plan to serve.

How should you store ice lollies during a buffet-style drinks party?

Keep them in the freezer until you’re ready to serve them, and take portions out as you go. The instructions for the Auchan and Pop Fruit products mentioned here say to store them at −18 °C and not to refreeze them after thawing.

Does a ‘sugar-free’ product necessarily contain sweeteners?

No, you can’t tell from this claim alone whether sweeteners are present. Anses describes intense sweeteners as additives that provide a sweet taste; check the ingredients list for each product to see whether its recipe contains any.