Who is this guide for?

Parents considering an occasional treat

You want to treat your child now and then without making an ice lolly part of their regular snack routine. Santé publique France recommends limiting sugary foods for young children.

Families keeping an eye on allergens

You need to check the ingredients in the product you choose, particularly for milk, soya or nuts, as well as any ‘may contain’ warnings.

Anyone choosing between two types of ice lolly

You want to compare a fruity water ice with a vanilla-and-chocolate lolly by looking at the ingredients, sugars and weight of each one.

What should you check?

Before comparing flavours, consider whether ice cream belongs in this occasional snack. If you decide to choose one, check the ingredients and the actual portion size rather than relying on the product name.

Fruity water ice

Worth considering: if you want to compare a water-and-fruit recipe with a dairy lolly covered in chocolate.

Keep in mind: the Twister and Pirulo products listed by Carrefour also contain sugar or syrups, so check the ingredients for each one.

Mini vanilla-and-chocolate lolly

Worth considering: if you’re specifically looking for a chocolate-coated lolly for an occasional treat, once you’ve checked the allergens.

Keep in mind: the Magnum and Auchan products described by Auchan contain milk and soya, among other ingredients. “Mini” doesn’t mean the portion is suitable for a toddler.

No ice lolly

Best if: an ice lolly could become a regular snack, or you haven’t confirmed which allergens need to be avoided.

The trade-off: this won’t satisfy an occasional craving for a frozen dessert, but it means your child can stick to their usual snack.

What to consider What to check Who is this for?
How often to offer sugary foods Check the sugars in the nutrition information and compare them with the weight of one lolly. “Mini” doesn’t indicate a recommended portion size. If I offer an ice lolly now and then, I don’t want it to replace my child’s usual snack; around 42% of consumers would make this limit a priority.
Allergens Check the ingredients for allergens and look for any ‘may contain’ warnings on the packaging of the product you buy. If I need to avoid an allergen, the exact recipe matters more than the advertised flavour; around 33% of consumers would make this check their priority.
Type and size Tell the difference between water ice and a chocolate-coated dairy lolly, then compare the net weight and number of lollies. I want to know what each type of lolly contains before choosing a size; around 25% of consumers would prioritise this comparison.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Assuming “mini” or “children’s” means the portion is suitable

    These terms describe a size or an aisle, not a recommended portion for a toddler. Santé publique France advises limiting sugary foods for young children.

    Check the weight of one lolly and its sugar content, then decide whether it will remain an occasional treat.

  • Choosing a chocolate coating without checking the allergens

    Auchan’s listing for its vanilla-and-hazelnut lollies names milk, soya and hazelnuts; the listing for Magnum Mini vanilla-and-chocolate lollies mentions milk and soya, and says they may contain almonds.

    Check the ingredients and any warnings about traces on the packaging of the product you buy.

  • Assuming fruity water ice contains no sugar

    The Twister and Pirulo recipes listed by Carrefour include sugar or syrups, even when they contain fruit juice.

    Read the ingredients and check the sugars listed in the nutrition information.

  • Forgetting how to store them after buying

    Auchan’s listings for the lollies reviewed say to store them at −18 °C and not to refreeze them after thawing.

    Plan how you’ll get them home and into the freezer, and follow the instructions on the packaging.

Brands to know when comparing recipes

Magnum

Auchan lists, among other products, a Mini Classic lolly with vanilla ice cream covered in milk chocolate.

  • The mini size makes it easy to distinguish this option from larger lollies.
  • The listed recipe contains milk and soya and may contain almonds; its size alone doesn’t show whether it’s suitable as a toddler’s snack.

Auchan

The retailer lists, among other products, a box of 12 vanilla lollies coated with cocoa and chopped hazelnuts.

  • The product listing includes the ingredients and nutritional values per 100 g.
  • This recipe contains milk, soya and hazelnuts, and may contain other nuts.

Miko

Carrefour lists Twister and Pirulo water ices in its “children’s ice creams” aisle.

  • These products let you compare water-and-juice recipes with chocolate-coated dairy lollies.
  • The recipes reviewed contain sugar or syrups; their place in the aisle doesn’t guarantee that they’re suitable for under-threes.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is an individual ice lolly suitable as a toddler’s daily snack?

No, it shouldn’t be treated as a daily snack. Santé publique France recommends introducing sugary foods as late as possible and limiting how much children have; an individual serving doesn’t change that advice.

Is an ice lolly from the “children’s” aisle suitable for under-threes?

You can’t tell from the aisle label alone. The Twister and Pirulo products listed by Carrefour include sugar or syrups, among other ingredients. Check the exact product rather than where it’s displayed in the shop.

What should you check before buying if an allergen needs to be avoided?

Read the allergens listed in the ingredients and check the packaging for any warnings about traces. Depending on the recipe, the lollies reviewed by Auchan may contain milk, soya or nuts.

How should you store ice lollies after buying them?

Follow the instructions on the packaging while transporting them and once you get home. Auchan’s listings for the products reviewed say to store them at −18 °C and not to refreeze them after thawing.