People keeping an eye on their sugar intake
You want to know what an ice lolly actually contains, beyond the ‘no added sugar’ claim. The figures listed by Auchan for its two fruit sorbets show why it’s worth checking the ‘of which sugars’ line.
Who are these options for?
Families who prefer a fruity ice lolly with their crêpes
You’re looking for an individual portion with a fruity flavour rather than a coated ice cream. Remember to check the sugar content per lolly and any ‘may contain’ statements on the packaging.
Fans of creamy, chocolatey ice lollies
You prefer vanilla, chocolate or almonds. However, the ingredients in the Magnum Almond and SMICY products described here don’t meet the same needs as a search for a no-added-sugar product.
What should you check?
When choosing an ice lolly to enjoy with crêpes, start with what matters most to you: avoiding added sugars, knowing the sugar content per portion, or choosing a recipe and format you like. Flavour alone won’t tell you what you need to know.
| What to check | Look for | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Added and total sugars | Compare the claim on the front of the pack with the ingredients and the ‘of which sugars’ figures per 100 g and per portion. | I want to limit sugar and know whether the claim on the box reflects the amount I’ll eat. Around 42% of consumers would put this check at the top of their list. |
| Fruit recipe and portion size | Check the weight of one ice lolly, its sugar content per portion and the recipe ingredients. | With crêpes, I prefer a fruity flavour and a portion with nutrition information I can check. This would be the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients and ‘may contain’ statements on the packaging for your chosen flavour. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, the flavour alone won’t tell me whether an ice lolly is suitable. Around 17% of consumers would put this precaution ahead of other criteria. |
| Availability at your usual retailer | Check which product your shop or online grocery service stocks, then read the label for that specific product. | First, I’m looking for an ice lolly I can buy from my usual retailer, without skipping the ingredient check. Around 16% of consumers would make this their priority. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming ‘no added sugar’ means ‘sugar-free’
Auchan’s strawberry and mango-passion fruit sorbets carry the first claim, but contain 17 and 19 g of sugars per 100 g respectively. So if you’re looking for a low total sugar content, the claim alone isn’t enough.
Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figures per 100 g and for the ice lolly you plan to eat.
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Comparing a sorbet and a coated ice cream by flavour alone
According to their respective product listings, a SMICY ice lolly contains 25 g of sugars and 15 g of saturated fatty acids per 100 g, while the two fruity Auchan sorbets have different recipes and portion sizes. The flavour name doesn’t tell you about these differences.
Compare sugars and fat on the same basis, then check the portion weight and ingredients.
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Assuming a fruity ice lolly is free from allergens
The product listings for both Auchan sorbets state that they may contain traces of gluten, peanuts and nuts. Magnum Almond contains almonds.
If an ingredient or a ‘may contain’ warning affects your choice, check the exact pack, even if you’re only switching flavours.
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Assuming a product you’ve seen online will be in store
A product listed in a range may not be available at your local shop when you want to buy it. Another ice lolly being in stock doesn’t guarantee that it has a similar recipe.
Check with your shop or online grocery service before setting off, and read the label of the product actually available.
An unnecessary trip or having to look for another product can take up your time.
Brands and retailers to know
These examples can help you compare specific recipes; a retailer’s name alone won’t tell you the sugar content of its entire range.
Auchan
Auchan offers two full-fruit sorbet ice lollies, mango-passion fruit and strawberry, both carrying the ‘no added sugar’ claim.
- The product listings give a 60 g portion size and the sugar content per 100 g and per ice lolly.
- Depending on the flavour, they contain 19 g or 17 g of sugars per 100 g. They may also contain traces of gluten, peanuts and nuts.
Magnum
Magnum Almond combines vanilla ice cream with a milk chocolate coating and almonds.
- This recipe is a good fit if you’re looking for a creamy, coated ice lolly.
- The ingredients for this product include sugar. It contains almonds and shouldn’t be considered a no-added-sugar option.
Marque Repère / SMICY (E.Leclerc)
The SMICY product listed by E.Leclerc is a pack of 12 vanilla ice lollies coated with cocoa and puffed rice pieces.
- The pack of 12 is a handy format to share.
- Its product listing states 25 g of sugars per 100 g, so this isn’t the right choice if you’re looking for a sugar-free ice lolly.
Carrefour
Carrefour’s freezer aisle includes ice lollies from ranges such as Classic', Sensation and Extra.
- A range of formats and flavours gives you plenty of recipes to compare.
- To choose based on added sugars or total sugar content, check the ingredients and nutrition information for the product you’re considering.
MUCCI (Aldi)
MUCCI is one of the ice lolly brands featured by Aldi.
- If you like this type of recipe, the double ice lollies are a format worth considering.
- Check local availability, then read the ingredients and nutrition information for the specific product before comparing it with a no-added-sugar option.
Ice lollies available on Joybuy
These POP FRUIT sorbet ice lollies come in flavours you could enjoy with crêpes. They contain agave powder, so ‘100%’ in the name shouldn’t be taken to mean ‘no added sugar’ or ‘sugar-free’.
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POP FRUIT 100% Lemon, 4 ice lollies, 280 g
Lemon is a fruity flavour that could go well with crêpes. The recipe contains agave powder, so don’t choose this product if you’re trying to avoid added sugars.
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POP FRUIT 100% Mango, 4 ice lollies, 280 g
This mango ice lolly is a fruity option to enjoy with crêpes. It contains agave powder, so it isn’t suitable if you’re choosing based on the absence of added sugars.
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POP FRUIT 100% Coconut, 4 ice lollies, 280 g
Coconut is another flavour you could serve with crêpes. The recipe contains agave powder, so check the sugar information on the packaging if the amount of sugar is important to you.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘no added sugar’ mean ‘sugar-free’?
No. Auchan’s mango-passion fruit and strawberry sorbets carry the ‘no added sugar’ claim but contain 19 g and 17 g of sugars per 100 g respectively. Check the ‘of which sugars’ line for the total sugar content listed.
Should I compare sugars per 100 g or per ice lolly?
Both figures answer different questions: the per-100 g value lets you compare products on the same basis, while the per-lolly figure tells you about the portion you’ve chosen. Auchan lists 11 g of sugars for its 60 g mango-passion fruit ice lolly and 10 g for its strawberry one of the same weight.
Does a fruity sorbet mean there are no allergen warnings?
No. The listings for Auchan’s mango-passion fruit and strawberry sorbets state that they may contain traces of gluten, peanuts and nuts. If these warnings affect your choice, check the packaging of the product you buy.
How should I store Auchan ice lollies after buying them?
Auchan’s product listings say to keep them in the freezer at −18 °C until the date shown on the packaging. They also say not to refreeze a product once it has thawed.