Parents preparing lunchboxes
If you need a portion that can go straight into a lunchbox, look for products that are clearly labelled as individually wrapped. The total weight of a pack doesn’t tell you how its contents are packaged.
Who are these formats for?
Families planning a back-to-school treat
For sharing at home or during an activity, choose a bag size that suits the number of people and the amount you plan to serve.
Shoppers who pay attention to ingredients
When comparing specific products, check the sugar content per 100 g and read the ingredients list. Check the allergens and type of gelatine if you need to avoid certain foods.
What should you check before buying?
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Lunchbox portions | Number of individual bags and the weight of each one. | When I’m packing a lunchbox, I want a separately wrapped portion rather than a bag I have to divide up. Around 42% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Amount to share | Total net weight and how much you plan to serve as a snack. | For a family or group snack, I want enough marshmallows without opening a much larger pack than I need. Around 33% of consumers prioritise the quantity. |
| Ingredients | Sugars per 100 g, ingredients, allergens and type of gelatine. | If I need to avoid certain foods, the ingredients in the specific product determine my choice. Around 25% of consumers prioritise checking this. |
Common mix-ups to avoid
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Assuming a large bag is a multipack
A bag full of marshmallows doesn’t necessarily contain separately wrapped portions. For a lunchbox, this makes all the difference: you may need to portion them out yourself.
Look for a mention of individual bags, then check how many there are and how much each weighs on the product page or packaging.
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Thinking every pack displays the Nutri-Score
According to the Directorate-General for Enterprise, displaying the Nutri-Score is voluntary in France. Its absence alone therefore doesn’t tell you what a marshmallow is made of.
If it is displayed, use it to compare similar products. Also check the nutritional values per 100 g and the ingredients list.
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Assuming every recipe suits the same dietary needs
The ingredients in chocolate marshmallows can vary from one product to another. If you have an allergy or need to avoid certain types of gelatine, check the specific product you’ve chosen rather than relying on its category.
Read the highlighted allergen information and ingredients list on the packaging of the exact product.
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Choosing a large pack without planning portions
A large pack can work well for sharing, but it doesn’t determine how much you serve each time. Manger Bouger, the French public health website, recommends offering children sugary products in limited quantities.
Choose a pack size that suits the occasion and prepare the portions you want to serve, rather than leaving the whole bag open.
Retailers and products to consider
These examples help you compare bag sizes. Don’t assume any of them contain individual portions unless this is clearly stated.
Carrefour
Carrefour stocks Haribo Chamallows Mania in a 275 g bag.
- A size you can compare with the number of people you’re catering for.
- The description “275 g bag” doesn’t confirm that it contains individually wrapped portions.
E.Leclerc
E.Leclerc also stocks 300 g bags of Copains Copines vanilla-flavoured marshmallows in its sweets and marshmallows section.
- Another size to consider when planning to share.
- Check the packaging if you’re looking for bags that can go straight into a lunchbox.
Auchan
Auchan stocks Vendôme milk chocolate marshmallows in a 1 kg pack.
- This size could suit an organised get-together with several people.
- It’s a large pack, so check for inner portions and read the ingredients for this specific product before buying.
Monoprix
Monoprix stocks Lutti Koala milk chocolate marshmallows in a 185 g bag.
- The Monoprix product page lists milk and soya as allergens in this product.
- A 185 g bag doesn’t confirm that the portions are individually wrapped.
ALDI
ALDI has featured 200 g bags of ISAURA marshmallow bears among its examples.
- The pack size gives you another point of reference for a small gathering.
- A product featured as part of a dated promotion may not be available now, and individual portions aren’t guaranteed.
A Joybuy option for sharing
This 200 g bag of marshmallows is worth considering for a small sharing occasion. If you want to put them in a lunchbox without repacking, check separately whether the bag contains individual portions.
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Haribo Marshmallows 200 g
For a small gathering, this bag has a net weight of 200 g, which you can divide up to suit the number of people. Before choosing it for a lunchbox, check whether it contains individual bags. Also read the label for allergen information and the type of gelatine if these details affect your decision.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Nutri-Score compulsory on marshmallows sold in France?
No. The Directorate-General for Enterprise states that displaying the Nutri-Score is voluntary. The DGCCRF says that prepacked foods generally need to include a nutrition declaration, subject to certain exemptions. When comparing similar products, check the sugar content per 100 g in particular.
Can a family-size bag go straight into a lunchbox?
A family-size pack doesn’t guarantee individual portions. If you want a portion that’s already wrapped, check how many inner bags there are and how much each weighs. Otherwise, plan to portion out the contents yourself.
What should I check if I need to avoid certain foods and want chocolate marshmallows?
Check the ingredients and allergens for the specific product, as well as the type of gelatine if this is relevant to you. The Monoprix product page for Lutti Koala milk chocolate marshmallows lists milk and soya, among other details. This information doesn’t apply to all chocolate marshmallows.
How should I store chocolate marshmallows after opening?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging you buy. For the Lutti Koala milk chocolate marshmallows featured by Monoprix, the stated advice is to store them in a cool, dry place. If you open a large bag, take out only the amount you plan to serve.