Parents keeping an eye on added sugars
You want to check the exact claim and compare the ingredients and nutrition information, without assuming that “no added sugar” means “sugar-free”.
Who are these criteria for?
Families managing an allergy or special diet
The ingredients, trace warnings and childcare setting’s guidance matter more than the product name. If an individual care plan is in place, its requirements must be followed.
Parents looking for an easy-to-serve portion
An individually wrapped lolly and a tub that needs portioning require different arrangements. Before buying, ask the childcare setting which formats it accepts and how the product will be kept cold until snack time.
What should you check before buying?
For a frozen snack at a childcare setting, first check its rules and your child’s dietary requirements. Then look at the sugar claim, followed by the product’s format and storage instructions.
| Criteria | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens and childcare arrangements | Read the ingredients and any “may contain” warnings; check the guidance from the childcare setting and the individual care plan, if there is one. | If my child needs to avoid an ingredient, I want to know exactly what they can be served and under what conditions. Around 42% of consumers would put this compatibility first. |
| Sugar claims | Compare the exact wording of the claim, the ingredients list and the nutrition information for the product you’re considering. | I’m looking to limit added sugars without assuming that “sugar free” means free from sugars or sweeteners. This check would be a priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Format and cold chain | Check whether the childcare setting accepts a tub that needs portioning or requires individual portions, then confirm the transport and storage conditions. | When a snack needs to be handed out to several children, I need a format the setting can actually store and serve. Format and logistics would come first for around 25% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Confusing “sugar free” with “no added sugar”
Neither phrase, on its own, tells you how much sugar the product contains. Auchan’s product information for the MES PETITES FOLIES sorbet, described as having “no added sugar”, lists ingredients including maltitol and erythritol.
Check the exact claim, the ingredients and the nutrition table on the product you’re buying, rather than relying on the term used in a search.
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Assuming a plant-based lolly is free from allergens
According to Magnum France’s product information, Vegan Amande contains almonds and may contain milk, soya and other nuts. So the “vegan” label alone isn’t enough to decide whether it’s suitable for a child with an allergy.
Check the label on the product you’re buying and follow the arrangements agreed with the family and childcare setting, including the individual care plan if there is one.
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Choosing a tub when individual portions are needed
The MES PETITES FOLIES sorbet featured by Auchan weighs 315 g and must be stored at -18 °C. Serving it means the childcare setting needs to accept portioning and have suitable storage.
Ask which formats the setting can receive and hand out. If it requires individual lollies, check the label of the one you’re considering separately: the format doesn’t tell you how much sugar it contains.
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Forgetting about transport and storage before serving
You need to plan how to transport and store a frozen product at the childcare setting before choosing one. Anses advises buying frozen foods at the end of your shop, using an insulated bag and keeping transport time to a minimum.
Before bringing in a snack, confirm that the setting can receive it and store it as instructed until it’s served.
Brands to consider by product
MES PETITES FOLIES
Auchan describes a 315 g plant-based strawberry sorbet as having “no added sugar”. It comes in a tub, not as an individual ice lolly.
- Auchan’s product information lists the ingredients, including 27% strawberry purée, maltitol and erythritol.
- The storage temperature listed is -18 °C; the childcare setting must be able to portion and store it appropriately.
Magnum
Vegan Amande is a 90 ml lolly per portion, as described by Magnum France. Its individual format shouldn’t be mistaken for a “no added sugar” option.
- The lolly is a clearly defined portion that can be handed out individually.
- Magnum France’s product information lists 18 g of sugars per portion and says it contains almonds and may contain traces of milk, soya and other nuts.
MUCCI
ALDI France offers MUCCI frozen desserts in several formats, including lollies and mini lollies.
- The range includes packs of 4 lollies and 12 mini lollies.
- To choose a product based on its sugar or allergen content, check its own label rather than relying on the format or range name.
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Frequently asked questions
Does “no added sugar” mean “sugar-free”?
No. This claim doesn’t mean the product contains no sugar. Check the nutrition information and ingredients for the specific product; the DGCCRF notes that nutrition claims are regulated. The MES PETITES FOLIES sorbet featured by Auchan contains strawberry purée, maltitol and erythritol, among other ingredients.
Is a vegan ice lolly automatically suitable for a child with a milk allergy?
No. You need to check the ingredients and any trace warnings for the specific product. Magnum France, for example, says that Vegan Amande contains almonds and may contain milk, soya and other nuts.
Is an individual care plan needed to bring in a special snack?
An individual care plan may be put in place when a health condition calls for adjustments, including dietary ones, according to information from the French Ministry of National Education. If your child has one, follow its requirements; in all cases, ask the childcare setting about its rules before bringing in a frozen treat.
How should you transport a frozen treat to a childcare setting?
Plan transport that meets the product’s storage requirements and check that the childcare setting can store it as soon as it arrives. Anses recommends buying frozen foods at the end of your shop, using an insulated bag and keeping transport time to a minimum; Auchan’s product information for the MES PETITES FOLIES sorbet says to store it at -18 °C.