People keeping an eye on added sugars
You’re looking for an ice lolly labelled ‘no added sugars’, while also considering the sugars naturally present in fruit ingredients. Anses highlights the difference between no added sugars and no sugars at all.
Who is this guide for?
Street market organisers and families
You need to work out how many ice lollies to serve, compare pack sizes and make sure your chosen format will be available when you shop.
Fans of chocolate-coated ice lollies
You prefer an ice lolly coated in chocolate or topped with almonds. If avoiding added sugars matters to you too, check the exact recipe: the product listing for a Magnum almond lolly includes sugar in the ingredients.
What should you look for?
For a street market, start with the claim about sugars, then check how many people you need to serve and the ingredients in each flavour. Pack size and taste are no substitute for reading the label.
| What matters | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugars claim | The exact wording, the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g and, if shown on the packaging, per lolly; then the ingredients list. | If I’m trying to avoid added sugars, I want to know what the claim means without assuming the ice lolly contains no sugars at all. Around 50% of consumers would make this distinction their priority. |
| Pack size for sharing | The number of lollies, net weight and stated serving size; check availability before working out how many you need. | If I’m serving several people at a street market, I need to be able to count the portions rather than rely on the pack’s total weight. Pack size would come first for around 30% of consumers. |
| Flavour and ingredients | The ingredients in the product you choose, particularly sugar, milk or nuts, as well as any allergens listed. | If I prefer a creamy, coated lolly, I want to know what it contains even if reducing sugars isn’t my main priority. Around 20% of consumers would prioritise this type of recipe. |
Common misunderstandings to avoid
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Confusing ‘no added sugars’ with ‘sugar-free’
Anses points out that a product with no added sugar may still contain sugars. The listing for Auchan’s strawberry ice lolly includes strawberry purée and concentrated apple juice, for example.
Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure and the ingredients for your chosen flavour rather than relying on the claim on the front of the pack.
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Assuming another product feature tells you how much sugar it contains
A plant-based recipe or another claim highlighted on the packaging doesn’t, on its own, tell you how much sugar the product contains. The ingredient lists for Magnum and ABC JELLY ice lollies include sugar.
Check the ingredients list and nutrition information separately for the product you choose.
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Planning portions without checking availability
Finding a pack online doesn’t guarantee you’ll be able to get enough of them at your chosen shop.
Check local availability before deciding how many ice lollies to hand out.
Brands to know
AUCHAN
Auchan offers 100% fruit ice lollies in strawberry and mango-passion fruit flavours, labelled ‘no added sugars’. Each box contains 4 lollies and weighs 240 g.
- The number of lollies and the claim are included in the names of both products.
- The strawberry recipe includes concentrated apple juice, among other ingredients. Check the ingredients and ‘of which sugars’ figure for the product you choose.
Picard
Picard offers a box of 6 fruit ice lollies labelled ‘no added sugar’.
- Picard’s product listing explains that the sugars in this product come from the fruit.
- This claim doesn’t mean ‘sugar-free’. Check that the pack size will be available before the street market too.
Magnum
Magnum offers chocolate-coated ice lollies topped with almonds, among other options. They’re worth considering if this type of recipe matters more to you than a claim about added sugars.
- The range includes a Vegan Almond product, which Magnum describes as a plant-based vanilla ice cream coated in chocolate and almond pieces.
- Another Magnum listing, for almond ice lollies, includes sugar in the ingredients. Check each product separately.
Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘no added sugars’ mean ‘sugar-free’?
No. Anses points out that the claim ‘no added sugar’ doesn’t mean a product contains no sugars at all: its ingredients may contain sugars. For a fruit ice lolly, check the ‘of which sugars’ figure and the ingredients list for the flavour in question.
How should I compare two ice lollies for a street market?
Compare the nutrition information per 100 g and, where shown, per lolly. Then check the number of lollies, net weight, ingredients and allergens. The DGCCRF explains that nutrition information on prepacked foods includes details such as energy, fat and sugars.
Is a ‘no added sugars’ ice lolly a better choice for breakfast?
This claim alone doesn’t tell you whether an ice lolly is a better choice for breakfast. It doesn’t replace checking the ingredients and serving size, and it isn’t a promise of nutritional benefits for this meal.
How should I store ice lollies before a street market?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging of the product you buy. For the Picard fruit ice lollies mentioned here, the product listing says to keep them in the freezer at −18 °C until the date shown on the packaging.