On a rushed morning, choose an individual ice lolly if you want something ready to eat; a tub of sorbet means serving yourself a portion. In either case, ‘no added sugar’ does not mean ‘sugar-free’: compare the sugars per portion, ingredients and allergens for the specific product you choose. Don’t treat this claim as a guarantee of a balanced breakfast.
You want an individually portioned product labelled ‘no added sugar’ and are happy with a vanilla and chocolate ice cream that contains sweeteners. The Argel product described by the brand contains milk, lactose and soya.
You’d prefer an ice lolly made with fruit purées and juices. However, Picard’s product information lists sugars, despite the ‘no added sugar’ claim.
You’re looking for a plant-based recipe with no added sugar and are happy to serve yourself a portion from a tub of sorbet instead of choosing an ice lolly. The Mes Petites Folies strawberry sorbet sold by Auchan is one option.
First, distinguish the claim on the packaging from the amount of sugars listed. Then check whether the format and ingredients suit your morning.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Sugars | The exact claim, then the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g and per portion. | I want to limit added sugars without assuming the product contains no sugars at all. Around 46% of consumers would put the amount and source of sugars at the top of their list of criteria. |
| Format | The number of ice lollies, their individual weight or whether you need to serve a portion from a tub. | When I’m in a hurry, I’d rather have a ready-portioned ice lolly than serve sorbet myself. Convenience is said to be the main consideration for around 27% of consumers. |
| Ingredients | The ingredients list, stated allergens and sweeteners in the specific product. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, the sugar claim alone isn’t enough to help me choose. Around 27% of consumers would prioritise this compatibility above all else. |
According to their respective product information, the Argel vanilla ice lolly contains 6,3 g of sugars per 100 g, while Picard’s fruit ice lollies contain 8,7 g or 11 g per 100 g, depending on the flavour.
Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure on the same 100 g basis, then check the amount in a portion.
The product information for Magnum Vegan Amande x3 lists sugar and syrups, as well as 25 g of sugars per 100 g. By contrast, the Mes Petites Folies strawberry sorbet sold as having no added sugar comes in a tub, not as ice lollies.
Check the plant-based ingredients, sugar claim and format separately for the exact product you’re considering.
The Argel no added sugar ice lolly contains milk, lactose and soya; its recipe also uses sweeteners.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging before choosing this product.
These frozen products need to be stored correctly. Argel’s product information specifies −18 °C and says not to refreeze the product once it has thawed.
Check availability before buying and follow the transport and storage instructions on the packaging.
These products offer different ingredients and formats. A brand name is no substitute for checking the information for the specific product.
Argel’s range includes no added sugar ice creams and sorbets, including a vanilla ice lolly coated in milk chocolate.
Picard offers fruit ice lollies with no added sugar, including apple, peach and mango, and red berries, apple and banana flavours.
The no added sugar strawberry sorbet sold by Auchan offers another option, if you’re happy with a tub rather than an ice lolly.
Magnum Vegan Amande x3 is a useful comparison for a plant-based ice lolly format, but it is not an example of an ice lolly with no added sugar.
No. The claim doesn’t mean that sugars naturally present in the ingredients have disappeared. Argel’s product information, for example, lists 6,3 g of sugars per 100 g for its no added sugar vanilla ice lolly. Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure and the ingredients list.
No. According to Picard, its fruit ice lollies with no added sugar contain 8,7 g or 11 g of sugars per 100 g, depending on the flavour. To compare two products, start with their nutritional values per 100 g, then check the amount per portion.
Follow the instructions for the product you’ve bought. Argel says to store its no added sugar vanilla ice lollies at −18 °C and not to refreeze them once thawed.
No. It refers to the added sugars in the product, not the whole meal. When choosing an ice lolly, consider its portion size, ingredients and nutritional information too. Don’t infer a health benefit from this claim alone.