If you’re looking for a ‘sugar-free’ ice lolly for a Christmas market, check the exact claim and the ‘of which sugars’ line. According to the National Consumer Institute, the claim means a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g or 100 ml. Auchan’s strawberry and mango and passion fruit ice lollies are labelled ‘no added sugars’, but their product listings show 17 g and 19 g of sugars per 100 g respectively, so they don’t meet this strict criterion. If you plan to serve or sell them, check the allergens and storage instructions for each product too.
If you’re concerned about total sugars, don’t rely on the absence of added sugars alone. According to the National Consumer Institute, check the ‘of which sugars’ line and the limit of 0.5 g per 100 g or 100 ml that applies to the ‘sugar-free’ claim.
You may be happy with sugars naturally present in the ingredients while looking for a recipe with no added sugars. Auchan’s product listings for its strawberry and mango and passion fruit ice lollies show 17 g and 19 g of sugars per 100 g respectively.
If you’re serving ice lollies at a Christmas market, check the freezing instructions and allergen information for the product you choose. If you’re selling them as a business, find out about the requirements and storage facilities that apply to your activity too.
First decide whether you need the ‘sugar-free’ claim or whether ‘no added sugars’ is enough. Before choosing a product for your stall, check its label against the practical requirements for transport, storage and serving.
| Criterion | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Total sugars | Compare the exact claim with the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g or 100 ml. According to the National Consumer Institute, ‘sugar-free’ means no more than 0.5 g of sugars per this quantity. | I’m looking for an ice lolly that meets the strict ‘sugar-free’ criterion, not just a recipe with no added sugars; around 36% of consumers would put this requirement first. |
| Storage at the stall | Check the pack instructions and make sure you can follow them during transport and serving. Auchan specifies −18 °C and says not to refreeze after thawing for the two fruity ice lollies mentioned here. | If I’m serving ice lollies at a market, I need to be able to keep them under the stated conditions until they’re handed to the customer; around 29% of consumers would make this their main concern. |
| Allergens and ingredients | Check the ingredients, allergens and ‘may contain’ statements for the exact product; a fruity or vegan recipe doesn’t mean you can skip this check. | A dietary restriction means I check every label before choosing; this would be a priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Fruity recipe and pack size | Compare the ingredients and number of ice lollies, then check the nutritional values separately from the ‘no added sugars’ claim. | I prefer a fruity recipe in a multi-pack and don’t need the strict ‘sugar-free’ claim; around 14% of consumers would prioritise this choice. |
Auchan’s product listings show 17 g of sugars per 100 g for its strawberry ice lolly and 19 g for its mango and passion fruit one, despite both carrying a ‘no added sugars’ claim.
If you’re looking for the strict ‘sugar-free’ claim, check the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g or 100 ml rather than relying on the front of the pack.
A fruit recipe may still carry ‘may contain’ warnings. Magnum describes its Vegan Almond ice lolly as vegan, but its product listing includes almonds and soya.
Check the ingredients, allergens and ‘may contain’ statements on the pack of the exact product you plan to offer.
The two Auchan product listings mentioned here specify storage in a freezer at −18 °C and say never to refreeze a product once it has thawed.
Before buying for a stall, make sure your transport, refrigeration equipment and serving arrangements allow you to follow the instructions for each product.
Auchan offers two 100% fruit ice lollies with ‘no added sugars’: strawberry and mango and passion fruit. Each comes in a box of four, weighing 240 g.
Magnum describes its Vegan Almond x3 product as vegan.
Carrefour’s range of ice lollies and frozen bars includes products from the Carrefour Classic’ and Carrefour Sensation ranges.
No. According to the National Consumer Institute, the ‘sugar-free’ claim means no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g or 100 ml. Auchan’s strawberry and mango and passion fruit ice lollies, labelled ‘no added sugars’, contain 17 g and 19 g of sugars per 100 g respectively.
Check the ingredients, allergens and ‘may contain’ statements for the exact product. The listings for both fruity Auchan ice lollies warn that they may contain traces of cereals containing gluten, peanuts and other nuts; Magnum’s Vegan Almond listing includes almonds and soya.
Not the two Auchan fruity ice lollies mentioned here: their listings say never to refreeze a product once it has thawed and specify storage in a freezer at −18 °C. For any other product, follow the instructions on its own packaging.
Make sure you have suitable refrigeration and check the requirements that apply to your business before the event. The Ministry of Agriculture states that food businesses must be registered and have refrigeration facilities that can keep perishable goods at the required temperature. You should also check the market’s conditions with the organiser.