Who is this option for?

Vegans keeping an eye on added sugars

You’re looking for a frozen dessert with no animal-derived ingredients and also want to check whether any sugars have been added. These two criteria need to be checked separately for each product.

Fans of vegan ice lollies

You prefer an individual ice lolly, perhaps with a chocolate coating, but don’t necessarily need it to be made without added sugar.

Shoppers who check ingredients and allergens

You check the ingredients, sweeteners and allergen or trace warnings to suit your needs, rather than relying on the word ‘vegan’ alone.

What should you check before buying?

First, confirm which criteria are essential to you, then compare the format and ingredients of products that meet them.

Criterion What to check Who it matters to
Vegan credentials Look for an explicit vegan claim or relevant certification, then read the ingredients. According to the Association Végétarienne de France, the V-Label vegan certification also takes manufacturing aids into account. If I avoid animal-derived ingredients, I want to be able to confirm this before choosing a flavour or format. Around 42% of consumers may make this their top priority.
Added sugars Distinguish the ‘no added sugar’ claim from the amount of sugars shown in the nutrition information. Check the ingredients and any sweeteners too. If my priority is to avoid added sugars, a vegan claim alone doesn’t meet my needs. This may be a priority for around 33% of consumers.
Format Check whether it’s an individual lolly, a sorbet or a tub of ice cream, then check the recipe for the format you choose. If I want an individual ice lolly to eat off a stick, a tub of sorbet won’t give me the format I’m looking for. Format may be the top priority for around 25% of consumers.

Common mix-ups to avoid

  • Assuming ‘vegan’ means ‘no added sugar’

    A vegan recipe can contain cane sugar or glucose syrup, as is the case with the Alnatura ice cream listed by Carrefour.

    Check the vegan claim, ingredients and nutrition information separately for the product you’re considering.

  • Assuming a no-added-sugar recipe contains no sweeteners

    The Mes Petites Folies vegan strawberry sorbet listed by Auchan contains maltitol and erythritol.

    Read the full ingredients list if sweeteners are a factor in your choice.

  • Overlooking allergens because a product is labelled vegan

    Carrefour’s product information for Alnatura vegan ice cream lists oats and hazelnuts, as well as possible traces of other allergens, including milk and eggs.

    If you have an allergy or need to avoid certain ingredients strictly, check the ingredients and trace warnings on the packaging of the product you buy.

  • Confusing sorbet in a tub with an ice lolly

    The Mes Petites Folies sorbet listed by Auchan comes in a 315 g tub; its name alone doesn’t make it an individual lolly.

    Choose the format that suits you, then check that product for the vegan and ‘no added sugar’ criteria.

Brands to consider by recipe and format

Mes Petites Folies

Auchan lists a 315 g vegan strawberry sorbet with no added sugar.

  • Auchan’s product information states that it contains 27% strawberry purée and the sweeteners maltitol and erythritol.
  • The description ‘strawberry sorbet’ doesn’t make it equivalent to a creamy or chocolate-coated ice lolly.

Magnum

Magnum France describes Vegan Amande x3 and Vegan Chill x3 as ice lollies.

  • These products are worth considering if you’re looking for a vegan lolly.
  • To find out whether a product also meets the ‘no added sugar’ criterion, check its nutrition information and ingredients.

Alnatura

Carrefour lists a 500 mL tub of organic vegan hazelnut ice cream.

  • Carrefour’s product information describes a recipe made with oat drink, in a format to serve with a spoon.
  • It lists raw cane sugar and glucose syrup, as well as hazelnuts and allergen trace warnings.

Ben & Jerry’s

Ben & Jerry’s offers a range of vegan ice creams made with oats.

  • The range is worth exploring if you’re looking for plant-based ice cream in a tub rather than an ice lolly.
  • If added sugars are a factor, check the ingredients and nutrition information for your chosen flavour.

Joybuy products related to this topic

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘no added sugar’ mean ‘sugar-free’?

No. A product labelled ‘no added sugar’ may still contain naturally occurring sugars. To make your choice, also check the ‘of which sugars’ line in the nutrition information and the ingredients list. The DGCCRF notes that nutrition claims are governed by European Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.

Can a vegan frozen dessert contain sweeteners or allergens?

Yes. The Mes Petites Folies vegan sorbet listed by Auchan contains maltitol and erythritol, while Carrefour’s product information for Alnatura vegan ice cream lists hazelnuts and possible traces of allergens. Read the information for each product, especially if you have an allergy.

How can you check that an ice cream is vegan?

Look for an explicit vegan claim on the product and check its ingredients. If it appears on the packaging, the V-Label vegan certification also takes manufacturing aids into account, according to the Association Végétarienne de France.

How should you transport a frozen dessert after shopping?

Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and keep the time it spends out of the cold to a minimum. An insulated bag can help on the journey. Put the product in the freezer as soon as you get home and follow its instructions if it defrosts.