Altroconsumo’s new test on packaged ice cream cups gives a less than encouraging picture: no product analyzed manages to achieve a positive rating and the majority of cups end up in the “poor” category. Even well-known brands such as Motta and Sammontana fail to stand out, while the best results still come from products that remain far from a nutritional profile considered optimal.
The test confirms a problem that has already emerged for other industrial ice creams: behind the inviting appearance and practicality of single portions, ultra-processed products are often hidden, with a long list of ingredients, sugars, saturated fats and additives used to maintain consistency, creaminess and preservation.
How the test was carried out
Altroconsumo analyzed over 200 packaged ice creams, including different categories such as cones, cups and popsicles. The final evaluation was constructed considering various parameters:
The score takes into account above all the nutritional profile and the information declared on the label, allowing comparison between products of the same type.
The ranking of packaged ice cream cups
38 points – Poor
Valsoia Coppa Mango Coconut Zero Added Sugars – coconut flavour
Energy per serving: 102 kcal
It is the product with the highest score among the cups analyzed, but even in this case the rating remains in the “poor” range.
37 points – Poor
Valsoia Coppa Mango Coconut Zero Added Sugars – mango flavour
Energy per serving: 102 kcal
Like the coconut version, it focuses on reducing added sugars, but still fails to obtain a good rating.
35 points – Poor
Carrefour 6 Cream and Chocolate Ice Cream Cups
Energy per serving: 97 kcal
Gelatelli (Lidl) Chocolate Cream Cups
Energy per serving: 93 kcal
Dolciando (Eurospin) 6 Cream and Chocolate Cups
Energy per serving: 102 kcal
Three very similar products in composition and score: the low price does not change the overall opinion on nutritional quality.
34 points – Poor
Gli Spesotti (Coop) Cream and Chocolate Ice Cream Cup
Energy per serving: 98 kcal
Dolciando (Eurospin) 4 Cups of Coffee
Energy per serving: 135 kcal
33 points – Poor
Motta Grandfather’s Cup
Energy per serving: 151 kcal
One of the most iconic products in the industry fails to stand out in the test. The historic coffee cup remains a dessert much appreciated for its taste, but Altroconsumo’s opinion highlights critical issues on a nutritional level.
32 points – Poor
Coop Coffee Cup
Energy per serving: 161 kcal
31 points – Poor
Carrefour Coffee Cup
Energy per serving: 136 kcal
30 points – Poor
Gelatelli (Lidl) Coffee Cup
Energy per serving: 141 kcal
27 points – Poor
Esselunga 4 Coffee Cups
Energy per serving: 169 kcal
26 points – Poor
Sammontana Amarena Gold Cup
Energy per serving: 204 kcal
24 points – Poor
Sammontana Coppa d’Oro Chocolate
Energy per serving: 210 kcal
The cup ranking confirms a trend already observed in tests on packaged ice cream: even the most famous brands struggle to offer products with a convincing nutritional profile.
The best result, 38 points out of 100, still remains in the “poor” range, while many products stop between 30 and 35 points. A figure that suggests that the industrial cup category still has ample room for improvement.
The main problem is linked to the nature of the product itself: to obtain a creamy consistency, a long life in the freezer and a stable structure, many packaged ice creams use a combination of sugars, fats, flavourings, emulsifiers and stabilizers.
This doesn’t mean that an ice cream sundae should be completely eliminated from your diet. Consumed every now and then and in moderate quantities, it can easily be part of a balanced diet. However, for those looking for a dessert with simpler ingredients, a quality artisanal ice cream or a homemade preparation based on yogurt, fresh fruit, milk and a few added sugars is preferable.
How to choose a more balanced ice cream sundae
When purchasing a packaged ice cream sundae, it is important to read the label carefully and not just stop at the promises on the package. A simpler ingredient list is generally a positive sign, while a high presence of added sugars, saturated fats, flavors and additives can indicate a more elaborate product.
It is better to move towards ice creams with a greater presence of milk or real fruit, remembering however that even statements such as “zero added sugars” or “light” do not automatically guarantee a better nutritional profile: often the reduction in sugar is compensated with other ingredients.
The ice cream cup still remains a dessert and should be consumed as such, therefore occasionally and as part of a varied and balanced diet.
