Tag: Real ice cream

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), for a product to be labeled 'ice cream,' it must contain at least 10% milkfat. This critical standard is at the heart of the debate: Is light ice cream real ice cream, or is it something else entirely?

In 2013, Unilever, Breyers' parent company, introduced frozen dairy desserts to provide lower-calorie options, which sparked consumer confusion about what is in Breyers ice cream today. It is crucial to understand that Breyers sells both federally regulated "ice cream" and "frozen dairy dessert," and the ingredients vary significantly between the two.

According to McDonald's official FAQ, they refer to their dessert drinks strictly as 'shakes' and not 'milkshakes,' which is due in part to varying state dairy regulations regarding product labeling. This raises the question: are McDonald's milkshakes made with real ice cream or something else entirely?

Soft serve typically contains a lower milk fat content and higher air volume than traditional ice cream, potentially making it a lighter, lower-calorie option per serving. However, the question, 'is soft serve healthier than real ice cream?', requires a deeper look into the ingredients and portion sizes of both beloved frozen treats.