The prank is up: IKEA and Chupa Chups unveil the world’s first meatball-flavoured lollipop

Chupa Chups Meatball Flavour lollipop, wrapped in packaging.

Press releases15 April 2026

After sparking global curiosity on 1st April with a playful ‘April Fool’s’ announcement about a meatball-tasting lollipop, Ingka Group, the largest IKEA retailer operating in 32 countries, and Chupa Chups, one of the world’s most iconic lollipop brands, are turning the joke into a sweet reality.

The two companies have joined forces to serve a limited-edition, meatball-inspired lollipop this June in hundreds of IKEA stores around the world, including the UK. This daring ’sweet’ combines the classic flavours and feeling of the iconic Swedish meatball with its tangy lingonberry companion.

The launch follows the enthusiastic response to the initial April Fool’s announcement. Chupa Chups has been busy in the kitchen developing this unique treat, which captures the spirit of IKEA food in a new and surprising way.

“On 1st April, we invited people to imagine a meatball lollipop. And we couldn’t help but take it one step further – especially after the enthusiastic response. Together with Chupa Chups, we are now bringing a playful take on that idea to life. It is a fun way to celebrate our love of food, and to show that even a simple joke can turn into something real, bringing people together in surprising ways.”

Javier QuiñonesCommercial Manager, Ingka Group

The collaboration taps into recent IKEA research highlighting that, despite changing food trends, people still seek small, sweet moments of joy. Key findings from the study include:

Nearly half of us (46%) admit to having a sweet tooth.
Over a quarter (29%) of people enjoy exploring new foods and cuisines.
40% of respondents say they are especially drawn to foods tied to childhood memories and nostalgia.

“When IKEA invited us to explore a lollipop inspired by their iconic Swedish meatball, we were immediately intrigued. This limited-edition lollipop is our playful tribute to a flavour that people all over the world associate with IKEA, reimagined in a way only Chupa Chups can do.”

Martin HoflingGlobal Marketing Manager, Chupa Chups

In total, one million lollipops will be produced and distributed to IKEA stores around the world. However, there is bad news for those hoping to stock up: the lollipops will not be for sale. Instead, customers will have the chance to taste them for free at their local IKEA store in June.

Customers can keep an eye on IKEA’s social media for more information about specific tasting moments in June.

_{Notes to editors}

^{*This special lollipop is not an IKEA product, but the result of a creative collaboration between IKEA and Chupa Chups.}