The present invention relates to a lollipop production and down-stream processing apparatus (1) with a forming unit (2) and a down-stream processing unit (4) and a transfer wheel (3) in between the units (2,4) which rotates around a first axis (26) and which comprises a multitude of grippers (6) which releasably hold the stick of the lollipop and which rotate relative to the transfer wheel (3) around a second axis of rotation (27) parallel to the first axis of rotation (26). The present invention further relates to a method to transfer a lollipop from a forming unit (2) to a down-stream processing unit (4) by means of a transfer wheel (3) which rotates around an axis of rotation (26) and which comprises a multitude of grippers (6), each gripping the stick of a lollipop and taking it out of the holding means of the forming unit (2) and handing it over to the holding means of a down-stream processing unit (4).