Households keeping an eye on how much they buy
If you’re splitting a box between several people or occasions, compare its price per kilogram and the number of ice lollies. Carrefour, E.Leclerc and ALDI display this information for some products.
Who are these criteria useful for?
People who prefer a smaller portion
For an occasional sweet treat, a mini ice lolly may be a better fit than a tub of ice cream. Carrefour Extra, for example, offers a box of eight 32 g mini ice lollies; ALDI also sells MUCCI mini ice lollies.
People checking allergen information
Recipes and ‘may contain’ warnings vary between products. Check the exact label if you need to avoid milk, soya, eggs, almonds or other nuts.
What should you compare?
When shopping on a budget, start with the amount you’ll actually use, then look at the portion size, ingredients and how you’ll transport your frozen food.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity and portions | Compare the price per kilogram of the exact box, then check the number and size of the ice lollies. | If you need to divide the box into several portions without going over budget, the quantity matters just as much as the box size. Around 42% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
| Portion size | Check the weight or volume per item: a mini ice lolly and a standard-sized one are not the same size. | For an occasional sweet treat, I’d want to know what size of individual portion I’m choosing. This would be the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Ingredients | Read the ingredients, allergen information, ‘may contain’ warnings and nutritional details for the product you’ve chosen. | If you need to avoid certain ingredients, the exact recipe matters more than the format or retailer. Around 17% of consumers would make this check their top priority. |
| Buying and transport | Check that the product is available at your local shop or for your chosen click and collect service, and plan to transport frozen food without breaking the cold chain. | I want to be able to buy the box I’ve chosen and get it home without it melting. This would be the main concern for around 16% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Judging by the size of the box alone
Two boxes may contain different numbers of ice lollies and different total quantities, so you need a common basis for comparison.
Check the price per kilogram of each product, then see whether its portions suit the way you’ll use it.
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Thinking an ice lolly is a complete breakfast
Manger Bouger suggests breakfast ideas that include fruit, cereals and dairy products, among other things. It also points out that ice cream often contains a lot of sugar and fat.
If you choose an ice lolly as a sweet treat, don’t mistake it for the whole meal.
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Forgetting to check allergen information
Ingredients and possible traces vary between coated ice lollies.
Check the allergen information on the packaging of the product you’re buying, even if you already know the brand.
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Letting your frozen food melt on the way home
The DGCCRF reminds shoppers that transporting food is part of maintaining the cold chain.
Pick up frozen food at the end of your shop, use an insulated bag if needed and put it in the freezer as soon as you get home.
Brands and retailers to know
Magnum
An ice lolly brand with several recipes, including Classic and White Chocolate.
- A good option if you’re looking for a specific Magnum recipe.
- Check the format and allergen information for your chosen variant: ‘may contain’ warnings can vary.
Carrefour
Carrefour Classic’, Carrefour Extra and Carrefour Sensation ranges include different formats of ice lollies and frozen bars.
- Several product listings show the number of items and the price per kilogram.
- Check the ingredients for each product, particularly Carrefour Extra mini ice lollies.
E.Leclerc
The retailer offers its own-brand frozen desserts, including Trium, ESKISS and SMICY.
- The Trium range includes a box of four vanilla ice lollies coated in milk chocolate and almonds.
- Check which product is available at your local shop and whether four portions will be enough for you.
Auchan
Its online range includes ice lollies, mini ice lollies, frozen bars and sorbets.
- You can compare several types of frozen dessert in the same aisle.
- Select your click and collect service to check the products available and local purchasing options.
Lidl
The retailer has a frozen food aisle that includes ice cream and publishes offers in its catalogue.
- Worth checking if it’s already part of your regular shopping route.
- Check the product in store and the validity dates of catalogue offers.
ALDI / MUCCI
ALDI offers mini ice lollies and other frozen formats, including products under the MUCCI brand.
- The box of twelve MUCCI mini ice lollies is worth comparing if you’re looking for several smaller portions.
- Check the product and its details at the store you plan to visit.
Ice lollies and frozen desserts on Joybuy
These products come in a range of individual sweet treat formats: ice lollies, mini ice lollies, sorbet on a stick and freeze-at-home ice pops. To see how each one fits your budget, compare its price per kilogram and the quantity that suits you before buying.
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Binggrae Melona Melon Ice Bar, 8 × 70 ml
A box to consider if you’d like to share eight melon ice lollies as individual portions.
This product contains milk. If children are having them, also check the E102 colour warning on the packaging.
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CAPRI-SUN Orange & Cherry Ice Pops, × 12, 444 g
Twelve individual ice pops to consider if you’d like several smaller portions.
Freeze before eating and do not refreeze once thawed. Check the packaging for ‘may contain’ allergen warnings.
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POP FRUIT Sorbet Sticks 100% Coconut, × 4, 280 g
This sorbet on a stick is a good option if you’re looking for a box of four individual portions rather than a tub of ice cream.
Check the packaging for ‘may contain’ warnings if you need to avoid any allergens. This product is not suitable for children under 36 months.
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Magnum Mini Classic, Almond & White Chocolate, × 6, 254 g
An assortment of six mini ice lollies to consider if you prefer this format and these Magnum variants.
The box contains milk and may contain traces of nuts. Check the weight per ice lolly on the packaging to see how large each portion is.
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Maison de la Glace Water Ice Pops, 5 parfums, × 12, 1 200 g
This assortment of twelve may suit you if you’d like to choose from several flavours as you enjoy each portion.
Check the size of each ice lolly on the packaging. If allergen information is important to you, confirm which warnings apply to this product before buying.
Frequently asked questions
Is an ice lolly enough for breakfast?
Don’t think of an ice lolly on its own as a complete breakfast. Manger Bouger suggests breakfast ideas that include fruit, cereals and dairy products, among other things, and reminds us that ice cream often contains a lot of sugar and fat.
Which allergens should you check on an ice lolly?
Read the ingredients list and ‘may contain’ warnings for the exact product. Information published by Carrefour lists milk, soya and almonds in its Extra mini ice lollies, with possible traces of eggs and other nuts; warnings may differ for Magnum variants.
How should you bring ice lollies home after shopping?
Pick them up at the end of your shop, keep the journey as short as possible and follow the storage instructions on the packaging. The DGCCRF reminds shoppers that transport is part of maintaining the cold chain.
Will a product I’ve seen online be available in my local shop?
Check the range at the shop or click and collect service where you plan to buy the product. For catalogue offers, check the validity dates too: Lidl displays them with its offers, while some information at Auchan depends on which click and collect service you select.