People stocking up
If ice lollies are a regular treat, the number of lollies and the net weight can help you work out how many boxes to buy, rather than relying on the box size alone.
Who are these pack sizes for?
People looking for a choice of portions
An assortment, a mini ice lolly and a chocolate-coated lolly each suit a different craving. The flavour and size of each lolly matter when several people are sharing the same stash.
People who check the ingredients
Before buying several boxes, they check the ingredients and allergen information for each recipe, particularly for products containing milk or nuts.
What should you check before buying?
If you’re buying individual treats to enjoy over time, start by deciding how many portions you want. Then narrow down your choice by portion size, flavours and storage requirements.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| How much to stock up on | Compare the number of ice lollies and the net weight: two boxes with the same number of lollies may contain different-sized portions. | If ice lollies are a regular treat, I want enough to go round without choosing a pack based on the number of units alone. Around 40% of consumers prioritise the amount they’re stocking up on. |
| Portions and flavours | Check the weight or volume per lolly, if listed, as well as the flavours actually included in the box. | When several people are sharing, I’d rather have portions to suit their preferences than a whole box of just one flavour. Around 30% of consumers prioritise variety or portion size. |
| Ingredients and storage | Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product. Make sure there’s room in your freezer and follow the temperature instructions on the packaging. | If a recipe needs to meet specific dietary requirements, I check the label before filling the freezer and can transport the boxes without extending the journey. Around 30% of consumers put these checks first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Looking only at the number of ice lollies
The boxes listed by Carrefour, E.Leclerc and ALDI contain different numbers of lollies, but that alone doesn’t tell you how large each portion is.
Check the number of units alongside the net weight and, if listed, the weight of each lolly.
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Assuming chocolate and vanilla recipes all have the same ingredients
Carrefour and Magnum product listings show that ingredients and allergen information vary by product and flavour.
Check the label on the exact product every time you buy it, including any ‘may contain’ warnings.
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Leaving the boxes out during your journey home
For frozen foods, the DGCCRF recommends picking them up last, keeping transport time to a minimum and preferably using an insulated bag.
Make room in your freezer before you go shopping, then put the boxes away promptly and follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
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Planning to buy several boxes without checking the exact product
A Carrefour Classic’ listing for a box of twelve ice lollies showed that it was unavailable for click and collect. A product being part of a range doesn’t guarantee it’ll be available when you want to buy it.
Check the exact product at the store and using the collection method you plan to choose.
Brands and ranges to compare
The pack sizes below give you a useful starting point for comparison. Choose based on the exact product, rather than the brand name alone.
Magnum
Auchan lists Magnum Classic in a box of eight 100 ml ice creams, with vanilla ice cream coated in milk chocolate. Carrefour also stocks Magnum Almond in a box of four.
- The listed volume for Classic makes it easy to compare this portion with mini formats.
- Check the ingredients and nut information for each recipe.
Carrefour Classic’, Carrefour Extra et SIMPL
Carrefour lists, among other products, Classic’ in a box of twelve, SIMPL in a box of sixteen 33.5 g ice lollies, and Extra in an assortment of eight 32 g mini ice lollies.
- These products let you compare a larger number of lollies with mini or assorted portions.
- Check the contents and availability for the exact product and store you’ve chosen.
TRIUM et SMICY, Marque Repère
E.Leclerc’s Marque Repère ice lolly range includes SMICY products in boxes of eight, ten or twelve, and TRIUM products in boxes of four or eight.
- You can compare the number of units and recipes across the range.
- A box containing several ice lollies doesn’t guarantee that each one is individually wrapped.
MUCCI
ALDI lists, among other products, MUCCI boxes of four double-coated ice lollies and boxes of twelve mini ice lollies.
- These two pack sizes suit different portion and quantity needs.
- Check the recipe and assortment available at your chosen store.
Ice lollies and water ices on Joybuy
These boxes contain coated ice lollies or water ices to enjoy over several breaks. Compare the number of lollies and the listed weight for each box, then check the label if the ingredients or individual wrapping matter to you.
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PAW Patrol, vanilla ice cream lollies with cocoa sauce, x6, 270 g
A box of six ice lollies, perfect for enjoying vanilla ice cream and cocoa sauce over several breaks.
Listed total weight: 270 g. Check the ingredients list and allergens on the packaging you choose.
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Maison de la Glace, water ices, 5 flavours, x12, 1 200 g
Twelve water ices in five flavours, ideal for stocking up when a choice of flavours matters.
Listed total weight: 1 200 g. If you need each lolly to be individually wrapped, check the pack before buying. Remember to check the allergen information too.
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POP POLO, water ices, 5 flavours, x10, 700 g
A pack of ten water ices, with different flavours to enjoy over several breaks.
Listed total weight: 700 g. Check the allergen information and whether the lollies are individually wrapped on the exact product.
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MAGNUM, vanilla and almond ice cream lollies, x8, 600 g
Eight vanilla and almond ice lollies if you prefer this recipe to an assortment of flavours.
Listed total weight: 600 g. Check the label for ingredients and allergens, particularly if you need to avoid nuts. The small pieces of nuts mentioned in the product description also require care when serving to young children.
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MAGNUM Classic, ice cream lollies, x8, 600 g
A box of eight Classic ice lollies for anyone who wants the same recipe every time.
Listed total weight: 600 g. Check the label for allergens, and check the pack if you need each lolly to be individually wrapped.
Frequently asked questions
How do you compare two boxes of ice lollies when stocking up?
Compare the number of lollies and the net weight, then consider whether the portion size and flavours will suit the people who’ll be enjoying them. The ranges from Carrefour, E.Leclerc and ALDI show that the same number of boxes doesn’t necessarily mean the same number of ice lollies.
Is each ice lolly individually wrapped?
You can’t tell from the number of lollies in a box. If you need to transport or hand them out individually, check the full product description or the packaging for the exact product.
Which allergens should you check before buying several boxes?
Check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings for each recipe, particularly for milk, soya and nuts if these are relevant to you. The Carrefour and Magnum products mentioned have different ingredients. The DGCCRF advises that allergens must be highlighted on food labels.
How should you transport several boxes of ice lollies?
Pick up frozen foods last, keep your journey as short as possible and preferably use an insulated bag, as recommended by the DGCCRF. Put the boxes away promptly and follow the storage temperature shown on the packaging.