Who is this format suitable for?

Organisers with a freezer on site

You can keep the ice lollies frozen until the break, then take them out just before serving. The DGCCRF reminds consumers that the cold chain must be maintained during transport and storage, too.

Teams with a range of tastes

You’d like to offer a choice of flavours in one box. The six-piece Magnum Mini selection listed by Auchan and Joybuy includes Classic, Almond and White Chocolate; check that these recipes are suitable for everyone attending.

Organisers mindful of allergies

You’ll need to check the ingredients and any warnings about possible allergens on the box you choose. Anses highlights how important the ingredients list is for people with food allergies.

What should you check?

Before serving ice lollies at a meeting, first confirm that you can store them correctly. Then compare the number of lollies, the recipes and their allergens.

Criterion What to check What matters to shoppers
Storage Confirm there’s a freezer on site and that you can transport the product while keeping it frozen. The Magnum Mini selection listed by Auchan must be stored at −18 °C. If I can’t keep the ice lollies frozen until the break, this format won’t work for my plans; around 36 % of shoppers rank maintaining the cold chain as their top concern.
Number of portions Compare the number of people attending with the number of lolly sticks listed on each box: the formats listed by Auchan, E.Leclerc and ALDI contain either four or six, depending on the product. If I want to give everyone a lolly, I need to know how many are in the box, not just its weight. Counting portions is a priority for around 29 % of shoppers.
Allergens Check the ingredients and any ‘contains’ or ‘may contain’ warnings for the product you’re buying. The product information consulted indicates that recipes may contain milk or nuts. If someone attending has an allergy, I need to be able to rule out any recipe that isn’t suitable for them; around 21 % of shoppers make this check their priority.
Flavour choice Compare a selection of different recipes with a box containing just one recipe, then check the allergens in each flavour you’re considering. If the group has different preferences, I’d rather offer several flavours without assuming they’ll all suit everyone. This variety comes first for around 14 % of shoppers.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Confusing ice lollies with a box of chocolates

    An ice lolly is still a frozen product, even when it’s coated in chocolate. The DGCCRF reminds consumers that the cold chain must be maintained during transport and storage.

    Before choosing this format for a meeting, make sure you can transport the lollies while frozen, store them on site and follow the instructions on the box until they’re served.

  • Going by weight instead of the number of lolly sticks

    The products listed by Auchan, E.Leclerc and ALDI contain either four or six lollies per box: the weight won’t tell you how many people can have a portion.

    Count the people attending, then work out how many boxes you’ll need based on the number of lollies shown on the packaging.

  • Choosing a selection without checking each recipe

    Ingredients can vary from one flavour to another. The Magnum product information consulted lists milk and, depending on the product, nuts that are either present or may be present.

    Ask which allergies you need to take into account, then check the ingredients and warnings on the box you’re planning to buy.

Brands to consider

Magnum

Mini chocolate-coated ice cream sticks, available in selections of six or in a Double Chocolate recipe.

  • The six-piece selection listed by Auchan and Joybuy includes Classic, Almond and White Chocolate.
  • Ingredients and nut warnings vary by product, so check the label on the box you choose. The lollies also need to be kept in a freezer.

TRIUM

A brand stocked by E.Leclerc, with four-piece mini ice cream sticks in a rocky road-style coating.

  • The product listed by E.Leclerc combines hazelnut ice cream, milk chocolate and hazelnut sauce, and a coating with pieces of hazelnut.
  • This recipe contains milk, hazelnuts and soya lecithins, among other ingredients. Check whether four portions will be enough for your meeting.

MUCCI

A brand listed by ALDI for ice cream sticks, including a four-piece box with a double coating.

  • The four-piece box makes it easy to count portions for a small group.
  • For this specific product, check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging before choosing it for your guests.

Joybuy products

Products related to this topic will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can ice lollies replace a box of chocolates for a meeting break?

Yes, if you can keep them frozen during transport and until they’re served. They’re not a practical alternative if there’s no freezer on site. The DGCCRF reminds consumers that the cold chain applies to transport and storage, while the Magnum Mini selection listed by Auchan must be stored at −18 °C.

How many boxes should I buy?

For one portion per person, divide the number of people attending by the number of lolly sticks per box, then round up to the next whole number. The Magnum Mini selection listed by Auchan contains six lollies; the TRIUM and MUCCI products listed by E.Leclerc and ALDI respectively contain four.

How can I account for allergies when choosing a selection?

Check the ingredients and warnings for each recipe on the box you’re planning to buy. The Magnum product information consulted lists milk and, depending on the product, nuts that are either present or may be present. Don’t assume that one flavour has the same ingredients as another.