Parents managing allergies
If you’re serving a group of children, you need to know about any allergies reported by their parents. Check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings on every pack you choose.
Who are these criteria for?
Organisers planning several portions
The number of ice lolly sticks in each pack helps you plan how many to serve. Among the products featured by Auchan, packs contain four, six or eight, depending on the product.
Parents organising a party away from home
You’ll need to transport the ice lollies and have access to a freezer at the venue until tea time. The Anses recommends using an insulated bag and keeping the journey as short as possible when transporting frozen food.
What should you check before buying?
Check for allergies and count the children before choosing a recipe. Then plan how you’ll transport and store the packs.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens | Ask parents about allergies, then check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the pack you buy. In France, allergens in pre-packed foods must be highlighted on the label, according to the Ministry of the Economy. | If a child in the group has an allergy, I need to rule out any unsuitable recipes before serving them. Around 36% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
| Number of portions | Compare the number of ice lolly sticks with the number of children you’re serving, allowing for any suitable alternatives you may need. | I want to make sure there’s a portion for every child on the guest list, rather than relying on the pack’s weight alone. Around 29% of consumers would make this a priority. |
| Storage | Make sure you’ll have access to a freezer, pick up frozen products at the end of your shop and keep the journey in an insulated bag as short as possible, as advised by the Anses. | If the party is away from home, I need a way to keep the ice lollies cold until they’re served. Around 21% of consumers would consider this their main concern. |
| Recipe and texture | Compare flavours and inclusions only after checking dietary requirements. Check the allergens for each variety again. | Once I’ve taken the group’s dietary requirements into account, I can choose between chocolate and vanilla or recipes with pieces. Around 14% of consumers would put this first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing almond or hazelnut recipes before checking for allergies
The chocolate recipes featured by Magnum and Auchan may contain milk, nuts or other allergens, depending on the product. The absence of visible pieces isn’t enough to tell you whether an ice lolly is suitable.
Ask parents about dietary requirements before buying, and check the label of every product intended for the group.
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Working out how many packs to buy from their total weight
A pack’s weight alone doesn’t tell you how many ice lolly sticks it contains. Auchan’s featured products include packs of four, six and eight.
Count the children and compare this with the number of pieces shown on the packs, remembering to allow for any alternatives you might need.
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Buying ice lollies without planning where to store them
If you’re holding the party away from home, you’ll need a way to keep the ice lollies cold between buying and serving them. The Anses advises keeping the journey time for frozen food to a minimum and using an insulated bag.
Check there’s space in the freezer at the party venue before buying, and follow the storage instructions on each pack.
Brands to consider
Magnum
Chocolate-coated ice lolly sticks sold in multipacks, including the Classic variety and almond options.
- Auchan lists Magnum Classic in a box of eight 100 ml ice lolly sticks.
- Check for milk and any nut warnings on the variety you buy; ingredients differ from one recipe to another.
Milka
The chocolate-coated vanilla variety featured by Auchan contains four ice lolly sticks.
- The stated number of pieces makes it easy to work out how many packs you’ll need for the group.
- According to Auchan, this variety contains milk and carries warnings that it may contain nuts, peanuts, gluten and eggs.
Côte d’Or
Auchan lists a pack of four hazelnut and milk chocolate ice lolly sticks.
- The recipe listed by Auchan contains milk chocolate and roasted chopped hazelnuts.
- It contains milk and hazelnuts, among other ingredients. Its label says not to refreeze the product after defrosting.
Ferrero Rocher
The hazelnut and milk chocolate variety featured by Auchan comes in a box of six ice lolly sticks.
- The six-piece pack makes it easy to compare the number of portions with how many you need to serve.
- This recipe contains hazelnuts and may contain other nuts. Check the label to make sure it’s suitable for the group’s allergies.
Ice lolly sticks on Joybuy
These packs of chocolate ice lolly sticks and bars make it easy to compare the number of pieces and recipes for a party tea. Before choosing, check each pack against your guests’ allergies and your storage options.
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Magnum Vanilla Almond, 8 ice lolly sticks, 600 g
The eight-piece pack makes it easier to plan portions for a group. The recipe contains almonds, so check the pack for ingredients, ‘may contain’ warnings and storage instructions before serving it to children.
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Magnum Mint Chocolate, 3 ice lolly sticks, 234 g
The three-piece pack suits a smaller number of portions, or guests who’d prefer a mint chocolate flavour. Check the allergens on the pack and make sure you can keep it in the freezer until serving.
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Snickers Chocolate Caramel and Peanut, 5 bars, 204 g
The five bars are counted separately from standard ice lolly sticks, and the recipe combines chocolate, caramel and peanuts. Check the pack label to make sure it’s suitable for your guests’ allergies.
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Magnum Double Chocolate, 4 ice lolly sticks, 284 g
The four-piece pack lets you plan portions for guests who’d like a chocolate recipe. Before buying, check the allergens and storage instructions on the exact pack.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to check the allergens if the children have eaten chocolate ice cream before?
Yes. Having eaten a different ice cream before doesn’t tell you what’s in the one you’re planning to serve. In France, allergens in pre-packed foods must be listed and highlighted, according to the Ministry of the Economy. Ask parents about dietary requirements and read the label on the pack you buy.
If there are no visible pieces of hazelnut, is an ice lolly suitable for someone with a nut allergy?
Not necessarily. The appearance of an ice lolly stick doesn’t replace the ingredients list or ‘may contain’ warnings. For example, the Magnum Classic variety featured by Auchan may contain nuts. Check the specific variety before offering it to a child with an allergy.
How should I transport ice lollies to the birthday party venue?
Pick up frozen products at the end of your shop, carry them in an insulated bag and put them in a freezer at the venue as soon as possible. These precautions follow the Anses guidance on keeping food cold. Also follow the storage instructions on each pack.