For a standard school lunchbox, don’t choose ice lollies by default: they need to stay frozen in line with the instructions on the label, and an insulated bag doesn’t prove they’ll stay that way until snack time. They may be an option only if the school confirms it can store and serve frozen products. You’ll then need to check the ingredients of each variety and any dietary requirements that apply to your child.
If dessert needs to stay in a lunchbox for several hours, first check whether it can be kept frozen until it’s served. Anses highlights the importance of maintaining the cold chain; an insulated lunchbox alone doesn’t show that the storage conditions stated on the packaging will be met.
If an individual care plan (PAI) sets out dietary requirements, the product you choose and how it’s served must follow the arrangements agreed with the school. France’s Ministry of Education says that a PAI can set out such arrangements.
If a freezer and suitable serving arrangements are confirmed, you can compare the number of ice lollies, portion sizes and flavours. This is different from leaving an ice lolly in a lunchbox until snack time.
Storage is the first thing to consider when deciding whether ice lollies are suitable for school. If they can be kept frozen, check any dietary requirements, then choose a format that works for serving.
| Criteria | What to check | Relevant to |
|---|---|---|
| Storage until serving | Confirm with the school how the ice lollies will be transported, put in the freezer and served; follow the storage temperature shown on the box. | If the ice lolly needs to be kept until snack time, I need to know where it will stay frozen before choosing a flavour. Around 50% of consumers put this at the top of their list of concerns. |
| Allergens and PAI | Read the ingredients for the specific product and each variety; check the arrangements agreed with the school if a PAI applies. | To follow my child’s dietary requirements, I need to be able to check exactly what’s in the box. This compatibility is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Portions and assortment | Compare the number of ice lollies, the amount in each one and the flavours actually included. | Once storage and dietary requirements are taken care of, I look for portions that are easy to hand out and varieties that suit the group. Format is then the top consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
An insulated container can be useful for transport, but it doesn’t prove that an ice lolly will stay at the required storage temperature throughout the school day. Anses recommends keeping transport time for frozen products to a minimum; the product information for Pouce ice lollies checked at Auchan states that they should be stored at −18 °C.
Before buying, ask the school how the product will be dropped off, stored and served.
Depending on the product, the ice lollies featured here contain milk and may also contain almonds, soya or egg. The Häagen-Dazs product information checked at Auchan also mentions the possibility of peanuts and other nuts.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact packaging before comparing it with your child’s dietary requirements.
The Magnum Mini Classic, Almond and White Chocolate assortment contains three varieties, including one with almonds. So approval for one flavour doesn’t automatically apply to the whole box.
Check each variety you plan to serve and, where applicable, follow the arrangements set out in the PAI with the school.
The brand offers a box of six Mini Classic, Almond and White Chocolate ice lollies, each 55 ml. Consider it only if there are arrangements in place to store and serve frozen ice lollies.
The box of vanilla, caramel and almond ice lollies shown at Auchan contains four, each weighing 70 g.
The Pouce box of six ice lollies combines vanilla, milk chocolate and almonds. It’s another format to consider for serving frozen.
Not unless there are confirmed arrangements to keep it frozen until serving. The product information for Pouce ice lollies at Auchan states that they should be stored at −18 °C, and a standard lunchbox doesn’t prove that this condition will be met during the school day.
An insulated bag alone doesn’t show that ice lollies will stay at the temperature stated on the label until snack time. Anses recommends using one to transport frozen products while keeping the journey as short as possible; also ask the school where the ice lollies will be stored once they arrive.
Choose only a product and serving method that fit the arrangements set out in the PAI with the school. Check the ingredients and allergen information for every variety on the packaging you buy, especially if it’s an assortment.
Not for the Pouce and Häagen-Dazs products featured here: their product information at Auchan says not to refreeze a thawed product. Check the instructions on the box you buy.