For a Christmas get-together, choose mini lollies if you’d like to serve a smaller portion or offer a choice of flavours. A standard-size lolly is a better fit if everyone is having one for dessert. Check the number of lollies in the box and the amount in each one, then read the full ingredient list: an ice lolly described as vegan may still contain almonds or soya.
If you want to serve everyone an ice lolly without cutting anything up or dishing it out, compare the number of lollies in the box with the amount in each one. Whether you choose mini or standard size depends on how much room there is for dessert after the meal.
After a big meal, a mini lolly may be just enough for a sweet treat. The Magnum Mini selection featured by Magnum France contains six 55 mL lollies in three flavours, making it a good choice if you’d also like to offer a selection.
If a guest avoids certain ingredients or has an allergy, choose based on the label of the specific box. The word “vegan” is no substitute for reading the ingredients list and allergen information.
First decide whether you’re after a little treat or an individual dessert, then check that the flavours and ingredients are suitable for your guests. Compare quantities using the units shown: a weight in grams isn’t directly equivalent to a volume in millilitres.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Portion size | Check the amount in each lolly and the number of lollies, rather than judging by the size of the box alone. | After a big meal, I’d like a small ice lolly; if it’s going to be dessert, I’d prefer a standard size. Around 42% of consumers might prioritise portion size. |
| Flavours and serving | Check which flavours are included and whether there are enough lollies for your guests. | For a group with different tastes, I’d like to offer a few flavours without having to prepare each dessert separately. Variety and ease of serving might be priorities for around 33% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list, highlighted allergens and any “may contain” warnings on the box you’re considering. | If a guest needs to avoid an ingredient, I need to identify a suitable product before serving it. Around 25% of consumers might put this check first. |
The listing for Magnum Vegan Almond featured by Carrefour states that it contains almonds and soya, and may contain traces of milk and several types of tree nut. Choosing a vegan recipe alone therefore isn’t enough if you need to avoid specific allergens.
Check the ingredients and trace warnings on the box you’re going to serve. The DGCCRF says that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted on the labels of pre-packed foods.
The products featured by Magnum France and Carrefour include mini lollies of 55 mL, lollies weighing 75 g and others measuring 100 mL. The number of lollies, their weight and their volume each tell you something different.
Decide how much you’d like to serve each person, then compare the amount per lolly and the number in the box. Don’t convert weight to volume unless you have product-specific information.
A rise in temperature breaks the cold chain. The DGCCRF warns that this speeds up microbial growth, while the Carrefour Extra listing says not to refreeze a defrosted product.
Pick up frozen foods last, transport them appropriately and put them in the freezer as soon as you can, following the instructions on the packaging.
A product featured in an online range won’t necessarily be available in the shop or delivery area you choose when it’s time for your get-together.
As Christmas approaches, check the range and product information for your chosen place of purchase before planning how many desserts you’ll need.
Worth a look if you’re choosing between a selection of mini lollies, a standard-size almond lolly and a product described as vegan.
A vanilla and chocolate option to consider for individual servings: Carrefour features a box of four 75 g lollies.
Another option to compare when looking at pack sizes: E.Leclerc features a box of four Trium vanilla ice lollies coated in milk chocolate and almonds, weighing 314 g in total.
An option to consider if you’d like fruity flavours: the Auchan range features Auchan Bio Fruity Mix in a box of six, weighing 350 g in total.
This selection includes mini lollies, individual ice cream lollies and an ice lolly made with sorbet. For your get-together, compare the pack sizes without assuming that boxes with different total weights contain portions of the same size.
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A good choice if you’d like to offer a few flavours in mini size after a meal. The box contains six lollies and weighs 254 g in total; check the amount in each one and the allergens on the packaging.
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Worth considering if each guest would like an individual 100 mL ice lolly. The box contains four white chocolate and almond lollies; check the label for allergens.
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Choose these if you’d prefer to serve a 55 mL portion rather than a standard-size lolly. The box contains six Classic lollies; check the allergen information before serving.
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A coconut option to compare with chocolate ice cream if you’d like to offer a wider choice. The box contains four lollies and weighs 280 g in total. If you have young children coming, check the age guidance on the packaging as well as the allergen information.
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A way to offer individual portions of salted caramel and almond. The box contains three lollies and weighs 222 g in total; check the amount in each lolly and the allergens on the packaging.
Check the ingredients and trace warnings on the box you’re planning to serve rather than relying on the flavour name. The DGCCRF says that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted on the labels of pre-packed foods.
No. A vegan recipe doesn’t guarantee that these allergens are absent. Carrefour’s listing for Magnum Vegan Almond states that it contains almonds and soya, and may contain traces of milk and several types of tree nut. Always check the specific box.
Keep them cold during the journey and follow the storage instructions on the packaging. The DGCCRF warns that a rise in temperature speeds up microbial growth, while the Carrefour Extra listing says not to refreeze a defrosted product.