For a solo meal at a festival campsite, choose a frozen dessert if you can keep it frozen according to the instructions on the packaging until mealtime, or buy it just before eating and keep it chilled on the way. If you don’t have a freezer for leftovers, a single-portion dessert means you won’t need to open a multipack. If you need to store your dessert at the campsite for later, choose a non-frozen option instead.
If you can keep the dessert frozen until mealtime, a pastry labelled “1 portion” or an individually sold frozen dessert helps you avoid leftovers. Picard has examples of both formats; check the instructions for the product you choose.
If you buy your dessert just before eating it, an individual frozen treat means no cutting is needed. Anses recommends picking up frozen foods at the end of your shop and using an insulated bag to carry them. If you don’t have a freezer for any remaining items, avoid multipacks that need to be stored.
If you plan to keep your dessert at the campsite for another meal, don’t choose a frozen option unless you have a suitable freezer. The Ministry of Agriculture says a three-star freezer compartment at −18 °C can store frozen foods until their best-before date. An insulated bag is for transport, not long-term storage.
First decide when you’ll eat the dessert and where it will stay frozen until then. Next, choose between a single portion and a multipack, then check the preparation instructions on the packaging.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping it cold | Make sure you have access to a freezer and follow the temperature and storage instructions on the packaging. For the journey, take an insulated bag, as recommended by Anses. | I want to keep my dessert for another meal: without a suitable freezer, I’ll avoid frozen options. Storage would come first for around 50% of consumers. |
| A portion with no leftovers | Look for “1 portion” or “sold individually”, and check the number of items and the net weight on the packaging. | If I’m eating alone and don’t want leftovers, I’ll look for a single portion rather than a multipack. Around 30% of consumers would make a no-leftovers portion their priority. |
| Easy to serve | Read the defrosting or cooking instructions and check whether you’ll need a spoon. | At mealtime, I want to avoid cutting and preparation. For around 20% of consumers, ease of serving would be the main consideration. |
An insulated bag helps you transport frozen foods, but it can’t replace a freezer for keeping them until your next meals.
Before buying, check where the dessert will be stored and read the packaging instructions. If there’s no freezer available, choose a non-frozen dessert for a later meal.
An individual treat may come in a multipack. Carrefour, for example, sells a pack of ten frozen bites, while Auchan sells a box of six mochis.
If you can’t store any remaining items, look for a product sold as “1 portion” or individually, and check the number of items on the packaging.
Anses and the Ministry of Agriculture advise against refreezing food once it has thawed. So, if you open a multipack at the campsite, you can’t put the remaining items back in the freezer after they’ve thawed.
Only buy as much as you can keep frozen or eat in line with the product instructions after thawing.
The word “individual” doesn’t always tell you how many items are in the pack. Ingredients and allergens also depend on the exact product. The DGCCRF notes that allergens must be highlighted on the labels of relevant foods.
Before you set off, read the ingredients and allergens, net weight, number of items, date and storage instructions.
Picard offers frozen pastries labelled “1 portion”, as well as frozen desserts sold individually.
Carrefour’s frozen dessert range includes smaller formats, such as bite-sized treats.
Auchan’s frozen food range includes frozen mochis.
E.Leclerc offers Bio Village ice creams and frozen desserts, with the option to collect your order in store.
A cool box or insulated bag is for transport, but it can’t replace a freezer for keeping your dessert for several days. Anses recommends buying frozen foods at the end of your shop, carrying them in an insulated bag and keeping the journey as short as possible. Then follow the product’s storage instructions.
No. Anses and the Ministry of Agriculture advise against refreezing food once it has thawed. Follow the packaging instructions for eating the dessert after thawing, rather than planning to keep it for another day.
Follow the temperature shown on the packaging. The Ministry of Agriculture says a three-star freezer compartment at −18 °C can store frozen foods until their best-before date. This is a general guide, so you should still follow the instructions for the dessert you’ve bought.
Check the number of items and the net weight: a box of mini desserts may contain several portions, while a product labelled “1 portion” is a single serving. To check for allergens, read the ingredients list for the exact product. The DGCCRF notes that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted on the labels of relevant foods.