Campers with a way to keep food cold
You can transport the fruit in line with its storage instructions and plan to eat it soon. Make sure your equipment can also keep it cold for the time you’ll be at the campsite.
Who are these options for?
Groups keeping an eye on quantities
You’re sharing the shopping between several people, so the weight of the bag matters just as much as how much the group can realistically eat before it can no longer be kept cold.
People who prefer a smaller portion
You want to serve a small amount or quickly make a dessert or smoothie. Choose a pack size that suits how you plan to use it, and check the defrosting instructions.
What should you check before buying?
When taking frozen fruit to a festival, first check that you can keep it cold, then consider how much you can eat and how you plan to prepare it.
| Factor | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping it cold | The storage temperature shown on the packaging and whether your equipment can maintain it until you eat the fruit. | I need to transport the fruit and then keep it at the campsite without breaking the cold chain; around 42% of consumers rank this as a priority. |
| Amount you can eat | The net weight of the bag and how much the group plans to eat once it has defrosted. | If I’m sharing a bag, I want to avoid having some left over once it has defrosted; this is a priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Pack size and preparation | Whether it’s a single portion or a sharing bag, the type of fruit and the defrosting instructions for your intended use. | If I’m making a smoothie or serving dessert on site, I need a pack size that suits the equipment available; around 25% of consumers prioritise this. |
Mistakes to avoid at the campsite
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Taking a large bag without planning how you’ll use it
Without a freezer at the campsite, you may be left with more defrosted fruit than your group can eat.
Work out how many portions you’ll need before choosing a pack size, and check the packaging instructions.
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Relying on a cool box for your whole stay
A cool box alone cannot guarantee that a frozen product will stay at the required storage temperature for an extended period. The DGCCRF reminds consumers that the cold chain also matters during transport and picnics.
Keep the journey short, use suitable equipment and don’t plan to store the fruit for several days if you can’t follow the packaging instructions.
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Ignoring the instructions for after defrosting
The Auchan and Thomas Le Prince red berry mixes featured in the product listings consulted state that the product must not be refrozen after defrosting.
Read the instructions for the product you buy before setting off, and prepare only the amount you plan to use.
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Forgetting food hygiene when eating raw berries
According to Anses, eating raw berries may be linked to norovirus infections.
Make sure you have drinking water for handwashing, and avoid preparing food if you have symptoms of gastroenteritis.
Retailers and brands to know
Picard
Picard offers frozen red berries and exotic fruit, as well as products made for smoothies.
- The range includes a 150 g bowl of red berries, worth considering if a smaller portion suits your plans.
- Even a single portion must still be kept according to the storage instructions for frozen food.
Carrefour
Carrefour offers plain frozen fruit, fruit mixes and smoothie packs across several of its brands.
- Strawberries and red berries are among the products featured.
- Check the weight and instructions for the product you choose before planning your portions.
E.Leclerc
The Marque Repère range includes frozen strawberries, red berries and exotic fruit.
- The range features 650 g bags of strawberries or red berries.
- If you’re staying somewhere without a freezer, make sure your group can eat the amount you choose.
Auchan
Auchan offers frozen fruit and mixes, including a 450 g mix of whole red berries.
- The mix is described as suitable for smoothies or baking.
- Its product listing says not to refreeze after defrosting.
Lidl
Lidl has offered organic frozen fruit in bags, including options for desserts and smoothies.
- The featured product comes in a resealable 400 g bag.
- Check the product available in store and its storage instructions.
ALDI
ALDI France offers frozen strawberries or blueberries under the ALL SEASONS® brand.
- The featured pack size for these fruits is 500 g.
- Check which fruit is available at your store and choose an amount you can keep cold.
Frozen fruit to prepare on site
These Joybuy products are suitable for making a dessert or smoothie if you have the equipment you need and can keep them at the required storage temperature until you eat them. Their pack sizes mean it’s worth planning your portions in advance.
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TCT Passion Fruit Chanh Day, 500 g
Worth considering for a smoothie or dessert if you can keep it cold until you eat it.
500 g pack; the stated storage temperature is −18 °C or below. Plan how much you’ll use after defrosting and follow the packaging instructions.
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Asian Choice Durian in Net Bag, 1 400 g
Worth considering for a dessert or smoothie to share, provided you have the equipment to prepare it and a suitable way to keep it cold.
1 400 g pack; the stated storage temperature is −18 °C or below. Check the packaging for instructions on what to do after defrosting before planning your portions.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take frozen fruit with me for several days at a festival?
Only if you can follow the storage instructions for the entire time. If you have no suitable way to keep it cold at the campsite, choose fresh fruit rather than relying on a cool box for several days.
Can I refreeze fruit that has defrosted in the cool box?
Don’t refreeze a product if its packaging says not to after defrosting. This instruction appears, for example, on the featured Auchan and Thomas Le Prince red berry mixes. Follow the instructions on the bag you buy.
What should I bring to eat raw berries at a festival?
Make sure you can maintain good hand hygiene and follow the product instructions. Anses says that eating raw berries may be linked to norovirus infections; don’t prepare food if you have symptoms of gastroenteritis.
How do I choose between a sharing bag and a small portion?
Choose based on the number of people, how you plan to prepare the fruit and how much you can eat once it has defrosted. A small portion can help reduce leftovers, while a larger bag means organising how to share it and following the storage instructions.