Hosts who want to count portions
If you’re planning to give each guest one lolly, with a few spare, check the number of pieces in the box. Where the weight per lolly is listed, it can also help you compare portion sizes.
Who are mini formats for?
Groups with different tastes
If your guests have different preferences, an assortment means you don’t have to choose just one recipe. Magnum, for example, offers a box featuring Classic, Almond and White Chocolate.
Hosts mindful of allergens
If one of your guests has an allergy, check the label on the exact box before serving. The Carrefour Extra and Auchan assortments described here include recipes containing milk, soya or almonds.
What should you look for?
When planning what to serve, start with the number of guests. Then compare the boxes by portion size, flavours and ingredients to avoid.
| What to consider | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Number and size of portions | Number of lollies and weight per piece, if listed, or the net weight and number of pieces expressed in the same unit. | I want to serve one to each guest without choosing a box based on its total weight alone; around 50% of consumers would prioritise counting portions. |
| Variety of flavours | The recipes actually included in the box and the unit used to describe their format. | When everyone around the table has different tastes, I’d rather offer several recipes without buying lots of boxes; this would be a priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and storage | Ingredients and allergens for the exact product, followed by cold transport and storage requirements. | If a guest needs to avoid an ingredient, I check every recipe before serving and keep the lollies frozen; around 20% of consumers would prioritise these precautions. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming all “mini” lollies are the same size
Carrefour Extra lists each lolly at 32 g, while Auchan’s figures work out at around 32.25 g per piece and ALDI’s at around 35.75 g per piece. The latter two figures are calculated from the net weight of each box.
Compare the number of pieces first. To estimate the average weight of a portion, divide the net weight by the number of pieces only when both figures use the same unit. Don’t compare millilitres directly with grams.
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Choosing an assortment without checking every recipe
A box containing several flavours may include different ingredients in different lollies, including nuts in some recipes. A flavour that seems suitable doesn’t mean the whole box is safe.
Read the label on the product you’re buying and keep the packaging handy while serving. If a guest needs to avoid an allergen, have a separate option with ingredients you’ve checked.
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Taking all the lollies out while you get ready
Ice lollies are frozen products, so leaving them on the table before your guests arrive interrupts cold storage. Anses and the DGCCRF stress the importance of keeping frozen food at a low temperature.
Take the boxes straight to the freezer, then only take the portions out when you’re ready to serve them.
Brands and retailers to consider
Magnum
Magnum offers an assortment of mini Classic, Almond and White Chocolate lollies for groups who’d like a choice of recipes.
- The box described by the brand contains 6 lollies of 55 ml each.
- The Almond recipe needs particular care if anyone has a nut allergy. Volume in millilitres can’t be compared directly with weight in grams.
Carrefour
The Carrefour Extra mini lolly assortment is a good fit if you want the number and weight of portions to be easy to check.
- Carrefour lists 8 lollies at 32 g each.
- The recipes described include milk, soya and an almond variety. Check the label on the box you choose.
Auchan
Auchan offers an assortment of 8 mini ice lollies with a net weight of 258 g.
- The calculated average weight is around 32.25 g per piece.
- Ingredients vary between products and recipes in the assortment. Check the ingredients and allergens on the box you choose.
E.Leclerc / TRIUM
E.Leclerc offers TRIUM coconut-rock-style mini lollies in a box of 4, weighing 202 g.
- A pack of 4 may suit a smaller gathering or make a useful addition to another box.
- Check the ingredients and allergens on the detailed product information or packaging before offering them to guests who need to avoid certain ingredients.
ALDI / MUCCI
ALDI offers a MUCCI box of 12 mini lollies weighing 429 g, worth considering when the number of portions matters.
- The calculated average weight is around 35.75 g per lolly.
- Check the recipe and ingredients, and confirm that this product is available at the store where you plan to shop.
Lidl
Lidl is another retailer to check when planning your party shop.
- You can check the offers at your selected supermarket.
- Before choosing a box, check the number of pieces, ingredients and allergens for the specific product at your local store.
Joybuy products for serving
These boxes include six-piece Magnum mini lollies and 12-piece CAPRI-SUN Ice Pops in orange and cherry flavours. Compare the number of pieces and format before choosing for your party.
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Magnum Mini Classic, Almond and White Chocolate, 6 pieces, 254 g
Serve six portions and offer the three recipes listed on the box. If a guest has an allergy, check the ingredients for each variety.
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CAPRI-SUN Orange & Cherry Ice Pops, 12 pieces, 444 g
Count out twelve individual ice pops in orange and cherry flavours. The product name doesn’t specify that these are mini-sized, so compare the weight per piece with the lollies you’re considering and check the label for allergens.
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Magnum Mini Classic, 6 lollies of 55 ml each
Plan for six mini portions of the same recipe. Each lolly is listed as 55 ml; don’t compare this volume directly with the weight in grams of another box, and check the label if anyone has an allergy.
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Magnum Double Billionaire's Mini, 6 lollies, 282 g
Plan for six portions of the same mini product. The box has a net weight of 282 g; check the label on the exact product for ingredients and allergens before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How many mini ice lollies should I get for Halloween?
Start by allowing one per guest if the ice lollies are part of a buffet, then adjust for anyone who might want another. When choosing how many boxes to buy, go by the number of pieces listed rather than the total weight alone. The packs featured here range from 4 to 12 pieces.
Is an assortment of mini lollies suitable for someone with an allergy?
Don’t offer one without checking the label on the exact box and its different recipes. Depending on the product, the assortments described here may contain milk, soya or almonds. Anses highlights the importance of labelling information for people with allergen sensitivities.
How should I transport ice lollies after shopping or collection?
Keep the ice lollies cold during the journey and put them in the freezer as soon as you can. Pick up frozen foods last, and take an insulated bag if your journey calls for one. Anses and the DGCCRF stress the importance of maintaining the cold chain.