Anyone organising a group get-together
If you want to give each guest an individual portion, count the ice lollies before choosing how many packs to buy. Carrefour and Auchan offer packs with 8, 10 and 12 pieces, among other sizes.
Who is this for?
The right pack size depends on how many guests you’re expecting, which flavours you can serve them and how you plan to hand out the portions.
Hosts catering for guests with allergies
When sharing an assortment, the ingredients in each flavour matter. Depending on the product, Carrefour, Auchan and Magnum list milk, soya or nuts among their ingredients. Check the label on the exact pack you plan to serve.
Anyone comparing portion sizes
If you’re choosing between several boxes, check both the number of sticks and their size. A heavier pack doesn’t necessarily give you more individual portions.
What should you look for?
For a Bastille Day gathering, first work out how many people will want an ice lolly, then choose flavours that suit your group. Finally, compare portion sizes, which can vary between packs with the same number of pieces.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Number of portions | Count the pieces listed and check whether the pack contains one flavour or an assortment. | When I’m serving a group, I want everyone to be able to have an ice lolly without buying more boxes than I need. Around 45% of consumers are said to put the number of portions first. |
| Flavours and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack, including for each flavour in an assortment. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I need to choose a suitable flavour before looking for variety. Around 33% of consumers are said to prioritise suitable flavours. |
| Portion size | As well as the total number of sticks, compare the weight or volume stated for each one. | When comparing two boxes with the same number of pieces, I want to know what each portion contains before planning how to serve them. Around 22% of consumers are said to prioritise comparing portion sizes. |
What should you watch out for?
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Choosing a pack based on weight alone
The total weight doesn’t tell you how many people will get a portion. Carrefour, Auchan and Magnum offer different numbers of pieces depending on the product.
Count how many sticks you need for your group, then check the size of each portion.
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Assuming an assortment is suitable for every guest
Ingredients can vary from one stick to another. Depending on the product, flavours from Carrefour, Auchan and Magnum may contain milk, soya, almonds or other nuts. Some packs may also carry warnings about possible traces.
Ask guests about their allergies and check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the exact pack.
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Leaving the ice lollies out during the journey
Transport and preparation both add to the time the products spend out of the freezer. The DGCCRF recommends keeping the journey time for frozen products to a minimum and putting them back in the freezer promptly.
Buy frozen food last, use an insulated bag if possible and follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
Brands to consider when comparing pack sizes
These products show how pack sizes and ingredients can vary. Always check the exact product before working out portions and choosing flavours for your guests.
Magnum
Magnum offers boxes of 6 mini ice lollies; an Auchan range also lists an assortment of 10.
- These pack sizes let you choose a single flavour or an assortment to suit your group.
- The Mini Utopia Double Hazelnut product contains hazelnuts, almonds and pistachios, among other ingredients. Its ingredients won’t apply to every Magnum product.
Carrefour
Carrefour offers an assortment of 8 mini ice lollies under the Carrefour Extra brand and a box of 12 sticks under the Carrefour Classic' brand.
- The Carrefour Extra assortment is listed as containing 8 sticks weighing 32 g each, so you can check both the number and size of the portions.
- For this assortment, check the ingredients and allergen information on the specific product you buy before serving it.
Auchan
Auchan offers an assortment of 8 mini ice lollies with several different coatings.
- The flavours listed include milk, dark and white chocolate coatings, as well as an almond variety.
- This assortment contains milk and soya. Take particular care with the almond variety if any guests need to avoid nuts.
Ice lollies to share on Joybuy
These boxes and multipacks of ice lollies contain between 8 and 64 pieces, depending on the product. For Bastille Day, decide how many portions you need before checking the flavours, label and storage instructions for the pack you choose.
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Maison de la Glace, water ice lollies, 12 pieces
A multipack to consider if you’re planning 12 individual portions for your group.
The product description lists five flavours and a total weight of 1 200 g.
If a guest has an allergy, check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack before serving.
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CAPRI-SUN Orange & Cherry ice lollies, 12 pieces
A 12-piece pack to consider if you’re looking for orange and cherry-flavoured ice lollies for your group.
The stated total weight is 444 g.
Check the allergen information on the pack if it’s relevant to your guests.
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MR FREEZE Mister Freeze, 64 ice lollies, 105 ml each
The 64-piece multipack may suit you if you need to cater for a large group.
Each ice lolly is listed as 105 ml.
Check the packaging for storage instructions and, where applicable, whether the product needs to be frozen before planning transport and serving.
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Binggrae Melona Banana, 8 ice cream bars, 70 ml each
This banana-flavoured box provides 8 portions, making it a good option for a small group or as an addition to another box.
Each bar is listed as 70 ml.
Check the allergen information on the packaging if you need to take your guests’ allergies into account.
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Binggrae Melona Coconut, 8 ice cream bars, 70 ml each
This coconut-flavoured box contains 8 portions, which you can count towards the total number you need for your guests.
Each bar is listed as 70 ml.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack before serving it to a group that includes people with allergies.
Frequently asked questions
How many ice lollies should I get for a Bastille Day gathering?
Count how many guests are likely to want one, then check the number of pieces in each pack. If you’re expecting people to come back for seconds, add portions to suit your group rather than relying on the box weight alone.
Is an assortment suitable for someone with a nut allergy?
Not without checking the exact product. Some flavours listed by Carrefour, Auchan and Magnum contain almonds, hazelnuts or pistachios, and packaging may also carry warnings about possible traces. For pre-packed food sold in France, the DGCCRF says allergens must be highlighted in the ingredients list. Check this list and any other information on the pack before serving.
How should I transport ice lollies to the celebration?
Keep transport time to a minimum and put frozen products in the freezer promptly, following the DGCCRF’s guidance on maintaining the cold chain. An insulated bag is best for the journey; also follow the product’s own storage instructions.
What should I check on a pre-packed product before serving it?
Start by checking the number of pieces, ingredients and allergen information for the product you’ve chosen, then read the storage instructions. The DGCCRF says allergens must be highlighted in the ingredients list on pre-packed food. Don’t assume a flavour is allergen-free based on its name alone.