For a birthday party, choose individually wrapped ice lollies and count how many children you need to cater for. Then check the portion size and allergens for the exact product. A mini format or a large box doesn’t mean you can overlook guests’ dietary requirements or leave the lollies out of the freezer until serving time.
You’re planning a party for several children and need to know about their dietary requirements before choosing the ice lollies. Check the label on each product: ingredients and ‘may contain’ warnings can differ between two vanilla-and-chocolate lollies.
You want to plan for one ice lolly per child, with a few extra portions if needed. The number of lollies in the box is your first guide; the volume of each lolly can then help you choose the portion size you want.
You’re collecting the ice lollies before the party and need to be able to put them in the freezer promptly. Plan to take them out only when it’s time to serve: the instructions for the Auchan and Carrefour products reviewed say not to refreeze after thawing.
For a birthday party, first find out about the children’s dietary requirements. Then work out how many portions you need and plan how to keep the lollies frozen until serving time.
| What to check | What to look for | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the label on the box you’ve chosen, including highlighted allergens and ‘may contain’ warnings. Ask the children’s parents or carers which dietary requirements you need to consider. | If any guests have dietary requirements, I want to identify the ingredients before buying the ice lollies. Around 40% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
| Number and size of portions | Compare the number of lollies with the number of children, then check the volume of each one where it’s shown. For example, Magnum specifies 55 ml for each Mini Classic. | To make sure there’s one for every child, without confusing the box weight with the number of lollies, I start by counting them. Around 30% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
| Storage and serving | Check the temperature and storage instructions on the packaging. Plan the journey home to the freezer and don’t refreeze a product once it has thawed. | If I buy the ice lollies before the party, I need to be able to keep them frozen until dessert. Around 30% of consumers would make keeping them cold their main concern. |
Depending on the product, the ingredients listed may include milk, soya or nuts, and ‘may contain’ warnings can vary. So a recipe that seems simple won’t necessarily be suitable for every guest.
Check the label of the exact variety you’re buying and take into account the dietary requirements shared by the children’s parents or carers. The DGCCRF reminds shoppers that allergens must be highlighted in the ingredients list on prepacked foods.
The total weight won’t tell you how many children you can serve. The boxes mentioned from Carrefour, Auchan, Magnum and E.Leclerc contain different numbers of ice lollies.
Count the lollies before deciding how many boxes to buy, then check the size of each portion if that matters for your party.
The instructions for the Auchan and Carrefour products reviewed say to store them at −18 °C and not to refreeze them once thawed.
Plan to put them back in the freezer as soon as you get home, and take them out when you’re ready to hand them out, following the instructions on the packaging.
These products give you an idea of pack sizes and ingredients. Always check the information on the box you’re planning to buy.
Magnum offers Classic in a box of four and Mini Classic in a box of six 55 ml portions.
Carrefour offers SIMPL vanilla-and-chocolate ice lollies in a box of six, with a stated total weight of 483 g.
E.Leclerc offers an ECO+ box of 16 vanilla-and-chocolate ice lollies, weighing 536 g.
Auchan offers an assortment of 12 vanilla-and-chocolate ice lollies, as well as a 12-piece POUCE variety.
Carrefour offers Kinder chocolate, caramel and milk ice lollies in a box of four.
These packs of individual ice lollies let you choose based on the number of portions, flavours and, in some cases, mini size. Before serving a group of children, check the allergens and storage instructions for each box.
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The individually packed lollies make it easy to plan one per child for a party.
Check the box for any ‘may contain’ warnings for gluten, peanuts, soya, milk and nuts. Store at −18 °C or below and don’t refreeze after thawing.
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The stated volume of each ice lolly helps you choose portion sizes for a small group.
This product contains milk and may contain nuts and peanuts, so check the label before serving. Store at −18 °C or below and don’t refreeze after thawing.
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The box of six makes it easy to count out ice lollies for a small party.
This product contains milk and may contain traces of nuts, peanuts, eggs and soya, so check the packaging. If portion size matters, check the volume of each ice lolly too. Store at −18 °C or below and don’t refreeze after thawing.
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This pack contains eight individual mini portions, with a variety of flavours to offer at your party.
Check the box for ‘may contain’ warnings, particularly for milk, nuts, peanuts and soya. If the volume of each lolly matters to you, check the packaging too. Store at −18 °C or below and don’t refreeze after thawing.
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The mini size gives you a clear guide to the size of each portion.
This product contains milk and may contain almonds, so check the label for your guests’ allergies. Follow the storage instructions on the box.
Yes. Ingredients and ‘may contain’ warnings vary from one product to another. The DGCCRF reminds shoppers that allergens in prepacked foods must be highlighted in the ingredients list. Read the label on the box you’ve bought, keeping your guests’ dietary requirements in mind.
Start by planning one portion per child, then divide the number of portions you need by the number of ice lollies in each box. If portion size matters, check the volume of each one too: for example, Magnum Mini Classic comes in six 55 ml portions.
No. The instructions for the Auchan and Carrefour products mentioned say not to refreeze once thawed. Plan to put the ice lollies in the freezer as soon as you get home, and follow the storage instructions on the box you’ve chosen.