Campers with access to a freezer
You have access to a campsite or caravan freezer that can maintain the temperature stated on the packaging, and want to enjoy an ice lolly while you’re there.
Who might these formats suit?
Festival-goers who prefer a smaller portion
You’re looking for a mini ice lolly for a single treat and can keep the rest of the box frozen.
People who check ingredients carefully
You need to check the exact recipe and allergen information, particularly for milk, soya and nuts. The flavour name or the word “vegan” is no substitute for reading the label.
What should you check before buying?
First, work out where the ice lolly will stay frozen until you eat it. Then you can compare the size and ingredients to choose a portion to enjoy on your own.
| What to consider | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping it frozen | Check the storage temperature and make sure you’ll have access to a freezer until you’re ready to eat it. If you won’t, plan to buy one to enjoy straight away. | Without a freezer on site, I’d rather buy an ice lolly to eat straight away than try to keep it at the campsite. Keeping it frozen would be the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Portion size | Compare the weight or volume of each lolly and check whether it’s individually wrapped. | If I just fancy one, I’d rather have a small portion than a larger lolly. Around 29% of consumers would make portion size their priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and allergen information for the product you’re buying, including any possible traces. | If certain ingredients are a problem for me, I want to know exactly what’s in it before choosing a flavour. Ingredient suitability would come first for around 21% of consumers. |
| Leftover lollies | Check how many lollies are in the box and whether you can keep any you don’t eat frozen. | I’m buying for myself and don’t want the rest of the box to defrost. For around 14% of consumers, managing leftover lollies would be the main consideration. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming individual wrapping means it can be stored without a freezer
An individually wrapped ice lolly is still a frozen product. Its wrapper won’t keep it at the stated storage temperature.
Only take a box to the campsite if you have access to a suitable freezer. Otherwise, choose an ice lolly to eat straight after buying it.
The lollies you don’t eat may defrost before you get a chance to enjoy them.
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Judging allergens by the flavour
Depending on the product, recipes from Carrefour, Magnum and Auchan contain milk, soya or nuts. A flavour name doesn’t tell you everything on the label.
Read the ingredients and any trace warnings on the product you’re buying.
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Planning to have just one without checking how many are in the box
An ice lolly can be a single portion but still be sold in a multipack. So choosing a mini format doesn’t solve the problem of how to store the rest.
Check how many lollies are in the box before you buy, and make sure you have a freezer for any you won’t eat straight away.
Brands and retailers to consider
Magnum
Magnum sells boxes of ice lollies, including standard and mini formats, as well as a product called Vegan Amande x3.
- The Vegan Amande product is worth considering if you’re looking for that specific recipe.
- It contains almonds and carries warnings that it may contain traces of milk, soya and other nuts. Like other frozen ice lollies, it needs to be stored correctly.
Carrefour
The retailer sells ice lollies and mini ice lollies in boxes, among other products.
- The Carrefour Extra selection includes eight mini ice lollies weighing 32 g each, a format to consider if you’d prefer a smaller portion.
- This product contains milk, soya and almonds, and may contain traces of eggs and other nuts. Any lollies left over need to stay frozen.
Auchan
Auchan sells ice lollies under its own brand, as well as other frozen products.
- The Auchan vanilla product mentioned comes in a box of 12 ice lollies, weighing 450 g in total. It’s worth considering if you’ll be eating several portions and can store them correctly.
- The packaging says to store at –18 °C and not to refreeze after defrosting. The recipe contains milk, hazelnuts and soya.
Aldi
Aldi sells frozen mini ice lollies under the MUCCI® brand, among other products.
- A box of 12 MUCCI® mini ice lollies is a handy way to plan several smaller portions if you have access to a freezer.
- It’s a frozen multipack, so check which product is available locally and read the label before buying.
E.Leclerc
E.Leclerc Drive offers collection and delivery services to help you get your shopping ready before you set off.
- The retailer says it maintains the cold chain as part of its Drive service.
- Check which products are available from your chosen store and plan how you’ll keep frozen items stored once you’ve received them.
Lidl
Lidl France lists ice cream among its frozen products.
- This category is a useful starting point for checking what formats are available in your store.
- Check the number of lollies, ingredients and storage instructions for the product you choose in store.
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Frequently asked questions
Is a cool box enough to keep ice lollies frozen throughout a camping festival?
No, not unless it can maintain the stated storage temperature for the whole time. The Auchan and Carrefour products mentioned need to be stored at –18 °C and say not to refreeze once defrosted. ANSES advises limiting the time that products requiring refrigeration spend in transit. An insulated bag can help on the journey, but it won’t replace a freezer for storing ice lollies at the campsite.
Is a sorbet or an ice lolly labelled “vegan” guaranteed to be free from milk and other allergens?
No. Check the allergen information for the exact recipe, even if it’s a sorbet or a product described as plant-based. The DGCCRF says allergens must be clearly stated in writing. Magnum says its Vegan Amande product contains almonds and may contain milk, soya and other nuts.