For a snack at a childcare setting, choose an ice lolly only if the setting allows this type of product, every child concerned can have the recipe you choose, and the lollies can be kept frozen until serving. A mini lolly makes individual portions easier to hand out, but its size tells you nothing about its allergens: the creamy varieties checked contain milk, while Oasis Tropical sorbet also carries a warning that it may contain milk. Check the label on the box you buy and the childcare setting’s guidance before choosing a flavour or selection.
You’re bringing a snack for a group of children and need to follow the childcare setting’s guidance and any relevant Individualised Care Plans (PAI). The recipes checked show that milk, nuts and ‘may contain’ warnings vary by product and sometimes by flavour.
You need to know how many children can have a whole lolly. The boxes described by the brands and retailers checked contain 6, 8 and 10 pieces for Magnum, Auchan and Oasis respectively. The number of individual lollies is more useful for counting portions than the total box weight alone.
You need to transport the frozen products and keep them cold until snack time. The DGCCRF stresses the importance of maintaining the cold chain, so check that a freezer will be available on site before choosing ice lollies.
When comparing mini creamy lollies, selections and sorbets, first check that the childcare setting allows them, review the allergens in each recipe and make sure the products can be kept frozen. Then compare the number of lollies and the flavours. A sorbet isn’t automatically suitable for someone with a milk allergy just because it’s called a sorbet.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens and guidance | Ask whether the snack you’re bringing is allowed, then check the allergens and ‘may contain’ warnings for the exact product. | If a child has an allergy or a PAI, I need to have the recipe and serving arrangements approved before buying. Around 31% of consumers would put this check first. |
| Number of portions | Count the lollies in each box and check the quantity per lolly if it’s shown. | If I’m serving one lolly to each child concerned, I need to know how many there are rather than rely on the total weight. Counting portions would be the priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Cold chain | Plan to transport the lollies in an insulated bag and check that a freezer will be available until serving. | If there’s a wait after the journey, I need to be able to keep the lollies frozen until they’re handed out. Around 25% of consumers would make keeping them cold their main concern. |
| Choice of flavours | If you choose a selection, check the ingredients of each variety separately. | Once the other requirements are met, I might want to offer a choice of flavours or a fruity recipe without handing out lollies at random. This variety would be a priority for around 13% of consumers. |
The Oasis Tropical sorbet listed by Carrefour carries a warning that it may contain milk, gluten, egg, soya, peanuts and nuts. The product category alone isn’t enough to tell you whether a child can have it.
If a child has an allergy, check the warning on the box you buy and have your choice approved in line with their PAI or the guidance that applies at the childcare setting.
Products listed by Carrefour, Auchan and Magnum include boxes of 4, 6 or 8 lollies. The total weight won’t tell you how many individual portions you can hand out.
Compare the number of lollies with the number of children who can have the product, and plan any other snacks you need separately.
Ice lollies need to stay frozen until they’re served. The DGCCRF reminds consumers that a rise in temperature speeds up microbial growth.
Check whether you can transport them in an insulated bag and store them in a freezer at the childcare setting. Follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
The Magnum and Auchan selections described by retailers include different recipes, some of which contain almonds. Approval for one flavour doesn’t automatically apply to the others.
Check the ingredients of each variety before deciding which lolly can be given to each child concerned.
These examples can help you compare specific pack sizes and recipes. A brand name doesn’t replace checking the label or getting approval from the childcare setting.
Magnum offers mini Classic ice lollies, as well as a selection of Classic, Almond and White Chocolate. The selection described by Auchan contains 6 × 55 ml lollies.
Carrefour offers vanilla and chocolate ice lollies in boxes of 4, including a variety weighing 75 g per lolly, as well as an almond version.
Auchan offers a selection of 8 mini ice lollies weighing 258 g in total.
The Oasis Tropical sorbet lollies listed by Carrefour come in a box of 10, weighing 400 g in total.
These products are individually portioned frozen treats, with boxes containing 4 to 12 lollies depending on the product. First, choose according to the childcare setting’s guidance, the allergens in each recipe and storage requirements. Then consider how many lollies you need.
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The box of 12 makes it easy to plan one lolly for each child concerned. The product information warns that it may contain milk, peanuts, nuts, soya and cereals containing gluten. Check the label and the childcare setting’s guidance.
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The six 60 ml lollies are suitable for serving individually if the childcare setting allows this format. This ice cream contains milk and may contain nuts and peanuts. Check the guidance for the children concerned.
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The eight 70 ml lollies make it easy to count portions before buying. The product contains milk. Its product information also warns that the colour E102 may have an adverse effect on children’s activity and attention. Bear this warning and the childcare setting’s guidance in mind before choosing it.
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The box contains four 90 ml lollies, so compare this with the number of children you need to serve. This ice cream contains milk. Check the exact recipe and dietary guidance, and make sure there’ll be a freezer available on site.
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The six mini lollies make it easy to serve individual portions, as long as each variety is suitable for the children concerned. The selection contains milk and may contain nuts. Check the ingredients for each flavour and the childcare setting’s guidance.
No. The Oasis Tropical sorbet listed by Carrefour carries a warning that it may contain milk. If a child has an allergy, check the exact product and follow their PAI and the childcare setting’s guidance. Don’t assume it’s suitable just because it’s called a ‘sorbet’.
Yes. ‘Mini’ describes the size, not the ingredients. The Magnum products and Auchan selection described by the brands and retailers checked contain milk. Ingredients and other allergens can vary between flavours in the same box.
Carry them in an insulated bag and put them in a freezer as soon as you arrive, if the childcare setting allows this. The DGCCRF stresses the importance of maintaining the cold chain. Also check the storage instructions for the product you buy.