When choosing a treat ice lolly for a child, first check the allergens in the specific product and the amount in each stick, then compare the flavours. A mini size can help you find a smaller portion, but it doesn’t change the ingredients: the recipes reviewed contain milk, and some also contain soya or nuts.
If your child needs to avoid milk, soya or nuts, check the ingredients on the chosen pack before considering the flavour. The NUII salted caramel and macadamia recipe featured by Carrefour contains milk, macadamia and soya. If you’re sharing a snack, check the needs of every child too.
If the amount served to each child matters, compare the volume of each stick rather than just the number of lollies in the pack. Magnum lists its Mini Classic box as 6 × 55 ml.
Chocolate, caramel and nuts can all feature in different recipes, even within the same range. Compare the exact variety and its ingredients: the word “luxury” tells you nothing about portion size or whether it’s suitable for your child’s needs.
First rule out recipes containing an allergen that needs to be avoided, then compare the amount in each stick. Flavour can help you choose between products that meet these requirements.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens | Read the ingredients and precautionary statements on the exact pack, especially for milk, soya and nuts. | If my child needs to avoid an ingredient, I want to rule out any recipe containing it before choosing a flavour. Around 42% of consumers would put this check first. |
| Portion | Compare the volume or weight of each stick, as well as the number in the pack; Magnum lists Mini Classic as 6 × 55 ml. | If I want to serve a smaller amount at a time, I look for a format with a clearly stated portion size. This would be the main consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
| Recipe | Compare the flavours and ingredients of each variety; don’t assume that every product in a range has the same recipe. | Once I’ve checked the ingredients and portion size, I want to choose between chocolate, caramel or a recipe with nuts. Variety would come first for around 33% of consumers. |
One variety may include ingredients that another doesn’t. The NUII salted caramel and macadamia recipe described by Carrefour contains milk, macadamia and soya.
Check the label on the box you’re actually buying, even if you already know the brand.
This positioning doesn’t tell you how much you’ll be serving. For example, Magnum lists Mini Classic as 55 ml per stick.
Compare the amount in each stick and the number of sticks before choosing a format for your child.
Carrefour Sensation includes different flavours, such as chocolate, caramel and pistachio chocolate. Check the ingredients of each one separately.
Look up the details of the exact variety and check its packaging when you buy it.
The range includes ice cream sticks with a chocolate coating. Magnum lists Mini Classic in a box of 6 × 55 ml.
Some recipes combine several flavours and inclusions, such as the salted caramel and macadamia variety featured by Carrefour.
This supermarket own-brand range brings together several ice cream stick recipes, including double chocolate and salted butter caramel.
These two Magnum boxes contain mini ice cream sticks. Compare the stated quantity, recipe and label for each variety to find one that suits your child’s needs.
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This pack of 6 mini sticks may appeal to families looking to compare a caramel recipe in an individual format. The box states a total weight of 282 g. Check the amount per stick and, if your child has dietary requirements, the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.
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If you’re looking for a clearly stated amount per stick, this pack contains 6 sticks, each measuring 55 ml, with vanilla ice cream coated in milk chocolate. Even with a mini format, check the box for milk, soya and any precautionary statements about nuts.
Check the ingredients list and precautionary statements on the packaging for the exact product. The DGCCRF reminds consumers that pre-packed food labels include an ingredients list. Don’t rely on the flavour name alone.
No. “Mini” describes the size, not whether the ingredients are suitable for your child’s needs. Magnum lists Mini Classic as 55 ml per stick; check the recipe on the box you choose too.
No. The variety featured by Carrefour contains pieces of macadamia nut, as well as milk and soya. Check the label separately for any other variety.
No. This is a positioning term, not a substitute for nutritional information or the ingredients list. To compare two ice lollies, look at the nutritional values on the same basis, the amount in each stick and the ingredients in each recipe.