Anyone organising treats for a group
If every participant needs an ice lolly, the number of lollies matters more than the total weight of the box. Carrefour Classic' and Auchan each offer an assortment of 12 ice lollies.
Who are these pack sizes for?
Anyone who prefers a smaller portion
For a treat on your own or with a small group, check the size of each ice lolly and the number in the pack. Magnum, for example, offers a Mini Classic at 55 ml per lolly; Carrefour Extra has a box of four vanilla, chocolate and almond ice lollies.
Hosts who need to take allergies into account
Ingredients and ‘may contain’ information vary by product and sometimes by flavour. Before handing out ice lollies to a group, check the label on each product you’ve bought rather than relying on the brand name alone.
What should you check before choosing?
For an Easter egg hunt, start by counting the participants, then choose portion sizes and recipes that suit the people you’re serving. Plan from the outset how you’ll keep the ice lollies frozen until it’s time to hand them out.
| What to consider | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Number of portions | Count the participants and compare the number of ice lollies listed on each box. If you need to transport them, also plan how to keep them cold. | I want to give everyone an ice lolly without running short while handing them out; around 42% of consumers make this their top priority. |
| Portion size and pack size | Compare the number of ice lollies, the net weight and, where stated, the volume of each lolly. | For a small gathering, I prefer portions whose size and number suit the people there; this is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Recipe and allergens | Read the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ information on the packaging for the flavour you’re buying, especially if anyone has dietary restrictions. | If I’m serving several people, I need to be able to check the recipe of each ice lolly before handing them out; around 25% of consumers put this suitability first. |
Mistakes to avoid
-
Assuming the box weight tells you how many portions are inside
Packs with different weights don’t necessarily contain the same number of ice lollies. Carrefour, Auchan and Aldi offer products that include boxes of four or 12.
Count the participants, then check the number of ice lollies listed for the exact product you’re buying.
-
Assuming a chocolate or vanilla flavour will suit everyone
Some of the recipes reviewed contain milk, almonds or hazelnuts; others carry ‘may contain’ warnings. The flavour alone won’t tell you which allergens a product contains.
Check the label on every box. Only plan a different recipe for someone with an allergy or dietary restriction after checking its ingredients and ‘may contain’ information.
-
Taking the ice lollies out before you’re ready to serve them
Spending a long time away from home makes it harder to keep products frozen. Anses advises limiting the time frozen food is in transit and using an insulated bag.
Buy the ice lollies at the end of your shopping trip, carry them in an insulated bag and keep them in the freezer until you’re ready to serve. Follow the packaging instructions if a product has thawed.
Brands to know for these pack sizes
Magnum
Magnum’s Mini Classic is a 55 ml vanilla ice lolly coated in milk chocolate. It’s worth considering if you’re looking for a smaller portion.
- The stated volume makes it easy to compare this portion with the other sizes you’re considering.
- For this particular Mini Classic, the brand lists milk and possible traces of nuts. Check the packaging before serving.
Carrefour Classic'
Carrefour offers a 450 g box of 12 chocolate and vanilla ice lollies, making it easy to count out portions for a group.
- The 12 ice lollies make it easy to plan how you’ll share them before the hunt.
- Ingredients and ‘may contain’ information vary between ice lollies. Check the label for the flavours you’ve bought.
Auchan
Auchan offers a 450 g assortment of 12 vanilla and chocolate ice lollies, as well as a POUCE product containing 12 for 402 g.
- These pack sizes make it easy to count the portions you’ll be handing out.
- Ingredients and allergens vary between the two products. Auchan advises storing them at −18 °C and says not to refreeze a product that has thawed.
Carrefour Extra
Carrefour offers a pack of four vanilla ice lollies coated in milk chocolate and roasted almonds, ideal for a small group.
- Carrefour’s product information confirms that this particular recipe contains roasted almonds.
- Bear in mind that these ice lollies contain milk and almonds before offering them to anyone with allergies.
MUCCI
Aldi offers packs under the MUCCI brand containing either 12 mini ice lollies or four double-coated ice lollies.
- The two pack sizes suit different numbers of people.
- Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging of the product you choose; don’t assume that one size has the same ingredients as the other.
Individual ice lollies available on Joybuy
These packs of four to 12 portions include water ice lollies, ice cream bars and sorbet sticks. Choose according to how many people you’re serving, the recipe you’re looking for and the information on the packaging.
Image unavailable
CAPRI-SUN Orange & Cherry Ice Pops, x12, 444 g
This pack of 12 orange and cherry water ice lollies makes it easy to plan one portion per person for a group. Check the packaging for ‘may contain’ information before handing them out.
Image unavailable
Binggrae Melona Melon Ice Bar, 8 × 70 ml
These eight melon ice bars are ideal when you know how many portions you need. If your group includes children, check the label for milk and the warning relating to the colour E102.
Image unavailable
MAGNUM Vanilla Almond Ice Cream Bars, x8, 600 g
This pack of eight vanilla, chocolate and almond ice cream bars is ideal for a group looking for this particular recipe. Check the information about milk, nuts and small pieces of almond before serving them to young children.
Image unavailable
Maison de la Glace Water Ice Pops, 5 parfums, x12, 1 200 g
These 12 water ice lollies come in five flavours, giving people a choice when you hand them out. If anyone has dietary restrictions, check the allergens on the pack label before serving.
Image unavailable
POP FRUIT Sorbet Sticks 100% Coconut, x4, 280 g
These four coconut sorbet sticks are a good choice for a small group. The product information says they’re not suitable for children under 36 months; also check the packaging for ‘may contain’ information.
Frequently asked questions
What size pack should I get for an Easter egg hunt with several participants?
Start by counting the people you’re serving, then choose a pack with at least the same number of portions. Carrefour Classic' and Auchan offer boxes of 12 ice lollies; also make sure you can keep them frozen until you hand them out.
How should I transport ice lollies to the hunt?
Carry them in an insulated bag and keep the journey as short as possible, as Anses advises for frozen food. If the hunt is going to run on for a while outdoors, plan how you’ll keep the ice lollies frozen until it’s time to serve them.
Can you refreeze ice lollies once they’ve thawed?
Don’t refreeze a thawed product if the packaging says not to. This instruction appears on some products offered by Auchan and Carrefour. Follow the storage instructions on the pack you’ve bought.
How can I check for allergens before handing out ice lollies?
Read the highlighted ingredients and any ‘may contain’ information on the packaging of each product. DGCCRF reminds consumers that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted on the labels of prepacked foods in France; the flavour name is no substitute for checking the label.