For a festival or a get-together, choose the number of mini ice lollies based on how many people you’re serving and whether you can keep them frozen until serving time. A box of 10 to 12 keeps the amount of packaging you need to carry down, while an assortment gives you a choice of flavours. In either case, check the allergens for the product you choose.
You’re planning an individual dessert for a group. Start by counting your guests before choosing how many boxes to buy. ALDI France and Auchan France, for example, offer packs of 12 mini ice lollies. You may need several boxes for a larger group.
If you don’t know everyone’s preferences, an assortment can give you a choice of flavours. However, check the ingredients and allergen information for each product, especially if someone needs to avoid certain ingredients.
If your journey or the wait before serving is likely to be a long one, decide how much to buy based on the storage options available to you. The DGCCRF reminds shoppers that the cold chain must also be maintained during transport.
First, make sure you can keep the products frozen. Then choose the number of ice lollies and flavours to suit your group. A larger pack won’t solve transport problems or dietary restrictions.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Number of portions | Count the individual ice lollies rather than relying on the total weight alone. ALDI France and Auchan France offer boxes of 12 mini ice lollies, compared with 6 in the Mini Classic from Magnum Ice Cream France. Then work out how many boxes you’ll need. | If I’m serving one ice lolly to each guest, I want to know how many people the boxes will cater for. Around 40% of consumers reportedly put the number of portions first. |
| Flavours and allergens | Compare the flavours, then check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the exact pack. Different flavours or pack sizes from the same brand may have different ingredients. | When tastes differ or someone needs to avoid an ingredient, I want to be able to identify suitable flavours without assuming that the whole assortment is right for them. This would be the priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Keeping them frozen | Follow the storage temperature on the packaging and plan for transport as well as suitable storage at your destination. The DGCCRF recommends keeping journey times short and using an insulated bag. | If we’re not serving the ice lollies as soon as we arrive, I need to be able to keep them frozen until then. Transport and storage reportedly come first for around 30% of consumers. |
A sharing pack can contain 6, 8, 10 or 12 ice lollies, depending on the product. The total weight alone won’t tell you how many individual portions there are.
Check the number of ice lollies in each box, then compare the total with the number of people you’re planning to serve.
The products reviewed from Carrefour France, Auchan France and Magnum Ice Cream France have different ingredients or may contain warnings, particularly for milk, soya, almonds and other nuts.
Check the exact product you’re buying and have a separate option ready if someone has dietary restrictions. A variety of flavours doesn’t guarantee that they’re all suitable.
Your journey, the wait and serving time all need to be factored into your plans. The DGCCRF reminds shoppers that a rise in temperature can affect food storage and that the cold chain also applies during transport.
Buy frozen products last, keep the journey short and take an insulated bag, along with a suitable way to store them when you arrive.
Ordering options depend on the store and your address. For the local service reviewed, E.Leclerc DRIVE offers a choice of collection slot, while delivery depends on whether your address is eligible.
Before planning your event around an order, check your chosen store, product availability and the collection slot on offer.
Mini ice lollies to consider if you want to put together a sharing selection using boxes of specific flavours.
A retailer where you can compare its own-brand assortment with different pack sizes.
A range of mini ice lolly packs to compare, depending on how many guests you’re catering for and which flavours you’d like.
A retailer to consider if arranging grocery collection is just as important as choosing a pack.
If you’re considering shopping at Lidl, check the pack sizes available at the store where you plan to shop.
A pack to consider when counting portions is a priority.
These packs of ice lollies and individual frozen desserts let you compare portion numbers and flavours for sharing. Choose an amount that suits your group, then check the labels and storage instructions before planning how to transport them.
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For a group looking to serve 12 portions with orange and cherry flavours.
The product information warns that it may contain traces of cereals containing gluten, peanuts, soya, milk and nuts. Check the label on the pack you buy if someone needs to avoid these ingredients.
Keep the product frozen during transport. The product information says not to refreeze it after defrosting.
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For serving 12 portions, with a choice of five flavours.
The product information advises against this product for people at risk of an allergic reaction. If this applies to anyone in your group, check the full declaration on the packaging before choosing this pack.
Make sure you have a suitable way to keep the product frozen during transport and while you wait to serve it.
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For serving eight portions in one flavour, melon, rather than a selection.
The product information mentions milk and warns that the colour E102 may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging during transport and do not refreeze the product after defrosting.
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For serving four coconut ice lollies. If you have a larger group, work out how many packs you’ll need.
The product information warns that it may contain traces of several allergens, including eggs, peanuts, soya, milk and nuts. It also states that the product is not suitable for children under 36 months.
Keep the product frozen and do not refreeze it after defrosting.
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For serving eight portions in the same coconut flavour.
If anyone in your group has dietary restrictions, check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack before buying.
Plan transport and storage at your destination so you can follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
Start with the number of people you want to serve an ice lolly to, taking any other desserts into account. Products from Magnum Ice Cream France, Carrefour France, Auchan France and ALDI France include boxes of 6 to 12 mini ice lollies. Add up the number of ice lollies in the packs you choose, without buying more than you can keep frozen.
An assortment gives you a choice of flavours, but it won’t automatically cater for every dietary restriction. The EXTRA assortment offered by Carrefour France contains milk, soya and almonds, among other ingredients. Check the ingredients and any trace warnings on each pack you plan to serve.
Keep them at the temperature shown on the packaging during your journey and have a suitable way to store them as soon as you arrive. The DGCCRF recommends keeping transport time short and using an insulated bag where possible. If you can’t keep the products cold at your destination, don’t plan to store them for a long time before serving.
Check the product and collection options with the store where you plan to shop. Collection slots and delivery from a service such as E.Leclerc DRIVE depend on the local drive-through service and whether your address is eligible. A retailer’s website alone isn’t enough to arrange an order from another branch.