Organisers serving a large number of guests
If you know how many people to expect, boxes of 8, 12 or 20 help you work out the number of portions and serve dessert without having to cut anything up.
Who are these pack sizes for?
Organisers who want to offer a choice of flavours
Assorted boxes and fruit or chocolate flavours let you offer a few different options. Check how many of each flavour the box actually contains.
Organisers mindful of allergens and storage
Keep the packaging handy so you can check the ingredients for each product, and make sure you have suitable equipment to keep the ice lollies frozen at the fete.
What should you check before buying?
First, make sure you can keep the ice lollies frozen at the venue. Then work out how many portions you’ll need before choosing flavours and checking the labels. The ministry responsible for agriculture gives −18 °C as the reference temperature for frozen storage.
| Criterion | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Storage and serving | The capacity of the freezing equipment at the venue, and whether you can keep the products frozen during transport and while they’re waiting to be served. | I need to be able to keep all the boxes frozen until they’re handed out, even if serving takes a while. Storage is the top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Number of portions | How many ice lollies are in each box and the size of each portion; work out how many boxes you’ll need based on the number of guests expected. | When I’m serving a group and know how many people to expect, I want to plan one portion per person without confusing the box size with the number of ice lollies. Around 33% of consumers put this count first. |
| Flavours and allergens | How the flavours are divided in an assorted box, and the ingredients or traces listed for each product. | I want to offer a choice of flavours while being able to answer questions about ingredients before serving each ice lolly. Variety and checking labels are the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
Serving mistakes to avoid
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Choosing a box without counting the ice lollies
The pack sizes listed by Carrefour, Auchan and E.Leclerc range from 4 to 20 pieces, so one box won’t always serve the same number of guests.
Check the number of pieces and portion size for each product, then work out how many boxes you’ll need for the number of guests expected.
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Assuming an assorted box or fruit flavour is suitable for everyone with allergies
Ingredients and possible traces vary from product to product. The DGCCRF points out that a product such as a sorbet may contain milk, in which case this must be stated.
Read the label on every box you buy, and keep ingredient and allergen information to hand while serving.
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Buying more boxes than your equipment can keep frozen
The number of portions you buy also depends on how much space you have to keep the products frozen. The ministry responsible for agriculture gives −18 °C as the reference temperature for frozen storage.
Check your storage capacity and transport arrangements before deciding how many boxes to buy.
Brands and ranges to consider
Magnum
Magnum’s range includes six-packs of Mini Almond ice creams, at 55 mL each. Assorted boxes and other pack sizes are also listed by retailers.
- The mini size makes it easier to plan smaller portions.
- Mini Almond contains milk and almonds. Check the ingredients and any traces listed on the box you choose; don’t assume all products in the range have the same ingredients.
Carrefour Classic’ / Carrefour Extra
Carrefour lists, among other products, a Classic’ box of 12 ice lollies split between vanilla and chocolate. Pack sizes in the Extra range vary by product.
- The number of pieces shown on the Classic’ box makes it easier to work out portions.
- Check the ingredients for both flavours: Carrefour’s product information also lists possible traces of several allergens.
Auchan
Auchan lists, among other products, a box of 12 vanilla ice lollies and an assorted Magnum box of 10 mini ice lollies.
- These products let you compare a box of one flavour with an assortment.
- Check the number of pieces and the ingredients for the product you choose.
TRIUM / SMICY (E.Leclerc)
Among its Marque Repère frozen desserts, E.Leclerc lists, among other products, an assortment of 20 SMICY ice lollies.
- A 20-piece pack can be a useful starting point when working out quantities for a group.
- Check the flavours, ingredients and allergens for each ice lolly on the box.
MUCCI® (ALDI)
ALDI’s frozen dessert range includes, among other products, a box of 12 MUCCI® mini ice lollies.
- The mini size and number of pieces are useful guides when planning portions.
- Check the flavours and the label on the box you choose before planning to serve it.
Bon Gelati (Lidl)
Lidl France lists Bon Gelati among its frozen products.
- The range is another option to explore when putting together your fete’s menu.
- If you’re choosing individual ice lollies, check the size, number of pieces and ingredients of the product available.
Individual ice lollies available on Joybuy
This Joybuy selection includes fruity ice lollies, assorted boxes and packs of a single flavour. The number of pieces varies by product, so choose a box to suit the portions you need to serve and the labels you’ll need to check.
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CAPRI-SUN Orange & Cherry Ice Pops, 12 pieces, 444 g
Worth considering if you’d like to serve orange and cherry flavour to a group. The box contains 12 ice lollies and weighs 444 g; check the label before serving if anyone has allergies to gluten, peanuts, soya, milk or nuts.
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Maison de la Glace Water Ice Pops, 5 flavours, 12 pieces, 1 200 g
A good option if you’d like to offer a choice of flavours in a box of 12 ice lollies. The pack contains five flavours and weighs 1 200 g in total; check the box label before serving anyone with allergies.
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Binggrae Melona Melon Ice Bar, 8 × 70 ml
This box is a good choice if you’re planning eight melon portions. It contains 8 ice lollies of 70 ml each; the product information lists milk and includes a warning about the possible effects of the colour E102 on children’s activity and attention. Check the label before offering it to your guests.
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Magnum Mini Classic, Almond & White Chocolate, 6 pieces, 254 g
A handy option if you’d rather serve mini ice lollies in several flavours than a box of just one. The assortment contains 6 pieces and weighs 254 g; check the ingredients for each flavour, particularly if milk or nuts are a concern.
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Solero Berry Ice Cream Bars, 4 × 90 mL
Choose this if a box of four berry portions suits the number of guests you’re serving. It contains 4 ice lollies of 90 mL each, and the recipe also includes milk. Check the label if allergies or intolerances need to be taken into account.
Frequently asked questions
What temperature should ice lollies be kept at during the fete?
Keep ice lollies frozen during transport, while they’re waiting to be served, and throughout serving. The ministry responsible for agriculture gives −18 °C as the reference temperature for frozen storage, so make sure you have suitable equipment for the quantity you’re bringing.
Is sorbet always suitable for someone with a milk allergy?
No. The word ‘sorbet’ alone doesn’t guarantee that a product is milk-free. The DGCCRF says milk must be listed if it’s present in a product, so check the ingredients and allergen information for the one you’ve chosen.
What information should I keep handy while serving?
Keep the packaging for every product you serve so you can check its ingredients and allergen information. Anses reminds consumers that substances which can cause allergies or intolerances must be highlighted in the ingredients list.