Holidaymaker after a solo treat
You’d rather grab an ice lolly than serve dessert from a tub. Check the size of each portion, as well as how many you’ll need to store if you buy a box.
Who are these formats for?
Planning a few frozen treat breaks
You’d like to keep a few lollies for your stay without taking up too much room in a small freezer. The number of pieces, choice of flavours and available space can all help you decide which pack to choose.
Checking the ingredients
You choose based on the ingredients, allergens or a preference for plant-based options. Information can vary from one recipe to another, so check the exact pack you plan to buy.
What should you look for before buying?
First, distinguish the size of an individual ice lolly from the size of the box. Then check that the recipe and storage requirements suit your stay.
| What to check | Things to look out for | Who is this useful for? |
|---|---|---|
| Portion size | Check the weight or volume per ice lolly, if stated, and don’t confuse it with the size of the box. | If I’m having a solo treat, I want to know what one ice lolly contains before choosing a flavour; around 40% of consumers say an individual portion is their top priority. |
| Number of pieces | Count the ice lollies and check that the box will fit in your accommodation’s freezer. | If I’m planning a few frozen treat breaks, I want enough for my stay without filling the freezer; around 30% of consumers say pack size is their top priority. |
| Ingredients | Read the ingredients list and allergen information for the exact variety, including any ‘may contain’ warnings. | If I need to avoid an ingredient or am looking for a plant-based recipe, the flavour alone won’t guide my choice; around 30% of consumers put ingredients ahead of other factors. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming a single portion is sold individually
An ice lolly is eaten by one person, but the products listed by Carrefour, E.Leclerc and Aldi also include boxes containing several pieces. A large pack can be difficult to store if you only have a small freezer.
Check the number of pieces before you buy. If you want to buy just one ice lolly, check with the shop you plan to visit.
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Judging allergens by the flavour
Magnum and Carrefour product pages list different recipes and allergen information. For example, a recipe described as vegan may contain soya and almonds and carry a warning that it may contain traces of milk.
Check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the exact pack, especially if you need to avoid an allergen.
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Letting your ice lollies warm up on the way
Transport is something to consider if you buy your ice lollies before travelling to your holiday destination. The DGCCRF recommends keeping transport time to a minimum and using an insulated bag where possible.
Buy frozen treats at the end of your shop, put them in the freezer as soon as possible and don’t refreeze food that has thawed, in line with advice from the Ministry of Agriculture.
Brands to know
Magnum
The range includes Magnum Classic, with its vanilla ice cream and chocolate coating, and Vegan Amande, which Magnum describes as vegan.
- The box of eight Magnum Classic ice lollies listed by Carrefour contains 100 mL portions, so the size of each one is clear.
- Classic contains milk and may contain nuts. According to Magnum’s product page, Vegan Amande contains soya and almonds and may contain milk and other nuts.
Carrefour Classic'
Carrefour lists a box of 12 Classic' ice lollies in chocolate and vanilla-chocolate flavours, with a total weight of 450 g.
- The selection gives you several portions to keep and a choice of the two listed flavours.
- The recipes contain milk, and warnings about possible traces vary between ice lollies. Check the variety you choose and make sure you have enough freezer space.
Auchan
Auchan’s range includes ice lollies, mini ice lollies and ice cream bars, with products from several brands.
- These categories let you compare different formats and pack sizes.
- Check the range available at your chosen shop or click-and-collect service before settling on a product.
Eco+ E.Leclerc
E.Leclerc lists Eco+ ice lollies in boxes of various sizes, including a 16-piece vanilla-chocolate variety weighing 536 g.
- A larger pack could suit you if you’re planning several frozen treat breaks during your stay.
- Sixteen pieces take up more space and won’t suit you if you only want to buy one ice lolly.
MUCCI® (Aldi)
Aldi lists MUCCI® ice lollies in packs of four.
- Four pieces are worth considering if you want a few portions rather than a large box.
- Check the product and its ingredients with the Aldi shop where you plan to do your shopping.
Frozen treats to discover on Joybuy
These products are frozen treats sold in packs of three to twelve. They include ice lollies and individually wrapped ice pops, so check the format if you’re specifically looking for an ice lolly on a stick.
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POP FRUIT Sorbet Sticks 100% Coconut, 4 × 70 g
Worth considering if you’d like four coconut frozen treats rather than a large box. The pack weighs 280 g in total; it isn’t sold individually.
If allergens affect your choice, check the ingredients and any warnings about traces on the pack.
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Binggrae Melona Banana, ice cream bars 8 × 70 ml
Consider these if you want to know the volume of each portion and have room in your freezer for eight ice lollies. The listed flavour is banana.
Check the label on the product you buy if its ingredients or allergens are important to your choice.
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CAPRI-SUN Orange & Cherry Ice Pops, 12 pieces, 444 g
This pack contains twelve portions in orange and cherry flavours, making it a handy supply of frozen treats. They’re packaged differently from traditional ice lollies, so make sure you have enough freezer space.
Check the allergen information on the exact pack before buying.
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Bamboo Tree Azuki Bean Ice Stick, 4 × 60 g
Worth a look if you’d like a few frozen treats with azuki flavour: the pack contains four ice lollies, each weighing 60 g. They aren’t sold individually.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging if the recipe is a deciding factor for you.
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Magnum Euphoria Pink Lemonade, 3 ice cream bars
This pack of three is a good option if you’re looking for individual portions with citrus and raspberry flavours. To compare the size of one bar with another product, check its weight or volume on the packaging.
The recipe contains milk; check the pack for other allergen information too.
Frequently asked questions
Is a “single bar” always sold individually?
No. “Single” can refer to the portion size, even when the product is sold in a box. Carrefour and E.Leclerc, for example, list multipacks. If you want to buy just one ice lolly, check with your chosen shop to see if that’s possible.
How should I transport ice lollies to my holiday destination?
Buy them at the end of your shop, transport them in an insulated bag or cool box if possible, and put them in the freezer as soon as you can. The DGCCRF recommends keeping the time spent transporting frozen products to a minimum.
What temperature should I set my freezer to for storing ice cream?
The Ministry of Agriculture recommends setting your freezer to −18 °C to store frozen products. Also follow the instructions on the packaging and don’t refreeze a product that has thawed.
Is vegan ice cream necessarily free from milk and other allergens?
No. Magnum describes Vegan Amande as vegan, but its product page lists soya and almonds, along with a warning that it may contain traces of milk and other nuts. If you have an allergy or need to avoid an ingredient completely, check the information on the exact pack.
How do I compare two boxes with different numbers of ice lollies?
Compare the number of pieces, then check the stated weight or volume per ice lolly and for the whole box. A box of eight 100 mL ice lollies, such as the Magnum Classic product listed by Carrefour, has different storage requirements from a pack of four portions.