Organising a short break
You want to hand out individual portions without cutting or plating. A pack of mini ice lollies, such as the Mini Classic described by Magnum France, makes it easy to count portions before serving.
Who are these formats for?
A small group with a taste for a particular recipe
You’re looking for a flavour to enjoy with coffee, such as NUII’s pistachio and cream or Côte d’Or’s combination of vanilla, caramel, chocolate and almonds. First, check that the recipe is suitable for your guests.
Planning portions for a larger group
You’re comparing the number of lollies in each pack and the pack sizes to work out how many boxes you’ll need. Carrefour Sensation, Trium and MUCCI all offer formats and recipes worth comparing product by product.
What should you look for?
Start with the number of people and how you’ll serve the ice lollies. Then choose a recipe, taking dietary requirements and the journey to the freezer into account.
| Criterion | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quick serving | Number of lollies and whether they’re mini or standard size; Magnum France lists Mini Classic as 6 × 55 ml. | I want to hand out ice lollies during a short break, without preparing them on site. Around 31% of consumers would prioritise this convenience. |
| Choice of recipe | Flavour, coating and ingredients of the exact product, particularly for pistachio or caramel recipes. | For a small group, I’d rather choose a specific combination of flavours than focus on a particular format. Around 31% of consumers would put their choice of recipe first. |
| Number of portions | Pieces per box and how many boxes you’ll need: the products mentioned come in packs of four, five or six ice lollies. | I need to serve everyone and avoid running short. Around 23% of consumers would prioritise getting the quantity right over other criteria. |
| Ingredients and storage | Allergens and ‘may contain’ statements on the label; storage instructions and whether you can transport the lollies in an insulated bag. | If guests have dietary requirements or serving is delayed, I need to be able to choose a suitable product and keep it frozen. Around 15% of consumers would make this their priority. |
Mistakes to avoid
-
Choosing a recipe without checking the allergens
Carrefour’s product information for NUII pistachio and cream lists milk, pistachio, wheat and soya, among other ingredients. The Côte d’Or recipe featured by Auchan contains milk, almonds and soya, among other ingredients. So one product may not be suitable for everyone in your group.
Ask about dietary requirements before buying and check the label on the box you choose, including any ‘may contain’ statements. Have another option ready if needed.
-
Counting boxes instead of portions
A box of four ice lollies and a box of six mini lollies won’t serve the same number of people. The format also affects the portion size.
Count your guests and check how many lollies are in each product before deciding how many boxes to buy.
-
Leaving the ice lollies out before the meeting
Transport and waiting around on site can interrupt the cold chain. Anses recommends buying frozen foods at the end of your shopping trip and using an insulated bag for the journey.
Make sure you can access a freezer as soon as you arrive, and only take the boxes out when it’s time to serve. Follow the storage instructions on the packaging; Auchan lists a storage temperature of −18 °C for the Côte d’Or product mentioned.
-
Relying on one product without checking it’s in stock
The range offered by a retailer can vary by store and season. So a recipe you spotted in advance may not be available when you go shopping.
Check availability with your chosen store and keep another recipe in mind for the meeting.
Brands to compare
Magnum
Worth considering if you’re looking for individual mini vanilla and chocolate ice lollies.
- Magnum France describes Mini Classic as a pack of 6 × 55 ml, combining vanilla ice cream with a milk chocolate coating.
- Check the allergens and any ‘may contain’ statements on the box you choose before serving it to the whole group.
NUII
An option for a small group looking for a pistachio and cream recipe.
- Carrefour lists this product in a box of four ice lollies.
- The product information lists milk, pistachio, wheat and soya, among other ingredients; check the packaging for any ‘may contain’ statements too.
Côte d’Or
Worth a look if your group would enjoy a combination of vanilla, caramel, chocolate and almonds.
- Auchan describes a pack of four ice lollies, weighing 276 g in total.
- The recipe contains milk, almonds and soya, among other ingredients; Auchan lists a storage temperature of −18 °C.
Carrefour Sensation
A supermarket own-brand range to explore if you want to compare different ice lolly recipes.
- Carrefour lists, among others, double chocolate ice lollies and a pistachio and chocolate recipe.
- Check the pack size and ingredients of the exact product you choose.
Trium
E.Leclerc’s Marque Repère range includes a coffee flavour that fits the theme of your break.
- E.Leclerc lists Trium coffee in a pack of four, weighing 292 g in total.
- Check the label of the product you choose for its ingredients and allergens.
MUCCI
Worth a look if you want to compare mini formats with pistachio or double-coated recipes.
- ALDI France lists, among others, packs of 12 MUCCI mini ice lollies and packs of four pistachio ice lollies.
- Check which product will be available in your store on the date of the meeting.
Ice lollies available on Joybuy
These products let you compare packs of mini ice lollies for quick serving with pistachio recipes for a smaller group. The number of lollies and the information on each box are key to planning your break.
Image unavailable
POPELINO Sicilian Pistache Ice Sticks, white chocolate, x4, 312 g
A pack of four to consider if you’re looking for a pistachio recipe for a small group.
Check the ingredients list and allergens on the box before serving these to your guests.
Image unavailable
Magnum Double Billionaire's Ice Bar Mini, x6, 282 g
Six individual mini ice lollies for a break when you need to serve quickly.
Check the allergens and storage instructions on the packaging before serving.
Image unavailable
Kulfi ice Pistachio Kulfi Ice Cream, 5 × 70 ml
Five pistachio portions to consider for a small group that enjoys this flavour.
Check the ingredients and storage instructions for this product before planning to serve it.
Image unavailable
Magnum Mini Deluxe Caramel Ice Bar, x6, 330 g
Six mini caramel ice lollies for serving individual portions during your break.
Read the allergen and storage information on the box before serving.
Image unavailable
Magnum Mini Classic, Almond & White Chocolate, x6, 254 g
An assortment of six mini ice lollies to consider if your guests would like a choice of different varieties.
Check the ingredients for each variety, particularly if you need to take dietary requirements into account.
Frequently asked questions
Which format of ice lollies should I choose for a coffee break during a meeting?
Choose the format to suit the number of guests and how much time you have to serve. The six mini portions in Magnum Mini Classic, as described by Magnum France, are ideal for quick serving. Boxes of four NUII or Côte d’Or lollies let you choose a particular recipe for a small group, or buy several boxes for a larger one.
How can I cater for guests with allergies?
Ask about dietary requirements before choosing a product, then read the label on the exact box you plan to buy, including any ‘may contain’ statements. The DGCCRF reminds consumers that allergenic ingredients in prepacked foods must be highlighted in the ingredients list. The NUII and Côte d’Or recipes mentioned contain several declared allergens.
How should I transport ice lollies to the meeting?
Buy frozen foods at the end of your shopping trip and transport them in an insulated bag, as Anses recommends. Put the boxes in the freezer as soon as possible and follow the storage temperature on the packaging.