Organisers serving a group
If everyone needs an ice lolly, the number of lollies shown on the pack helps you work out how many you’ll need. The packs of ten or twelve offered by Carrefour, E.Leclerc and ALDI are examples of sizes you can compare.
Who are these options for?
Organisers planning a short break
Individual portions are easy to count and hand out. Depending on the kind of break you’re planning, a pack of mini ice lollies or standard-sized ones may suit different needs.
Organisers mindful of ingredients and keeping things cold
If you don’t know about everyone’s allergies, check the label on the pack you’ve chosen before serving. You’ll also need access to a freezer to keep frozen products stored until the break.
What should you look for?
Work out how many portions you need before choosing between mini ice lollies and standard sizes. Then check the label and storage instructions on the pack you’ve chosen.
| Criteria | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Number of portions | Count the participants and the number of ice lollies in each pack. If you want to serve one per person, work out how many packs you’ll need. | When I’m serving the whole group at once, I want to be able to hand one out to each person easily; around 40% of consumers put getting the right quantity first. |
| Size and serving | Look for the word “mini” or a standard size, then check how many pieces are in each selection. | For a short break, I prefer to decide on portion sizes before choosing flavours; around 30% of consumers prioritise serving size. |
| Ingredients and storage | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack. Make sure you can keep it in the freezer until it’s time to serve. | If I don’t know about everyone’s allergies or serving is delayed, I need to be able to check the label and keep the products cold; these considerations come first for around 30% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing packs without counting the ice lollies
A pack of mini ice lollies and one of standard-sized ones may not suit the same kind of serving. Carrefour Classic’ offers a pack of twelve, for example, while E.Leclerc lists a SMICY product with ten sorbet lollies.
Decide how many portions you need, then check the number of pieces in each pack you’re considering.
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Assuming a selection is suitable for every allergy
Ingredients vary from one product to another. The label for a Carrefour Extra mini selection lists milk, soya and almonds; that ingredient list doesn’t apply to all ice lollies.
Ask whether anyone has allergies you need to consider, and check the label on the actual pack you’ll be serving.
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Buying without making freezer arrangements
Ice lollies need to be kept frozen before serving. The Ministry of Agriculture advises that a defrosted product should not be refrozen.
Check that you’ll have access to a freezer on site and take the lollies out when you’re ready to hand them out.
If the ice lollies melt before the break, you may not be able to serve them as planned.
Brands and retailers to know
Magnum
The range includes chocolate-coated mini ice lollies, worth considering if you’re looking for a smaller format.
- The Magnum Mini Double Chocolat product lists a portion size of 60 ml, or 50 g.
- This product contains milk, so check the ingredients and allergen information for your chosen flavour.
Carrefour Classic’
Carrefour offers a pack of twelve chocolate and vanilla ice lollies, a handy option to consider if you’re planning one portion per person.
- The pack of twelve makes it easier to plan how many people you can serve.
- Check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you choose; don’t assume they’re the same as in another Carrefour selection.
TRIUM et SMICY chez E.Leclerc
E.Leclerc offers TRIUM ice lollies, as well as a SMICY orange and lemon sorbet in a pack of ten.
- The SMICY product clearly states how many pieces are in the pack, making it easier to plan distribution.
- Check the size and ingredients of each product: sorbet and other ice lollies may not have the same recipe.
Auchan
Auchan’s ice lolly range includes mini ice lollies, standard ice lollies and frozen bars.
- These categories give you a starting point for finding a pack size that suits the way you plan to serve them.
- Check the number of pieces and the type of product you choose: a frozen bar isn’t automatically a substitute for an individual ice lolly.
MUCCI chez ALDI
ALDI offers a MUCCI pack of twelve mini ice lollies, with a stated total weight of 429 g.
- The number of pieces and the “mini” label help you judge the serving size.
- Check which product is available at your chosen store and read the pack label.
Lidl
Lidl has an ice cream category in its frozen food range.
- This category is a useful starting point when looking for a format of ice lollies that suits your meeting.
- Before working out portions, check which product is available at the store in question and how many pieces are in the pack.
Ice lollies available on Joybuy
This selection includes packs of ice lollies, mini ice lollies and sorbet lollies. Choose the number of pieces to suit your group, then check the ingredients and storage instructions for the product you’ve selected.
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CAPRI-SUN Orange & Cherry Ice Pops, 12 pieces, 444 g
A pack of twelve to consider if you’re planning to hand one out to each person in the group.
Check the exact packaging for any allergen warnings. Keep the products frozen until serving and don’t refreeze them after they’ve defrosted.
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Maison de la Glace Water Ice Pops, 5 flavours, 12 pieces, 1,200 g
The pack of twelve makes it easy to plan one per person, while the five flavours give everyone a choice when it’s time to serve.
Check the pack label for ingredients and allergen information before offering them to the group. Keep the products in the freezer and don’t refreeze them after they’ve defrosted.
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Magnum Mini Classic, Almond & White Chocolate, 6 pieces, 254 g
This pack of six mini ice lollies is suited to serving smaller portions, as long as you have enough for the whole group.
The selection includes Classic, Almond and White Chocolate. Check the allergen information on your chosen pack; keep it in the freezer and don’t refreeze it after it’s defrosted.
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POP FRUIT Sorbet Sticks 100% Mango, 4 pieces, 280 g
This mango sorbet comes in a pack of four, so adjust the number of packs to suit the size of your group.
Check the allergen information on the packaging. Keep the ice lollies frozen until serving and don’t refreeze them after they’ve defrosted.
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POP FRUIT Sorbet Sticks 100% Coconut, 4 pieces, 280 g
This coconut sorbet comes in a pack of four; check that you have enough for everyone in the group.
Read the label for ingredients and any allergen warnings. Keep the ice lollies in the freezer until serving, and don’t refreeze them after they’ve defrosted.
Frequently asked questions
How many ice lollies should I plan for a meeting?
If you’re planning one ice lolly per person, count how many people are expected and add up the pieces listed on the packs. Also check whether you’ve chosen mini ice lollies or a standard size, as portion size affects how you’ll serve them.
How should I store ice lollies before the break?
Keep the frozen products in the freezer until you’re ready to serve them. The Ministry of Agriculture says that storing them at −18 °C keeps them until the stated best-before date, provided they’re stored as directed; it advises against refreezing a defrosted product.
What should I check if someone mentions an allergy?
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack before serving. Some of the products mentioned contain milk, and a Carrefour Extra mini selection also lists soya and almonds. Don’t assume that the ingredients in one product are the same as those in another.