For a break where everyone can help themselves, with no preparation needed, choose a box of ice lollies or mini ice lollies rather than a tub. A tub works if the office has a freezer, bowls and spoons, and someone to serve it. Either way, make sure the ice cream stays frozen and check the ingredients and allergens for the product you choose.
If you can store the ice cream at -18 °C, a tub is an option, provided you also have bowls, spoons and everything you need to serve it. Otherwise, ice lollies save you the hassle of preparing portions.
During a short break, everyone can grab an ice lolly without waiting for someone to serve the ice cream. Carrefour and Auchan listings include boxes of eight ice lollies or mini ice lollies.
Before sharing, check the ingredients for each product, including every item in an assortment. The Carrefour and Auchan listings we looked at mention milk and, depending on the recipe, almonds, soya or possible traces of nuts.
First, check the journey and whether you’ll have access to a freezer: the Ministry of Agriculture gives -18 °C as the recommended temperature for frozen food. Then decide between individual portions and serving from a tub, and check the exact ingredients.
| What to consider | What to check | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Individual portions | The number of ice lollies and the choice of flavours in the box. | I want everyone to be able to grab an ice lolly during a short break, without having to organise a group serving. This would be the top priority for around 40% of consumers. |
| Storing and serving a tub | A freezer at -18 °C, keeping it frozen during the journey, and having bowls and spoons available. | If I choose a tub, I want to serve the portions myself rather than hand out individually wrapped ice lollies. Around 30% of consumers would make this flexibility their priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | The ingredients list and allergen information for the exact product, including each variety in an assortment. | If anyone in the team has an allergy, I need to check the ingredients before offering ice cream. This would be the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
A tub lets you serve individual portions, but you’ll need to do this during the break and have clean utensils ready.
If no one is available to serve, choose individually wrapped ice lollies instead. If you opt for a tub, check in advance that you have access to a freezer, bowls and spoons.
Ingredients can vary from one product to another, even within the same assortment. The listings we looked at mention milk and, in some recipes, almonds or soya.
Ask which allergies you need to take into account, then read the label on the product you actually buy and check the details for each variety.
A biscuit tin won’t keep frozen products cold. The Ministry of Agriculture gives -18 °C as the recommended temperature for frozen food and advises against refreezing food that has thawed.
Plan the journey to keep the ice cream frozen, put it in the freezer as soon as possible, and don’t refreeze anything that has thawed to serve it later.
Individually wrapped ice lollies that you can hand out without serving portions into bowls.
A range of tubs and sorbets under the Marque Repère brand, listed by E.Leclerc, to consider if you plan to serve individual portions.
Auchan’s own-brand range includes an assortment of eight mini ice lollies, suited to handing out individually.
A retailer whose listing for a box of Magnum ice lollies gives details of the product format and ingredients.
No, it’s no substitute for a freezer. If you’re planning to share the ice cream later, arrange transport that keeps it frozen and store it in a freezer. The Ministry of Agriculture gives -18 °C as the recommended temperature for frozen food.
Ice lollies need less preparation when it’s time to share, as the portions are already separate. A tub requires bowls, spoons and someone to serve it, as well as keeping it frozen, which both formats need.
Read the ingredients list and allergen information for the product you buy. Don’t assume that every ice lolly in a box has the same recipe. Anses reminds consumers that substances which can cause allergies or intolerances must be highlighted in the ingredients list.
No: the Ministry of Agriculture advises against refreezing food that has thawed. If you can’t keep the ice cream frozen during transport or the break, don’t rely on putting it back in the freezer to keep it for sharing later.