If you’re taking something in your gym bag and won’t have easy access to a freezer, don’t choose mini ice lollies: they need to be kept frozen, and Anses recommends limiting the time frozen products are in transit. A box of mini ice creams is better suited to sharing for dessert somewhere with a freezer. If you’re taking a gift with you, look at non-frozen boxes of chocolates and check their storage instructions.
If there’s no freezer available when you arrive, the key question is whether the product can cope with the conditions during your journey and the time it spends in your bag. An ice lolly that needs to stay frozen isn’t suitable.
If you’re enjoying a treat at home or somewhere with a freezer, a box of mini ice cream bars lets you compare the number of pieces and, depending on the product, the flavours available.
If your gift needs to travel without a freezer, distinguish non-frozen chocolates from frozen desserts, then check the ingredients, allergens and storage instructions for the box you choose.
First decide whether the product will be kept in a gym bag, given as a gift or served as a frozen dessert. Being able to store it at the right temperature matters even more than the size of the box.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Transport and temperature | Time spent in your bag, storage instructions and whether there’s a freezer at your destination. | If I’m taking a snack to a workout, I look for something suitable for the whole journey that doesn’t rely on a freezer; around 42% of consumers would prioritise this need when travelling with a product. |
| Sharing a frozen dessert | Number of pieces and flavours included, which are worth comparing only if you can store the product in a freezer. | If several people are choosing a dessert to enjoy together, I want to know the portion sizes and flavours before buying; this would be the main priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| A gift to take with you | Whether the product is non-frozen, its net quantity, allergens and storage instructions. | If I’m giving a box as a gift after travelling, I mainly want to know what’s inside and how to keep it until I hand it over; around 25% of consumers would prioritise this. |
The word ‘box’ describes the packaging, not how the product needs to be stored. The Magnum mini bars listed by Auchan are frozen products that must be kept at −18 °C. They’re not a substitute for a gift you can take with you without a freezer.
Check the product name and storage instructions before choosing a box to give as a gift.
Anses recommends using an insulated bag to transport products that need to be kept cold, while also keeping the journey time to a minimum. This doesn’t remove the need to follow the storage temperature given for ice cream.
Plan a short journey and make sure you’ll have access to a freezer when you arrive. Otherwise, choose a snack whose storage instructions suit your journey.
Recipes can vary from one flavour to another. The French Ministry of the Economy points out that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted on the labels of prepacked foods.
Before giving or sharing the product, ask whether anyone needs to avoid certain ingredients and check the packaging of the exact product you’re buying.
These brands and retailers can help you distinguish frozen desserts from chocolates you can take with you. Check the specific product and the information shown when you buy.
A brand of chocolate-coated frozen desserts, including mini bars sold individually or in assortments.
A retailer that lists, among other products, a box of six Magnum Mini Chocolat bars in its frozen food section.
A retailer that lists Magnum mini bars, including an assortment of six.
A retailer with a range of ice creams and frozen desserts, including its own-brand products.
A retailer that sells ice cream, including products under its Bon Gelati brand.
A retailer that sells own-brand ice cream as well as occasional frozen dessert offers.
If you’re buying a gift, consider the confectionery boxes below in light of their contents and how you’ll transport them. Magnum products are frozen desserts to share when you have access to a freezer, not something to leave in a gym bag.
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A box of chocolates and toffees to consider as a gift rather than a frozen dessert. Check the packaging for allergens and storage instructions suitable for your planned journey.
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An assortment of mini bars to share for dessert when you have access to a freezer. The listed flavours are Classic, Almond and White Chocolate; the stated storage temperature is −18 °C or below. Check the allergens on the box before serving.
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A small box of confectionery to consider as a gift to take with you. Before giving or sharing it, check the packaging for ingredients, allergens and storage instructions that suit your journey.
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Ice cream bites to consider for a shared dessert when you have access to a freezer. They’re not a snack to leave in a gym bag without keeping them cold; check the packaging for the exact storage instructions and allergen information.
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A pack of mini bars to enjoy when you can keep them in a freezer. Check the storage instructions and allergens for this product before buying it for a group.
No, not as a snack to keep with you during a workout unless you can keep them cold. Anses recommends limiting the time frozen products are in transit and using an insulated bag. The Magnum Mini assortment listed by Auchan must be stored at −18 °C.
Only if the recipient can store and enjoy a frozen dessert in line with the instructions. If your gift will be travelling without a freezer, look for a non-frozen box of chocolates instead and check its storage instructions.
Check the ingredients and allergens for the exact product before sharing it. Flavours and recipes can vary within an assortment, so first ask whether anyone needs to avoid particular ingredients.
For prepacked food, check the product name, ingredients, highlighted allergens, net quantity, date and storage instructions. The French Ministry of the Economy sets out the labelling rules that apply in France. For ice cream, the storage temperature is particularly important when planning your journey.