Who is this choice for?

Families planning several after-school treats

You’re looking for a pack with enough lollies and a suitable total weight to cover several portions. Carrefour and Auchan, for example, stock packs of twelve lollies, with different recipes and weights.

Parents who prefer smaller portions

You’d like to serve a smaller lolly as an occasional treat. The Carrefour Extra mini assortment contains eight lollies weighing 32 g each, although mini formats vary in size from one product to another.

Shoppers who pay close attention to ingredients

You’ll need to check the exact recipe before choosing, especially the allergens and any relevant ‘may contain’ warnings for your household. The Carrefour Extra mini assortment lists milk, soya and almonds, and may contain traces of eggs and other nuts.

What should you look for?

First decide how many treats the pack needs to cover and what size lolly you’d like to serve. Then compare the ingredients and nutritional values of the recipes you’re considering. Neither the number of lollies nor the word ‘mini’ tells you everything.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Number of treats Compare the number of lollies and the net weight. The same number of items doesn’t necessarily mean the same portion size. If I’m planning several treats during the week, I want to know how many of the lollies in the pack will actually be used; around 36% of shoppers would put the number of treats covered first.
Portion size Check the weight per lolly when it’s listed, and choose between a standard and mini format to suit the portion you want. If everyone prefers a smaller portion, I’m looking for a suitably sized lolly rather than having to serve a larger one; individual size would be the top priority for around 29% of shoppers.
Ingredients and allergens Read the ingredients list for the exact product, the highlighted allergens and any relevant ‘may contain’ warnings. If an ingredient is a problem at home, I need to be able to tell the recipes apart before choosing; around 21% of shoppers would make allergens their top priority.
Nutritional values Compare the sugars and fat per 100 g or 100 ml, then check the values per portion if they’re shown on the packaging. I want to compare two recipes without confusing their nutritional content with the size of the lollies; nutritional values would come first for around 14% of shoppers.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Relying on the number on the box

    A pack of twelve lollies and an assortment of mini lollies won’t necessarily contain the same amount of ice cream per portion.

    Check the number of items and the net weight together, as well as the weight of each lolly if it’s listed.

  • Assuming a mini format is suitable for every allergy

    A smaller size doesn’t tell you what’s in the recipe. The Carrefour Extra mini assortment lists milk, soya and almonds, and may contain traces of eggs and other nuts.

    Check the ingredients and trace warnings on every product and flavour, even if you already know the brand.

  • Judging the ingredients by the size of the lolly

    A mini format alone doesn’t tell you how much sugar or fat a recipe contains. According to the DGCCRF, values per 100 g or 100 ml make it easier to compare prepacked foods.

    Compare values on the same basis, then check the amount for the portion you’re serving if it’s listed.

  • Leaving ice lollies out after shopping

    Getting frozen food home and putting it away promptly are both important for maintaining the cold chain. Anses recommends buying frozen food at the end of your shop and minimising the time between the shop and home.

    Pick up the ice lollies last, use an insulated bag to carry them and put them in the freezer as soon as you get home.

Brands to know when comparing formats

These ranges give you examples of lollies and recipes to consider. Always check the details of the specific product you’re thinking of buying.

Carrefour Classic’, Sensation et Extra

Carrefour offers multipacks of standard lollies, other coated recipes and an assortment of mini lollies.

  • The Classic’ pack of twelve lollies and the Extra assortment of eight mini lollies let you compare different portion sizes.
  • Ingredients vary by product. The Extra mini assortment, for example, lists milk, soya and almonds.

Marque Repère / Trium

E.Leclerc offers Trium ice cream bars among its own-brand products.

  • The caramel and peanut recipes give you different products to consider depending on the flavours you’re looking for.
  • An ice cream bar and a standard lolly aren’t necessarily the same format. Check the shape, quantity and ingredients of the product you choose.

Auchan

Auchan’s range includes fruit and vanilla lollies, as well as other coated recipes.

  • The products listed include packs of eight fruit lollies and twelve vanilla lollies.
  • These two packs have different recipes and may not offer the same individual portion size, so check each pack.

MUCCI® (ALDI)

MUCCI® offers mini lollies and double-coated lollies among the frozen desserts featured by ALDI France.

  • Packs of twelve mini lollies and four double-coated lollies suit different occasions.
  • The number of items alone isn’t enough to compare their size. Check the net weight and recipe.

Magnum

Magnum offers coated lollies and mini formats, making it worth considering if you have a particular flavour or coating in mind.

  • Magnum France product pages provide nutritional information for specific products, including Classic x4 and Mini Double Chocolat.
  • According to Magnum France, Classic x4 contains 20 g of sugars and 10 g of saturated fatty acids per portion. These figures don’t apply to the brand’s other recipes.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How do I compare two boxes of different sizes?

Check the number of lollies and the net weight of each box, then look at the weight per portion if it’s listed. Two packs with the same number of items may contain lollies of different sizes.

What should I read on the label if I have an allergy?

Read the full ingredients list, the highlighted allergens and any trace warnings on the exact product. The DGCCRF states that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted on the labels of prepacked foods.

How do I compare the sugar content of two ice lollies?

Compare the ‘sugars’ figure per 100 g or 100 ml on the same basis, then check the values per portion if they’re listed. The DGCCRF explains that figures per 100 g or 100 ml make it easier to compare products. You’ll still need to consider the size of the lolly separately.

How should I bring ice lollies home after shopping?

Buy them at the end of your shop, keep transport time to a minimum and put them in the freezer as soon as you get home. Anses recommends using an insulated bag to carry frozen foods and maintain the cold chain.