When serving a group, start with the number of people and choose a box with a clearly stated number of lollies. Packs of 12 make it easy to count portions, while an assortment of six mini lollies is a good fit for a smaller group that would like a choice of flavours. Check the allergens for each product and make sure the ice lollies stay frozen until you’re ready to serve them.
If you’re serving a group, the number of pieces shown on the box helps you plan for one portion per person, with a few spare for unexpected guests. Auchan and ALDI each offer a product with 12 lollies or mini lollies.
For a small group, an assortment means you don’t have to open several different boxes. Magnum offers a box of six mini lollies featuring Classic, Almond and White Chocolate varieties.
Before serving, check the labelling on each box and plan how you’ll keep it frozen. The DGCCRF says that allergens in pre-packed food must be clearly highlighted, while the Ministry of Agriculture stresses the importance of maintaining the cold chain.
First decide how many portions you need and whether mini portions will suit your guests. Then check the flavours, labelling and transport requirements before choosing a box.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Number of portions | Count your guests and compare the number of pieces in each box; check whether they’re mini lollies or larger portions. | I want to give every guest a lolly without finding that I haven’t bought enough boxes. Around 36% of consumers would prioritise the number of portions. |
| Choice of flavours | Check how many varieties are in the box and how many pieces it contains in total. | For a small group with different tastes, I’d prefer to offer several varieties in one box. Variety would come first for around 29% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information for the specific product, along with the nutritional information if you’d like to compare varieties. | If I’m serving someone with an allergy, I need to be able to check the box before offering them an ice lolly. Around 21% of consumers would put this check first. |
| Keeping the lollies frozen | Check the storage temperature on the packaging and plan suitable transport until you’re ready to serve. | If the ice lollies need to wait before being handed out, I need to be able to keep them frozen. This would be the top priority for around 14% of consumers. |
A box of six Magnum mini lollies won’t serve as many people as the 12-piece products offered by Auchan and ALDI. The size of each portion matters too, particularly if your guests are expecting more than a mini ice lolly.
Start with the number of people you’re serving, then check the number and size of the portions shown on each box.
If the box doesn’t cover all your guests, you’ll need to buy another one.
Recipes and allergen information vary. The vanilla ice lollies offered by Auchan, for example, contain milk, hazelnuts and soya, and may contain traces of other nuts.
Check the packaging for each product before serving someone with an allergy; don’t rely on the range name alone.
If you’re serving them outdoors, make sure transport and storage allow you to follow the instructions on the box. The Ministry of Agriculture recommends maintaining the cold chain.
Buy frozen products last, use a suitable insulated container and take out only the portions you’re about to serve. The product information for Auchan ice lollies says not to refreeze a product once it has thawed.
Magnum offers chocolate-coated mini lollies in a six-piece assortment featuring Classic, Almond and White Chocolate varieties.
Auchan offers a box of 12 vanilla ice lollies with a net weight of 450 g.
ALDI offers a 429 g box of 12 mini lollies under the MUCCI® brand, with several chocolate varieties.
These boxes contain individually portioned ice lollies, with between four and 12 pieces depending on the product. Choose the number of pieces and flavours to suit your guests, then check the labelling on the box you plan to serve.
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Worth considering if you want to count out 12 individual portions and offer orange and cherry flavours.
Check the allergen information on the specific packaging before serving guests with allergies.
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The 12 pieces could suit a group, while the five flavours give your guests a choice.
If anyone has an allergy, check the information on the specific packaging before buying and serving; don’t assume the product is allergen-free.
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The mini size and three varieties make this a good choice for a small group who’d like to pick a flavour; the box contains six pieces.
Joybuy’s product information lists milk and the possibility of nuts. Check the labelling on the specific box before serving.
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Eight melon lollies make it easy to plan individual portions, if this flavour suits your group.
Check the ingredients, allergens and any warnings on the packaging before serving, particularly to children.
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This sorbet on a stick could suit a small number of guests looking for a mango variety; the box contains four pieces.
Check the ingredients, any possible traces of allergens and the age guidance on the packaging before serving.
Allow at least one lolly for every person you plan to serve, then adjust the number of boxes to suit your group. Check the number of pieces stated for each product: Auchan and ALDI offer boxes of 12, while the Magnum Mini assortment contains six.
Read the allergen information and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the packaging of the specific product before offering it. The DGCCRF says allergens must be clearly highlighted on pre-packed food; the vanilla ice lollies offered by Auchan contain milk and hazelnuts, among other ingredients.
Don’t refreeze a product once it has thawed. This instruction is included in the product information for Auchan ice lollies, for example. If you’re serving them away from home, transport the boxes in a suitable container and follow the storage instructions.
Check the labelling on the box you’re buying for the ingredients, allergen information and nutritional details. The DGCCRF says allergens in pre-packed food must be clearly highlighted and that labelling information must be visible and easy to read.