Parents serving several children
If everyone needs their own ice lolly, count the individual portions before choosing the flavours. The weight per item can then help you tell a mini ice lolly from a larger portion.
Who is this guide for?
Families who need to consider allergies
The ingredients matter more than the product name or picture. The recipes shown by Carrefour EXTRA and Magnum are a good reminder to check for milk, soya and nuts on the specific product you choose.
People preparing dessert away from home
If the ice lollies need to wait until the activity is over, plan how you’ll transport and store them in the freezer. Anses recommends using an insulated bag and keeping transport time to a minimum for frozen foods.
What should you look for?
For a dessert to share after baking, first work out how many people you’ll be serving. Then make sure the pack size and storage requirements fit your plans.
| Criterion | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Number and size of portions | Count the ice lollies and compare their individual weight or volume, rather than relying on the pack’s total weight alone. | If every child needs a whole ice lolly, I want to make sure there are enough portions without choosing an unnecessarily large pack; around 40% of consumers would prioritise this criterion. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the exact pack. If there’s a known allergy, check the requirements with the child’s parent or carer. | If a child with an allergy is coming over, I need to choose based on the actual recipe, not just the flavour; around 30% of consumers would put dietary suitability first. |
| Transport and storage | Use an insulated bag, keep the journey short and check there’s enough room in the freezer. | If dessert has to wait until the activity is over, I need to keep the ice lollies frozen until they’re served; around 30% of consumers would prioritise these arrangements over other criteria. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming a large pack will always contain child-sized portions
The number of items alone doesn’t tell you how big they are. For example, Carrefour lists an assortment of eight mini ice lollies, each weighing 32 g.
Count the people you’ll be serving, then compare the number of items and the individual weight of the products you’re considering.
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Assuming you know the allergens from the word “ice lolly” alone
Recipes vary. The Carrefour EXTRA assortment shown contains milk, soya and almonds, and may contain traces of other allergens. Don’t assume another recipe is the same.
Check the label on the pack you buy, and ask the child’s parent or carer about any known dietary requirements before serving.
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Buying frozen food too early while doing your shopping
If there’s an activity before dessert, you’ll need to manage the time between buying the ice lollies and serving them.
Follow Anses’ advice: pick up frozen food last, carry it in an insulated bag, keep the journey short and put it in the freezer as soon as possible.
Brands and retailers to know
Carrefour EXTRA
Carrefour offers, among other options, an assortment of eight mini ice lollies weighing 32 g each. It’s worth considering if you’re looking for smaller individual portions.
- The product listing gives details about the pack size, ingredients and allergens.
- This recipe contains milk, soya and almonds, and may contain traces of eggs and other nuts. Check the pack before serving it to a child with an allergy.
Magnum
The range includes multipacks of mini ice lollies, including Mini Utopia Double Noisette in a pack of six.
- The number of ice lollies makes it easy to compare this pack with what a small group needs.
- The Mini Utopia Double Noisette recipe shown by Magnum contains milk and several types of nuts. Check the allergen information for the product you choose.
Auchan
Auchan’s ice lolly range includes packs with different numbers of items, depending on the product.
- This variety of pack sizes makes it easier to compare the number of portions you need for your group.
- The number of items alone doesn’t tell you the portion size or ingredients, so check each product individually.
Marque Repère / E.Leclerc
E.Leclerc’s Marque Repère ice cream range includes, among other options, an assortment of 20 sticks weighing 850 g in total.
- The number of items makes this pack worth comparing with what a larger group needs.
- Before choosing it, check the ingredients and allergens, and make sure you have enough room for the pack in your freezer.
Lidl
Lidl France lists ice cream in its frozen food section.
- This section can help you find products to consider for a dessert to share.
- Check the number of items, ingredients and allergens for the product you choose.
Joybuy products to consider
These individually portioned options include packs for smaller and larger groups, as well as a product that needs freezing before serving. Compare the number of items and preparation instructions: they aren’t all served in the same way.
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CAPRI-SUN Orange & Cherry Ice Pops, 12 pieces, 444 g
With 12 ice lollies, you can plan to give one to each person in a group of this size.
Orange and cherry assortment. The product may contain traces of cereals containing gluten, peanuts, soya, milk and nuts. Check the packaging if a child has an allergy.
Store at −18 °C or below; do not refreeze after thawing.
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ABC JELLY Fruity Jelly Bar Assorted Ice Pops
This product needs to be frozen, so it’s a good choice if you can prepare dessert before the children arrive; it isn’t ready to serve straight after purchase.
Check the net quantity and number of items on the packaging before planning portions: the product’s stated weights don’t match. If anyone has an allergy, check the pack label too.
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Maison de la Glace Water Ice Pops, 5 flavours, 12 pieces, 1200 g
This pack of 12 ice lollies could work for a shared dessert if one each is enough for your group.
Store at −18 °C. The product descriptions give conflicting allergen information, so check the pack label before serving it to a child with an allergy.
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MR FREEZE Mister Freeze Ice Pop, 64 × 105 ml
The number of items could suit a larger group, as long as you have enough room to store the pack.
The preparation and storage information doesn’t match, so check the freezing and serving instructions before relying on this product for dessert.
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Binggrae Melona Banana Ice Cream Bar, 8 × 70 ml
With eight ice lollies, this pack could suit a small group if you’re planning to serve one each.
Banana flavour; store at −18 °C. Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack before serving it to a child with an allergy.
Frequently asked questions
Can you choose ice lollies for children without checking the allergens?
No, especially if one of the children has a known allergy. In France, the DGCCRF says allergens must be highlighted in the ingredients list on prepacked foods. Read the label on the pack you’ll be serving, and check any dietary requirements with the child’s parent or carer.
Is a pack of 20 better than an assortment of eight mini ice lollies?
Choose based on how many people you’ll be serving and the portion size you want, not just the number of items. A larger pack may suit a bigger group, while an assortment of eight mini ice lollies may be enough for a smaller one. Also consider how much freezer space you’ll need.
How should you transport ice lollies if dessert follows an activity?
Buy frozen food last and carry it in an insulated bag, keeping the journey as short as possible, in line with Anses’ advice. Put it in the freezer as soon as you can, and leave it there until you’re ready to serve.
Is an online product listing enough to check the ingredients?
No. Use it to help you decide, then check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging of the product you buy. This is especially important if dessert is for a child with an allergy or who needs to avoid certain foods.