Hosts planning a family brunch
If you’re having several people over, count the ice lollies before choosing a pack. Individual portions in a range of flavours can make serving easier, without having to cut up a tub of ice cream.
Who are these pack sizes for?
People who pay close attention to ingredients
If any of your guests have allergies or want to compare recipes, check the ingredients, allergen information and nutritional details for the exact product. Look at each flavour separately if needed.
Smaller households looking to try different flavours
A selection of mini ice lollies lets you offer several flavours in one pack. However, check how many of each variety are included if you already know what your guests prefer.
What should you compare?
To choose between a chocolate selection, fruity sorbets and a larger pack of ice cream bars, start by working out how many people you need to serve. Then compare the recipes and the space available in your freezer. A pack with more pieces doesn’t necessarily offer a wider choice of flavours.
| Factor | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Number of portions | Count the pieces you’ll need for your guests, then check the weight of each ice lolly rather than just the total pack weight. | I want to offer everyone an ice lolly without opening a second pack. Around 31% of consumers would make the number of portions their top priority. |
| Flavours and allergens | Compare the flavours, ingredient lists and ‘may contain’ statements on the exact pack. | If tastes differ or I need to take an allergy into account, I check each recipe before serving. This would be the main factor for around 23% of consumers. |
| Where it fits into the meal | Check the nutritional information per portion and plan the other breakfast foods separately. | I’d like to serve an ice lolly as part of the meal without treating it as the whole breakfast. This would be the top consideration for around 31% of consumers. |
| Storage | Check there’s room in your freezer and note the storage temperature on the packaging. Plan how you’ll transport the frozen products. | If it’s a long journey or my freezer is already full, I need to keep the pack frozen until it’s time to serve. Around 15% of consumers would prioritise this consideration. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Relying on the words ‘large pack’ instead of checking the number of pieces
The total weight doesn’t tell you how many people will get an individual portion. A selection of 8 ice lollies and a pack of 10 pieces won’t serve the same number of guests.
Count the people you’ll be serving, then compare the number of ice lollies and their individual weight.
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Assuming a fruity sorbet is allergen-free or sugar-free
Auchan’s product listing for Oasis peach and apple sorbet mentions sugar and glucose syrup, as well as possible traces of several allergens. The word ‘sorbet’ alone doesn’t tell you what’s in it.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the product you buy before serving it to your guests.
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Choosing a chocolate selection based on its flavours alone
The Magnum products reviewed list milk and possible traces of nuts. Auchan’s selection includes an almond variety and ingredients containing soya.
Check the information for every recipe in the pack, especially if anyone has an allergy.
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Buying a large pack without making room in the freezer
The product listings reviewed specify storage at −18 °C. The DGCCRF reminds consumers that maintaining the cold chain helps preserve food quality.
Pick up frozen products at the end of your shop, plan to transport them while cold and follow the instructions on the pack, particularly after defrosting.
Brands to know for this choice
Magnum
The Mini range includes chocolate-coated ice lollies in assorted packs. Auchan lists a Magnum pack of 10 mini ice lollies in Classic, Almond and White Chocolate flavours.
- Several flavours in one pack give your guests a choice.
- The products reviewed contain milk and may contain traces of nuts. Check the label on the pack you choose.
Oasis
Auchan lists Oasis peach and apple sorbet ice lollies in a pack of 10, weighing 400 g in total.
- The 10 ice lollies weigh 40 g each, making it easy to count the portions you’ll serve.
- The recipe contains sugar and glucose syrup. Its label also mentions possible traces of allergens.
Auchan
Auchan’s selection includes 8 mini vanilla ice lollies with different chocolate coatings, in a 258 g pack.
- A pack of 8 with several coatings, including milk, dark and white chocolate.
- Ingredients vary depending on the coating, and one variety contains almonds. Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack.
Ice lollies available on Joybuy
These are individually portioned ice lollies, mainly fruity sorbets. Compare them by the number of pieces and the flavours you’d like for your weekend breakfast. Check the ingredients and storage instructions for each product before choosing.
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POP FRUIT Mini, Sicilian lemon and Sicilian blood orange sorbets, 8 ice lollies (280 g)
Two fruity flavours in mini ice lollies, offering a choice for a small group.
The pack contains 8 ice lollies and weighs 280 g. The description mentions possible traces of several allergens, so check the label if you have an allergy.
Store at −18 °C; do not refreeze after defrosting.
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POP POLO, water ice lollies, 5 flavours, 10 pieces (700 g)
Worth considering when several guests would like to choose from a range of flavours.
The pack contains 10 ice lollies in 5 flavours and weighs 700 g. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging, even if the product listing doesn’t flag any allergens.
The product listing says to store at −18 °C before opening.
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POP FRUIT Mini, lemon and raspberry sorbets, 8 ice lollies
The two flavours offer a fruity choice for a small group.
If the weight of each ice lolly matters to you, check it on the pack. The product listing mentions possible traces of gluten, eggs, peanuts, soya, milk and nuts.
Store at −18 °C; do not refreeze after defrosting.
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POP FRUIT Mini, raspberry sorbet and white chocolate, 6 ice lollies (282 g)
Each ice lolly pairs raspberry sorbet with a white chocolate coating, rather than offering several flavours to choose from.
The pack contains 6 pieces and weighs 282 g. The product contains milk and soya. Also check for any allergen trace warnings.
The product listing says it is not suitable for children under 36 months. Store at −18 °C.
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POP FRUIT 100% Lemon, lemon sorbet, 4 ice lollies (280 g)
Four ice lollies in one flavour are a good fit for a small group sharing lemon sorbet. Count the pieces if you’re having more people over.
The product listing mentions possible traces of several allergens, including milk and nuts. Check the warnings on the pack if you have an allergy.
The product listing says it is not suitable for children under 36 months. Store at −18 °C; do not refreeze after defrosting.
Frequently asked questions
Is one pack of ice lollies enough for breakfast?
It’s best to plan the other breakfast foods separately and serve the ice lollies as a cool treat with the meal. The ice creams and sorbets mentioned here contain sugars, and portion sizes and nutritional information vary by recipe.
Is a fruity sorbet automatically suitable for someone with a milk or nut allergy?
No. The word ‘sorbet’ alone doesn’t tell you whether there may be traces of allergens. Auchan’s product listing for Oasis peach and apple sorbet mentions possible traces of milk and nuts, among other allergens. Check the label on the product you buy.
How should you transport and store ice lollies after shopping?
Pick up frozen products at the end of your shop and keep them cold until they’re in the freezer. The DGCCRF highlights the importance of maintaining the cold chain; the product listings mentioned specify storage at −18 °C. Also follow the instructions on the pack if the product defrosts.
What should you check before serving a selection to a group?
Check how many ice lollies are in the pack, which flavours it actually contains and the ingredients in each recipe. Also read the allergen information and storage instructions on the exact pack. Two coatings in the same selection may have different ingredients.