Party organisers catering for lots of guests
If you want to serve every child quickly, check the number of ice lollies rather than the apparent size of the box. The options shown by Auchan and Carrefour include boxes of 8 and 12.
Who are these formats for?
Parents who prefer smaller portions and a choice of flavours
Mini selections let you choose from several flavours or coatings. The options shown by Auchan and Carrefour include boxes of 10 and 8 mini lollies.
Organisers who need to take allergies into account
Ask families about any relevant allergies before buying. The Magnum and Carrefour Extra products reviewed contain milk; depending on the recipe, they may also list soya, almonds, other nuts or possible traces. Check the pack you’ll be serving at the party.
What should you check before buying?
Start with the number of children and any allergies they’ve told you about. Then choose your portion size and plan how to keep the ice lollies frozen in transit.
Ice lollies in one flavour
Consider this: if the group is happy with one flavour and you want to hand out portions without asking each child to choose.
Bear in mind: there’s less choice of flavour, so check that the recipe is suitable for any declared allergies.
Assorted mini lollies
Consider this: if you’re looking for smaller portions and several flavours in one box.
Bear in mind: the different varieties may have different ingredients, so check the whole selection before serving.
| What matters | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Number of portions | Count the children you’re expecting, then compare that number with the number of lollies in each box. | If I’m hosting a large group, I want to be able to give everyone an individual portion; around 27% of consumers put this ability to serve everyone first. |
| Declared allergies | Ask families about allergies and check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the exact pack. | When an allergy has been reported, I need to choose based on the actual ingredients, not the advertised flavour; around 33% of consumers put this check first. |
| Smaller portions and variety | Compare the number of mini lollies and the flavours in the selection. | I’d rather offer a choice of flavours than give everyone a large lolly; around 20% of consumers prioritise smaller portions and variety. |
| Transport and storage | Plan for an insulated bag, a short journey and enough freezer space; follow the instructions on the pack. | If the party is a long way from the shop, I need to be able to keep the ice lollies frozen until they’re served; keeping them cold is a priority for around 20% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing the box with the most lollies without checking anything else
The number of lollies helps you plan how many portions to serve, but it doesn’t tell you whether the portion size is right or whether the ingredients are suitable for the children attending.
Count your guests, then check the recipe and allergens for the product you’ve chosen.
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Relying on the flavour name to check for allergens
The Magnum and Carrefour Extra products reviewed contain milk; some also list nuts, soya or possible traces. The flavour name alone isn’t enough to make a decision.
Ask families about allergies, then check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the pack you’ll be serving.
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Buying frozen products long before you get home
Plan your journey and the wait before the party so the ice lollies stay frozen.
France’s National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety advises buying frozen food towards the end of your shop and using an insulated bag to transport it. Make sure you also have room in the freezer.
Brands to know
Magnum
Auchan offers boxes of 8 standard Magnum ice lollies and a selection of 10 mini lollies.
- The selections mentioned bring several flavours or coatings together in one box.
- The products reviewed contain milk, and some list almonds or other nuts, including as possible traces. Check the exact recipe.
Carrefour Classic'
Carrefour offers a Chocolate and Vanilla Chocolate option with 12 ice lollies.
- The 12-piece pack makes it easier to work out how many portions you’ll need for a group.
- Before serving this product to children with allergies, check the ingredients and allergen information on the box.
Carrefour Extra
Carrefour offers a selection of 8 mini lollies, weighing 32 g each, with several chocolate varieties and an almond option.
- The mini format combines smaller portions with a choice of varieties.
- The ingredients for this product include milk, soya and almonds, and it may contain traces of eggs and other nuts.
Products for the party
These Joybuy products include boxes of Binggrae Melona ice lollies in one flavour, as well as ABC JELLY fruit jelly bars that can be frozen. Before deciding what to serve, bear in mind that these are different types of product and check the ingredients on each pack, especially if anyone has a declared allergy.
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ABC JELLY Fruity Jelly Bar Assorted, 850 g
A fruity selection if you’d prefer to offer a range of flavours rather than creamy ice lollies. These jelly bars need to be frozen before serving. Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack you’ll be giving to the children.
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Binggrae Melona Melon Ice Bar, 8 × 70 ml
A box of eight melon lollies if you want to serve one flavour to the group. Milk is listed in the ingredients, so check the pack before serving if anyone has a declared allergy. The description also notes that the product contains the colour E102 and carries a warning about its possible effects on children’s activity and attention.
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Binggrae Melona Banana Ice Cream Bar, 8 × 70 ml
A box of eight banana lollies if you’d like to serve just one flavour. Check the ingredients list and allergen information on the pack before serving.
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Binggrae Melona Coconut Ice Cream Bar, 8 × 70 ml
A box of eight coconut lollies for serving individual portions in one flavour. Don’t assume which allergens are present based on the flavour name; check the ingredients and information on the pack.
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Binggrae Melona Purple Yam Ice Cream Bar, 8 × 70 ml
A box of eight ube lollies if this flavour suits the group. Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack. The description also notes that the product contains the colour E129 and carries a warning about its possible effects on children’s activity and attention.
Frequently asked questions
Can you serve these ice lollies if a child has a milk allergy?
Don’t serve that child a product containing milk: the Magnum and Carrefour Extra products reviewed contain it. Ask families which allergies you need to consider, then compare them with the label on the product you’ve chosen. France’s Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control reminds shoppers that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted on the labels of prepacked foods in France.
Is a selection suitable if a child has a nut allergy?
Don’t choose a selection based on its name alone: the Carrefour Extra selection reviewed contains almonds and warns that it may contain traces of other nuts. Check every variety in the pack and have another option ready if its ingredients aren’t suitable for the declared allergies.
How should you transport ice lollies to the party?
Buy them towards the end of your shop and carry them in an insulated bag, as advised by France’s National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety. Put them in the freezer as soon as you get home and follow the storage instructions on the pack. The Magnum Mini Classic product shown by Auchan specifies −18 °C and says not to refreeze a product once it has thawed.
What should you read on the box before serving ice lollies?
At the very least, check the ingredients, allergens, number of portions and storage instructions for the product you’ve bought. In France, the Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control reminds shoppers that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted on the labels of prepacked foods.