Organisers who need to count portions
If you know how many people you need to serve, check the number of ice lollies in the box rather than its weight alone. The products listed by Carrefour and Auchan include packs of 6, 8 or 12.
Who is this choice for?
Teams responsible for allergen information
You need to be able to check the ingredients in every flavour offered to families. Carrefour and Auchan product listings identify milk in several products, as well as nuts or possible traces of other allergens, depending on the product.
Volunteers without a freezer near the stall
Before buying ice lollies, make sure you know how you’ll keep them cold during transport, while waiting and when handing them out. The French Ministry of Agriculture gives −18 °C as the reference temperature for frozen storage; follow the instructions on each pack.
Which factors should you compare?
For a school fair, the format determines the number and size of portions you can offer. You’ll still need to check allergen information and keep each product frozen as required.
Standard multipack
Worth considering: if you know how many portions you need and standard-sized ice lollies are suitable for your fair.
Keep in mind: a pack that’s easy to count won’t tell you which allergens each product contains.
Assortment
Worth considering: if you’d like to offer several flavours in one box.
Keep in mind: ingredients can vary between flavours. The Magnum Mini assortment listed by Auchan includes an almond flavour.
Mini ice lollies
Worth considering: if you’d prefer smaller portions. The Magnum Mini assortment listed by Auchan contains 6 ice lollies of 55 mL.
Keep in mind: a box of 6 covers fewer portions than a box of 8 or 12, and mini sizes still need an ingredients check.
| Factor | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens | The ingredients list and any ‘may contain’ warnings for each flavour; keep the information available at your stall. | I want to give families accurate answers without assuming every flavour has the same ingredients. Around 38% of consumers would put this information first. |
| Portions | The number of ice lollies per box and, if stated, the size of each portion. | If I’ve planned how many people to serve, I need to count the individual ice lollies rather than estimate portions from the pack’s weight. Around 31% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Keeping them frozen | The storage instructions on the pack and how you’ll follow them from storage to serving. | If I can’t keep them properly frozen near the stall, I need to rethink the arrangements before choosing frozen products. This would be the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Estimating portions from the box’s weight
Pack sizes don’t correspond to a set number of ice lollies: Auchan lists an assortment of 6 mini ice lollies weighing 254 g, while Carrefour lists a box of 12 ice lollies weighing 450 g.
Start with the number of portions you need, then check how many ice lollies are listed on each box.
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Assuming you know the allergens from the flavour
The chocolate and vanilla products we checked contain milk, but other ingredients and trace warnings vary. Carrefour’s Magnum Classic listing also identifies several nuts that may be present.
Check the ingredients for each product and flavour you buy, then keep the information handy during the fair.
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Buying before arranging frozen storage
Ice lollies need to be kept in the conditions stated on the pack. The French Ministry of Agriculture gives −18 °C as the reference temperature for frozen storage; the Magnum listing checked by Auchan also gives this temperature.
Make sure you have suitable storage, transport and serving arrangements before you buy. If you can’t follow the product’s storage instructions, choose a different category for the fair.
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Relying on a product you’ve spotted without checking it’s available
A product shown in a catalogue or online range isn’t enough to confirm how much you can buy for your fair. E.Leclerc, for example, asks customers to check the availability of its TRIUM product with the relevant store.
Check the exact product you plan to buy and its label before telling families which flavours and allergens it contains.
Brands to know when comparing formats
Magnum
Carrefour and Auchan list, among other products, boxes of 8 Classic ice lollies and 6-piece Mini assortments.
- Depending on the products listed, you can compare standard 100 mL portions with 55 mL mini ice lollies.
- The products checked contain milk. Carrefour notes that several nuts may be present in Classic, while the Mini assortment listed by Auchan includes an almond flavour.
Carrefour Classic'
Carrefour lists a 450 g box of 12 ice lollies, split between vanilla and chocolate.
- With 6 of each flavour, it’s easy to plan how to divide the portions.
- The product listing states that it contains milk and may contain traces of other allergens, including cereals containing gluten, peanuts and nuts. Check the exact label before the fair.
Auchan
The Auchan range includes, among other products, a 450 g box of 12 vanilla ice lollies.
- The number of ice lollies shown makes it easier to plan portions for serving.
- To share allergen information for this product, check the ingredients on the pack or its specific product listing.
TRIUM
E.Leclerc lists a 308 g pack of 4 vanilla ice lollies coated in milk chocolate.
- A smaller pack can help you reach your planned number of portions without buying a box of 8 or 12.
- The listed ingredients include milk and soya lecithins. E.Leclerc asks customers to check availability with their local store.
MUCCI
ALDI France has listed a MUCCI product containing 12 mini ice lollies and weighing 429 g.
- The number of mini ice lollies is stated, making it easier to plan portions.
- Check the product and its ingredients in store before adding it to your plans.
Multipacks of ice lollies on Joybuy
These multipacks contain 8 or 12 ice lollies, with either one flavour or a selection of flavours. First choose the quantity and portion size you need, then check the label and storage instructions on the box you select.
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CAPRI-SUN Orange & Cherry ice lollies x12, 444 g
A pack of 12 to consider if you need to plan for 12 individual portions.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack before offering these ice lollies to families. Also make sure you can follow the storage instructions until they’re served.
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MAGNUM Vanilla Almond ice lollies x8, 600 g
The box of 8 makes it easy to count portions for your stall.
Check the label carefully for this vanilla and almond product, particularly for milk and nuts. Follow the storage instructions throughout the fair.
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MAGNUM White Chocolate ice lollies x8, 600 g
This pack of 8 is easy to count if it matches the number of portions you need.
Check the label for this variety so you can tell families about its ingredients and any trace warnings. Make sure you can also keep the ice lollies frozen until you hand them out.
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MAGNUM Classic ice lollies x8, 600 g
The 8 ice lollies in this box make it easy to plan portions by the pack.
Carrefour’s Magnum Classic listing identifies milk and several nuts that may be present. Check the label on the box you actually buy, rather than assuming that two different pack sizes have the same ingredients.
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Maison de la Glace water ice lollies, 5 flavours, x12, 1 200 g
The 12 ice lollies and five flavours give you several options in one pack.
Before the fair, check the label for each flavour so you can give families accurate allergen information. Also make sure you know how to keep the ice lollies frozen until they’re served.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to check allergens if the ice lollies come in a shop-bought box?
Yes. The box gives you the exact ingredients for the products you’re offering. The DGCCRF states that allergenic ingredients in prepacked foods must be highlighted in the ingredients list. Keep this information available to families for every product and flavour.
What temperature should I keep them at before the fair?
Follow the storage temperature stated on the pack of ice lollies you buy, including during transport and while they’re waiting at your stall. The French Ministry of Agriculture gives −18 °C as the reference temperature for frozen storage, and the Magnum listing shown by Auchan gives the same instruction.
Is a Magnum assortment suitable if we need to avoid nuts?
Don’t assume it is: the box of Magnum mini ice lollies listed by Auchan includes an almond flavour. Check the ingredients and any trace warnings for every flavour in the exact box before offering it.