Organisers keeping track of portions
You’re organising a school fair and need to work out how many lollies to buy. The number in each pack matters just as much as the price when you’re comparing the cost per portion.
Who is this guide for?
Organisers who need to check allergens
You want to be able to share information about the product you’re serving. A fruit flavour doesn’t mean it’s dairy-free: check the ingredients and allergen information for each product.
Organisers with limited freezer space on site
You need to plan for the journey, waiting time and serving, while keeping the products properly stored. Before choosing a large multipack, make sure you can maintain the required storage temperature right up to the last lolly being served.
What should you check before buying?
For ice lollies at a school fair, first make sure you can keep them cold and have access to the allergen information. Then compare pack sizes according to the number of portions you need.
| Criteria | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping products cold | The temperature stated on the pack, and how you’ll transport and store the products until they’re served. | If the venue doesn’t have suitable equipment, I need to plan the journey and waiting time before choosing a pack. Around 50% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
| Cost per portion | Pack price, number of lollies and net weight if portion sizes vary. | To serve the planned number of children, I want to compare how many portions each pack will actually provide. This would be the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Allergens and recipe | Ingredients list, declared allergens and any differences between flavours. | If there are several recipes to choose from, I need to be able to identify clearly which one I’m giving to each child. Around 20% of consumers would make this information their main criterion. |
Mistakes to avoid at a school fair
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Comparing pack prices alone
Two packs may contain different numbers of lollies; mini and standard sizes don’t necessarily provide the same-sized portion.
Work out the cost per lolly, then check the net weight if portion size is important to your decision.
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Assuming a fruit lolly is dairy-free
Two Auchan products described as fruit lollies had different ingredients: one had an ingredients list with no milk, while the other declared milk and lactose.
Read the label on the pack you buy. If you’re serving an assortment, check the information for each flavour you’ll be offering.
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Buying frozen products before arranging transport
For perishable products served at a school event, the French Ministry of National Education reminds organisers that the storage temperature stated on the label must be maintained.
Pick up the ice lollies last when you’re shopping, use an insulated container and check what storage facilities are available at the venue.
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Assuming you know the cost of an ice lolly from a supermarket ranking
The ranking published by UFC-Que Choisir in September 2026 compares retailers across their overall ranges, not the same pack of ice lollies sold in each shop.
For your fair, compare the packs actually available, how many lollies they contain and their labels.
Retailers and brands to consider
These options include different ranges and pack sizes, so you can’t choose a retailer for your fair based on its name alone. Compare the products available when you do your shopping.
Carrefour
The retailer offers Carrefour Classic’ ice lollies, as well as products from national brands.
- A pack of 12 Carrefour Classic’ chocolate and vanilla lollies makes it easy to plan portions for the fair.
- The range varies by store, so check the recipe and allergens on the pack you choose.
Auchan
The retailer offers vanilla lollies, fruit-flavoured options and products from national brands.
- A pack of 12 vanilla lollies weighing 450 g helps you plan portions; fruit recipes offer another type of product to consider.
- Two fruit-flavoured products may have different ingredients, particularly when it comes to milk. Don’t rely on the flavour name instead of reading the label.
ALDI / MUCCI
ALDI sells mini ice lollies and other frozen desserts under its MUCCI brand.
- The MUCCI pack of 12 mini lollies, weighing 429 g in total, makes it easy to count the portions you’ll need.
- Check which pack size is available at your local store, along with the ingredients and storage instructions on the pack you buy.
Magnum
This national brand is available in mini-lolly assortments and packs of different sizes.
- It may suit you if you’re looking for a particular flavour, assortment or mini size.
- If you’re selling lollies individually, compare the number in the pack, portion sizes and allergens rather than relying on the brand name.
E.Leclerc
Worth including when comparing local shops, without assuming what ice lollies a particular store will stock.
- The retailer ranking published by UFC-Que Choisir in September 2026 can help you decide which shops to compare for your overall shopping.
- The ranking covers retailers’ overall ranges, so it can’t tell you the cost per portion of a specific ice lolly.
Ice lollies available on Joybuy
This selection includes fruit lollies, Magnum products, a melon-flavoured lolly and a coconut sorbet. Choose according to the number of portions you need, the recipe and the information on the pack. Compare the cost per lolly separately before choosing a pack for your fair.
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CAPRI-SUN Orange & Cherry, 12 ice lollies, 444 g
Consider this pack if you want to count out 12 individual portions. The description mentions possible traces of milk and other allergens, so check the information on the pack before serving this flavour and follow its storage instructions.
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Magnum Classic, 8 ice lollies, 600 g
This pack is a good fit if you’re looking to serve eight portions of the same product. The description states that it contains milk and may contain nuts. Keep the packaging so you can check the allergen and storage information during the fair.
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Binggrae Melona melon, 8 × 70 ml
The eight 70 ml portions make it easy to plan how many lollies to serve. The description states that the product contains milk and includes a warning about the colour E102 and its effect on children’s activity and attention. Check the label before choosing this product for your fair.
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Magnum Mini Classic, Almond & White Chocolate, 6 lollies, 254 g
This assortment of six mini lollies lets you offer a choice of flavours rather than just one recipe. The description mentions milk and possible nuts, so check the information for each flavour and keep the packaging to hand while you’re serving them.
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POP FRUIT Sorbet 100% Coconut, 4 lollies, 280 g
This pack of four lollies means you’ll need several boxes if you’re serving a large number of portions. The description mentions possible traces of milk and other allergens, and states that the product is not suitable for children under 36 months. Check the label before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How should you transport ice lollies for a school fair?
Transport them in a way that keeps them at the storage temperature stated on the packaging. The French Ministry of National Education’s guidance for school events recommends using an insulated container and keeping products cold on site until they’re served. Check what equipment is available before you buy.
Is a fruit lolly always dairy-free?
No. The flavour name alone doesn’t tell you what’s in it. Two Auchan fruit products had different ingredients, with one declaring milk and lactose. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you’ll be serving.
What should you check on the pack before the fair?
Start by checking the ingredients, allergens, quantity and storage instructions. The DGCCRF also lists the product name and nutritional information among the details required on pre-packed food labels. Keeping the packaging means you can refer to the information for the product you’re serving.
Are sorbet and ice cream the same thing?
No. The DGCCRF distinguishes sorbets from ice cream and other frozen dessert categories based on their composition. The product name can help you identify the type of dessert, but it doesn’t tell you all the ingredients or allergens in a particular lolly, so check its label.
Can you bring any frozen dessert to school to sell?
Don’t assume that every frozen dessert will be allowed at a school fair. Check with the school or organiser before buying, and make sure you can follow the storage and transport instructions for the product you choose.