Don’t choose an ice lolly for a secondary school lunchbox if you can’t keep it at the required storage temperature until it’s time to eat. If you can, compare the amount per stick, check that each lolly is packaged as you need it to be, and read the allergen information for the exact recipe. The Magnum Mini selection featured by Joybuy must be stored at -18 °C or below: its smaller size doesn’t change that requirement.
An ice lolly is only an option if you can keep it at the required storage temperature during transport and until lunchtime. ANSES recommends limiting the time frozen products are in transit, while the DGCCRF advises checking the temperature stated on the packaging.
If you’re choosing a single lolly rather than a dessert to share, compare the amount per stick and the number of lollies in the box. For example, Carrefour lists a Magnum Mini product containing six 55 mL sticks.
Check the ingredients for the specific product and, in an assortment, for each variety, especially for milk and nuts. If a pupil has a food allergy, the Ministry of National Education says an individual care plan can be arranged with the school.
Start with storage: neither a small portion nor an insulated lunchbox can guarantee on its own that the required temperature will be maintained until lunchtime. Then check the size and ingredients of the product you’re considering.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping it frozen | Check the storage temperature on the packaging and make sure you can maintain it until the lolly is eaten. If not, choose a snack that doesn’t need to be kept frozen. | If I’m taking the lunchbox to secondary school, I need to be able to keep the lolly frozen until lunchtime. Keeping food cold is the top priority for around 50% of consumers. |
| Individual portion | Compare the amount per stick and the number of lollies; check how each one is packaged if it needs to be taken on its own. | If I’m giving a pupil a single ice lolly, I want to know its size rather than relying on the word “mini”. Around 30% of consumers prioritise portion size. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the label for the exact recipe and, for an assortment, check the label for each variety. | If I need to avoid an ingredient for a pupil, the flavour on the front of the pack isn’t enough to guide my choice. Checking allergens comes first for around 20% of consumers. |
A mini ice lolly is still a frozen product: its size doesn’t change the temperature at which it needs to be stored.
Check the storage instructions on the packaging and consider the actual transport and waiting conditions. If you can’t maintain the required temperature until lunchtime, pack a snack that doesn’t need to be kept frozen.
The ingredients can vary between lollies in the same box. The flavour name alone doesn’t tell you whether it contains milk, almonds or other allergens.
Check the ingredients list and allergen information for each variety before choosing the assortment.
The number of lollies and their quantity don’t necessarily tell you how each one is packaged.
If a lolly needs to go into the lunchbox on its own, check the packaging for the product you’ve chosen before buying.
Carrefour lists a Magnum Mini product in a box of six 55 mL sticks. Joybuy also stocks a six-piece Magnum Mini assortment.
Auchan lists an assortment of eight mini ice lollies with a total weight of 258 g.
ALDI lists a Mucci product containing twelve mini ice lollies, with a stated total weight of 429 g.
Only if you can make sure it stays at the required storage temperature until it’s eaten. The DGCCRF advises checking the temperature on the packaging and maintaining the cold chain. For example, the Magnum Mini assortment featured by Joybuy must be stored at -18 °C or below.
No: “mini” describes the size, not how each lolly is packaged. If it needs to be taken on its own, check the packaging shown on the box for the product you’ve chosen.
Read the ingredients and allergen information for each variety; don’t rely on the flavour name alone to tell you what’s in it. The DGCCRF reminds consumers that allergenic ingredients must be clearly highlighted on the labels of prepacked foods. If a pupil has a food allergy, also ask the school about the arrangements in place.