For a group dessert, first decide whether everyone should have an individual portion or whether you’d prefer smaller pieces to share. The number of units alone isn’t enough to compare these formats. An assortment caters for different tastes, while a single-flavour box is a good choice when you know everyone’s preferences. Then check the ingredients for each recipe and make sure you can put the products in the freezer as soon as they arrive.
Individually wrapped ice lolly bars are easy to hand out, with no need to cut up a tub of ice cream. Still, compare the size of each piece: the Magnum products listed by Auchan include boxes of 8 standard bars, 10 minis and 12 bites, for example, and these aren’t equivalent portions.
If you don’t know what your guests like, check which flavours are in the box rather than relying on the word “assortment”. The Magnum products listed by Auchan include three or four recipes, depending on the format; a single-flavour box doesn’t offer the same choice.
Check the ingredients for the exact product you choose: the Magnum products listed by Auchan contain milk and, depending on the recipe, almonds or a warning that they may contain traces of other nuts. For the journey after collection, Anses recommends keeping transport time to a minimum and using an insulated bag.
First, decide whether everyone should have a whole ice lolly bar or be able to pick up a smaller piece. Flavours, ingredients and the arrangements for collection or delivery can then help you choose between formats.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Number and size of portions | Compare the number of pieces and the volume of each ice lolly bar, or the net weight if you’re buying bites. | I want to plan one portion per guest without confusing minis with standard bars. Around 33% of consumers would put this first. |
| Range of flavours | Check how many recipes are in the box and whether it contains an assortment or just one flavour. | When I don’t know the group’s tastes, I’d rather offer a choice of recipes. This would be the top criterion for around 25% of consumers. |
| Keeping the products cold | Check the collection or delivery slot, and plan your journey and freezer space. | If I can’t put frozen food away quickly, the order arrangements determine my choice; nearly 25% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Allergens and ingredients | Check the ingredients and “may contain” statements for the exact product, then check its packaging. | If a recipe might not be suitable for one of my guests, I need to rule it out before choosing flavours. Around 17% of consumers would make this check their priority. |
At Auchan, a Magnum assortment of 10 mini bars contains pieces of 55 ml, compared with 110 ml for the standard bars in the boxes of 8 we looked at. So one piece doesn’t represent the same portion in both formats.
Count your guests, then compare the number of units and the volume of each one based on the dessert you want to serve.
The Magnum products we looked at contain milk; some include almonds or carry a warning that they may contain traces of other nuts. A flavour that suits one guest doesn’t mean the whole box is suitable.
Read the information for the exact product before ordering, then check the packaging when it arrives before serving.
Waiting after delivery or making a long journey after collection makes it harder to keep frozen food cold. Anses recommends keeping transport time to a minimum and not refreezing food that has thawed.
Choose a slot when someone can take in the order, make space in your freezer and take an insulated bag if you’re collecting it.
A single-flavour box is easy to hand out, but it doesn’t offer the same choice as an assortment of three or four recipes, such as those listed by Auchan.
If you don’t know what everyone likes, compare the flavours actually included. If everyone wants the same one, a single-flavour format may be enough.
These brands and retailers give you an idea of the formats available and how to order. Their inclusion here doesn’t guarantee that they deliver to your address.
The range listed by Auchan lets you compare standard bars, minis, assortments and ice cream bites.
Its frozen food range includes standard Magnum bars and minis.
The retailer offers online grocery shopping, with drive-through collection, pedestrian collection or delivery depending on local availability.
Its product pages for Magnum bars and bites give you the details you need to plan a sharing platter.
Lidl France’s frozen food section includes an ice cream category.
ALDI France’s frozen desserts section includes multi-piece packs.
This selection includes ice lolly bars, water ice lollies and a sorbet on a stick, in boxes of 4, 8 or 12. For a group, compare the number and size of the portions and the flavours, rather than treating these categories as interchangeable.
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Consider this box if you want to hand out eight bars and the group likes melon flavour.
The product page lists 70 ml per piece and storage at −18 °C. It includes milk among the ingredients and warns that the colour E102 may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.
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Twelve individual ice lollies weighing 37 g each could be a good choice if you’re after small orange and cherry-flavoured portions. The mention of two fruits doesn’t guarantee that the box contains two distinct flavours.
The product page lists storage at −18 °C and warns that the product may contain traces of cereals containing gluten, peanuts, soya, milk and nuts. Check the packaging if this matters to anyone in your group.
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This assortment of 12 water ice lollies offers five flavours for a group looking for variety. To choose the right portion size, check how big each piece is rather than looking only at the total weight of the box.
The product page says to store at −18 °C and advises against the product for anyone at risk of an allergic reaction. Check the allergen information on the packaging before serving.
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Eight individual coconut bars are a good choice for a group whose members are known to like this flavour, rather than for anyone looking for an assortment.
The product page lists 70 ml per piece and storage below −18 °C. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the label if anyone in your group needs to avoid certain ingredients.
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This coconut sorbet comes as four 70 g bars and is suited to a small group who would prefer sorbet to ice cream. If you’re serving a larger group and want to give everyone a bar, you’ll need more than one box.
The product page says to store at −18 °C and notes that the facility also handles nuts, milk, soya and peanuts. It also says the product is not suitable for children under 36 months. Check the packaging before serving.
Count the people you’re serving and compare the number of pieces with their size, not just the total weight. For example, the Magnum products listed by Auchan include standard bars of 110 ml, minis of 55 ml and boxes of 12 bites. Decide whether everyone should have a whole piece or be able to take a smaller portion.
Put them in the freezer straight away. If you’re collecting them, Anses recommends using an insulated bag and keeping transport time to a minimum. Also follow the storage temperature shown on the box you’ve chosen.
No. Anses recommends not refreezing food that has thawed. Plan your journey and make space in the freezer before ordering, rather than relying on being able to refreeze the products after they’ve thawed.
Don’t assume it is: check each product before ordering, then check its packaging before serving. The Magnum products listed by Auchan vary by recipe; some contain almonds or carry a warning that they may contain traces of other nuts.