For a meal on the train, only choose a multipack of ice lollies if you can keep them frozen until you’re ready to eat them. The DGCCRF recommends using an insulated bag and keeping transport time as short as possible. For two to four people, start by looking at assortments of six to eight mini ice lollies. If everyone wants a standard-sized portion, check the number of lollies and how much room they’ll take up in your insulated container. In all cases, check the ingredients for every flavour, and don’t take these products with you if you can’t keep them at the required temperature.
For two to four travellers who want individual portions and a choice of flavours, it’s worth considering an assortment of six or eight mini ice lollies. You’ll also need to keep the whole box frozen until you’re ready to serve them.
A box of standard-sized ice lollies could work if it contains enough for everyone and fits in your insulated container. Before sharing an assortment, check the ingredients for every flavour.
If you can’t keep the ice lollies frozen between taking them out of the freezer and eating them, it’s better to choose something else for the train. An insulated bag helps with transport, as the DGCCRF recommends, but simply having one doesn’t guarantee that the product’s storage instructions will be followed.
First, work out how you’ll keep the ice lollies frozen until mealtime, then choose the number and size of portions. A pack that’s easy to share won’t make up for unsuitable storage.
| What to check | Look for | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping them frozen | The storage instructions on the box and whether you can keep the ice lollies frozen until you’re ready to eat them. The Magnum Mini assortment featured by Joybuy France should be stored at −18 °C or below and must not be refrozen after thawing. | “I want the ice lollies to stay frozen throughout the journey, even if we’re not eating until later”; around 42% of consumers would make keeping them cold their top priority. |
| Sharing and portion sizes | The number of ice lollies, their size and the flavours actually included in the box. Magnum France features an assortment of six 55 mL mini ice lollies; Auchan France lists an assortment of eight. | “I’m looking for one portion per person to share between several travellers, without taking an unnecessarily large box”; around 25% of consumers would put portion sharing first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | The ingredients list and any “contains” or “may contain” allergen information for every flavour, especially in an assortment. | “If someone in the group needs to avoid an ingredient, I want to know what’s in every flavour before choosing”; around 17% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
| Space in your luggage | How much room the box and insulated container will take up alongside the rest of your luggage. SNCF Connect says that passengers on the relevant TGV INOUI and INTERCITÉS journeys must be able to carry all their luggage themselves in one trip. | “I’m already carrying my other belongings and want to keep my luggage manageable”; compactness would be the top priority for around 16% of consumers. |
A pack with lots of ice lollies takes up more room in your insulated container and may leave you with some to deal with after your meal. The DGCCRF recommends keeping the time spent transporting frozen products to a minimum.
Count how many people will have an ice lolly during the journey and check that you can keep the whole box frozen until you’re ready to serve it. For a small group, compare packs of six or eight first.
Different flavours in the same assortment may contain different ingredients and allergen information. The flavour names don’t replace the labelling on the exact box you’re buying.
Read the ingredients and allergen information before you buy. If one flavour isn’t suitable for a traveller, choose a product that meets their dietary needs.
A product featured in a limited-time offer may not be available at the shop where you do your pre-journey shopping.
Check the product and its availability with your chosen shop, then read the storage instructions on the box you buy.
Worth a look if you’re deciding between assorted mini portions and standard-sized ice lollies.
A retailer to compare if you’re looking for an assortment of mini ice lollies to share.
A retailer to check if you want to compare boxes with different numbers of ice lollies.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a pack for a larger group, rather than a small box to open during the journey.
A small pack worth considering for a smaller group.
Yes, as long as you can keep them frozen until you’re ready to eat them and follow the instructions on the box. The DGCCRF recommends using an insulated bag and keeping transport time as short as possible. The Magnum Mini assortment featured by Joybuy France should be stored at −18 °C or below and must not be refrozen after thawing.
An assortment of six to eight mini ice lollies is a good place to start, rather than choosing a large box straight away. Magnum France features an assortment of six 55 mL mini ice lollies, while Auchan France has an assortment of eight weighing 258 g. Check that the flavours suit everyone and that you can keep the pack frozen throughout the journey.
Read the ingredients and any “contains” or “may contain” information on the exact box, for every flavour in the assortment. The products described by Carrefour France and Auchan France show that ingredients can vary from one ice lolly to another. A flavour name alone isn’t enough to choose on behalf of someone with an allergy.
Choose a container you can carry along with all your other belongings. SNCF Connect says that, on the relevant TGV INOUI and INTERCITÉS journeys, you must be able to carry all your luggage yourself in one trip. Check the conditions for your train if your container is bulky.