Travellers equipped to keep food cold
You plan to eat your ice lolly soon after shopping and can keep it frozen until then. This matters more than your choice of flavour.
Who are these options for?
Fans of chocolate recipes or added pieces
You’re choosing between a chocolate coating, cookies, almonds, caramel or a more intense cocoa flavour. Compare the exact recipe, then check its ingredients and allergens.
Small groups or travellers looking for a smaller portion
An assortment gives you several flavours to share, while a mini option may be better suited to a portion for the journey.
What should you check before buying?
First, make sure the ice lollies will stay frozen between the shop and when you eat them. Then compare the recipes, allergens and number of portions to suit your meal.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping it cold in transit | Use an insulated bag, buy frozen food last and keep the time before eating it to a minimum, following Anses advice on the cold chain. | If my journey continues after shopping, I need to be able to keep the ice lolly frozen until mealtime. Around 33% of consumers put this first. |
| Recipe | Compare the flavour, coating and added pieces in the product you’re considering, rather than relying on the word “premium” alone. | If I want a particular recipe to finish my meal, I might prefer cookies, caramel or dark chocolate. Around 27% of consumers prioritise the recipe. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the label for the exact flavour and format, including any warnings about possible traces. | If I’m sharing the box, everyone needs to be able to eat the recipe I choose. Around 20% of consumers put ingredient suitability first. |
| Size and quantity | Check the number of ice lollies and the amount per portion before choosing a box or mini option. | If I’m eating on my own, I won’t need the same quantity as a group of travellers. Size is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Buying a box without planning how to keep it cold
Choosing a recipe you love doesn’t remove the need to keep the ice lollies frozen. Anses recommends using an insulated bag and limiting the time frozen food spends in transit.
Buy your ice lollies last, and only take them on the train if you can keep them cold until mealtime.
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Assuming an assortment will suit everyone
Ingredients and allergens vary between recipes and flavours, even within the same brand.
Before sharing, check the label for each product you’re considering, including any “may contain” warnings.
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Choosing a large assortment for one portion
A box designed for sharing may not suit the number of people who’ll want an ice lolly during the journey.
Compare the number of ice lollies and the amount per portion before choosing between an assortment, a smaller box or a mini option.
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Counting on a particular dessert being available on board
According to SNCF Connect, catering options vary between trains and services, so you can’t assume an ice lolly will be available on your journey.
Check what’s on offer on your train if you’re planning to buy something on board. If you can’t keep your ice lolly cold in transit, choose a non-frozen dessert instead.
Brands and ranges to know
Magnum
Chocolate-coated ice lollies, available in options including assorted boxes and mini sizes.
- The Magnum Mania assortment featured by Auchan contains eight ice lollies in four flavours: Almond, Classic, White Chocolate and Double Caramel.
- If you’re sharing a box, check the allergens in each flavour and make sure you can keep the products frozen.
Häagen-Dazs
The vanilla cookie and milk chocolate option featured by Carrefour is aimed at anyone looking for an ice cream with added pieces.
- This recipe combines vanilla ice cream, cookie pieces and a milk chocolate coating.
- It contains milk, soya and wheat, among other ingredients. Check the label for the exact product and make sure it stays cold during your journey.
Picard Best
The dark chocolate option featured by Picard combines ice cream with cocoa nibs.
- Its coating is described as dark chocolate with 70% cocoa, and the box contains four ice lollies.
- This product should be stored at −18 °C. It contains milk and soya, and its label lists other possible allergens that may be present in traces.
Mucci
ALDI sells mini ice lollies and double-coated ice lollies under this brand.
- The different sizes let you compare a small portion with a double-coated recipe to suit your planned meal.
- The range may vary by shop, so check which product is available, its ingredients and the requirements for keeping it cold in transit.
Ice lollies to consider on Joybuy
These boxes offer portions to share, with fruity, chocolate or biscuit recipes. If you’re taking them on the train, you’ll need to be able to keep them frozen until you’re ready to eat them.
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PopFruit Mini Sorbet Sticks mango, passion fruit and dark chocolate, x6, 282 g
An option to consider if you’d like to share six small ice lollies with fruit and dark chocolate flavours.
Keep frozen until you’re ready to eat them. The product information lists soya and possible traces of other allergens, so check the label for the exact product.
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POPELINO Intense Dark Chocolate, x4, 312 g
Worth considering if you’re looking for a dark chocolate recipe in a box of four ice lollies.
You’ll need to keep the ice lollies frozen in transit. The product information lists milk and soya; check the label for details of any other allergens too.
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MAGNUM Mint Chocolate, x3, 234 g
This pack of three is a good option if you’re looking for a mint chocolate recipe in several portions.
Keep the ice lollies frozen until mealtime. This product contains milk and may contain nuts, so check the label before sharing.
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MIKO Donut Chocolate & Cookies, 4 × 62 ml
A box of four portions to consider if you’re looking for a chocolate and biscuit recipe.
Only take these on your journey if you can keep the ice lollies frozen. The product information lists milk, wheat and soya, as well as possible traces of other allergens.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take an ice lolly on the train without an insulated bag?
Choose a non-frozen dessert instead if you can’t keep the ice lolly frozen until mealtime. For transporting frozen food, Anses recommends using an insulated bag and keeping the journey as short as possible.
Can you refreeze an ice lolly that has thawed?
No. The guidance for the Häagen-Dazs products featured by Carrefour and Joybuy says not to refreeze them after thawing. Always follow the instructions on your own packaging too.
How should I choose an assortment to share with a group?
Check the number of ice lollies and the ingredients in each flavour before buying. Depending on the recipe, the products featured here may contain milk, soya, wheat or nuts, among other ingredients. Always refer to the label on the exact product you’re considering.
Can I count on being able to buy an ice lolly on my train?
Don’t assume an ice lolly will be available unless you’ve checked what’s on offer for your journey. SNCF Connect lists catering services that vary between trains; any desserts advertised don’t guarantee that this product will be available on board.