For a TV night, first choose the number of lollies to suit your guests. A large box of one flavour is a good choice if everyone likes the same thing, while a selection lets you offer several recipes. Compare the net weight of the boxes too, check the ingredients for each flavour and plan a journey that keeps them frozen.
If several guests fancy an ice lolly, a box of 12 to 16 lets you work out how many portions you’ll have before the evening. The net weight also helps you compare lollies of different sizes. Carrefour, Auchan and Eco+ all offer pack sizes in this range.
When preferences vary, a selection means you don’t have to serve just one flavour. Magnum, for example, offers a pack of six mini lollies featuring Classic, Almond and White Chocolate. Check how many of each variety are included.
Before serving, check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings for each product, especially for chocolate or nut-based recipes. Carrefour and Auchan product listings show that these warnings vary from one product to another.
First decide how many lollies you’ll need and whether you want to offer more than one flavour. Then compare portion sizes and check the ingredients in the recipes you’re considering.
| Criteria | What to check | What matters to shoppers |
|---|---|---|
| Number of portions | Count the people who might want an ice lolly, then check the number of lollies and the net weight of the box. | I want to make sure there’s one for every guest; around 31% of consumers would put the number of portions at the top of their list. |
| Variety of flavours | Check which recipes are included and, if stated, how many of each flavour there are. | If the group has different tastes, I’d rather be able to offer a choice; variety would be the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Portion size | Compare the net weight and number of lollies in products of the same type. A mini lolly and a standard-size lolly are not the same portion. | I’m looking for an amount that suits each person, not just a high number of lollies in the box; around 23% of consumers would put portion size first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and any ‘may contain’ warnings for the exact product, including each recipe in a selection. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I check the box before choosing the flavours; this would come first for around 15% of consumers. |
Ice cream from a tub needs to be served in portions and requires utensils, while lollies are already individually portioned.
Choose lollies if you want to hand them out without bowls or spoons. Save the tub for an evening when you plan to serve the ice cream yourself.
Two boxes with the same number of lollies can have different net weights. The number of lollies alone doesn’t tell you how large the portions are.
Check both the number of lollies and the net weight, comparing similar recipes and pack sizes.
Depending on the recipe, Carrefour and Auchan product listings mention ingredients such as milk, soya and nuts, as well as possible traces of other allergens. The flavour name alone won’t tell you what’s in it.
Ask your guests about any dietary restrictions, then read the label on the exact box you’re buying, including the details for each flavour in a selection.
Getting your shopping home is part of maintaining the cold chain. The DGCCRF reminds shoppers that frozen food must be kept at the right temperature on the journey home too.
Pick up frozen food last, use an insulated bag or cool box if needed, and put it in the freezer as soon as you get home.
The range includes Classic, Almond and White Chocolate lollies, as well as mini selections.
Carrefour Classic’ includes a box of 12 vanilla and chocolate lollies weighing 450 g, while Carrefour Sensation offers, among other options, a four-pack of pecan caramel lollies.
The range includes, among other options, 12 vanilla lollies weighing 450 g and eight fruit lollies.
At E.Leclerc, Eco+ offers a box of 16 vanilla and chocolate lollies weighing 536 g.
The Aldi brand offers, among other options, four-packs of double-coated lollies and mini lollies.
These boxes include water ice lollies in a range of flavours, as well as melon and vanilla-and-chocolate lollies. They contain between eight and 12 lollies, so choose to suit your guests and their tastes, then check the label before serving.
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A box to consider if you need 12 portions and a choice of flavours. Check the ingredients and allergens on the exact packaging before offering these to a guest with dietary restrictions.
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Twelve orange and cherry lollies for guests who fancy a fruity option. Freeze before serving; if anyone has dietary restrictions, check the packaging for ‘may contain’ warnings.
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Ten lollies in five flavours if variety is what you’re after. Count your guests before choosing this pack, and check the packaging for allergen information.
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Eight portions in one melon flavour, worth considering if it suits your group. The recipe contains milk, so check the label before serving to anyone with dietary restrictions.
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Eight vanilla-and-chocolate lollies of the same recipe for a group who share the same taste. The product contains milk and may contain nuts, so check the packaging before serving.
First count the guests who might want an ice lolly, then check how many are in the box. Carrefour, Auchan and Eco+ offer products with 12 to 16 lollies for a group; a four-pack is better suited to a smaller gathering. Check the net weight too, as portion sizes can vary.
A large box of one flavour is a good choice if everyone likes the same recipe. A selection is more useful when tastes differ. Check how many lollies there are of each variety, especially in a mini selection, and read the ingredients for each recipe.
Read the ingredients list and highlighted allergens on the packaging for the exact product, rather than guessing from the flavour name. For a selection, check every recipe and any ‘may contain’ warnings. Carrefour and Auchan product listings show that this information varies from one product to another.
Pick up frozen food last and put it in the freezer as soon as you get home. The DGCCRF reminds shoppers that the cold chain must be maintained during transport too, and recommends using a cool box if your journey calls for one.