Fans of individual ice lollies
You’re looking for a frozen dessert that combines vanilla and a chocolate coating, with nuts in some recipes. Carrefour and Auchan, for example, sell Magnum Almond in a box of four 100 mL ice lollies.
Who are these formats for?
People hosting guests who want a choice of flavours
You’d rather offer your guests a few options and serve mini portions. Magnum offers an assortment of six mini ice lollies, while ALDI also lists a box of twelve Mucci mini ice lollies.
People who pay attention to portions and labels
You compare the number of lollies, net quantity, ingredients, nutritional information and allergens in each box, rather than relying on the range’s branding alone.
What should you look for?
First decide whether you want to serve one classic portion per person or offer a selection of smaller lollies. Then compare the recipes and labels on the boxes that suit your group.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Individual portion and recipe | The volume per lolly and the ingredients in the coating or inclusions. | If I want my ice lolly to work as an individual dessert, the recipe and size matter more to me than the choice of flavours; around 42% of consumers would prioritise an individual portion. |
| Sharing and variety | The number of mini ice lollies and the flavours actually included in the box. | When several people are watching a film, I’d rather everyone could choose a flavour without having to take a large portion; almost 33% of consumers would prioritise sharing a variety of flavours. |
| Number of portions and label | The number of lollies, net quantity, ingredients and nutritional values per 100 g or 100 mL. | If I’m serving the whole group, I want to know what each portion contains before choosing a box; around 25% of consumers would put format and checking the label first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming “premium” tells you what’s in it
This term describes how a product is positioned commercially, not the ingredients or allergens in a particular recipe. Chocolate and almond products should be checked individually.
Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the box you choose, even if you already know the brand.
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Choosing based on the number of ice lollies alone
Six mini lollies and six classic lollies don’t necessarily provide the same amount per person. For example, Magnum lists its Mini Classic, Almond and White Chocolate assortment as 55 mL per lolly, compared with 100 mL per lolly for the Almond box sold by Carrefour.
Decide how many portions you want to serve, then compare the size of each lolly and the net quantity.
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Assuming a product will be in stock without checking
ALDI says that a six-count Mucci Almond ice lolly product is no longer available on its product page.
If your plans depend on a particular assortment, check with the retailer that it’s available before you set off.
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Letting the ice lollies warm up on the way home
Transport and waiting before serving can break the cold chain. The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (Anses) advises against refreezing food that has been defrosted.
Pick up frozen products at the end of your shop, carry them in an insulated bag and follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
Brands to know when comparing formats
Magnum
The French range includes Almond ice lollies, mini assortments and a Vegan Almond recipe.
- Carrefour lists Magnum Almond in a 4 × 100 mL box; Magnum offers a Mini Classic, Almond and White Chocolate assortment in a 6 × 55 mL box.
- Ingredients and allergens vary by recipe, so check each box separately.
Trium
A brand stocked by E.Leclerc, with ice lollies and mini ice lollies, including a vanilla, milk chocolate and almond recipe.
- The vanilla, milk chocolate and almond product listed by E.Leclerc contains four lollies and weighs 314 g.
- The ingredients and format of this product aren’t representative of the entire Trium range.
Pouce
Auchan sells a box under this brand containing six maxi vanilla, milk chocolate and almond ice lollies, with a net weight of 510 g.
- The six lollies make it easy to plan how to serve a group.
- The product page warns that it may contain traces of cereals containing gluten, peanuts, egg and other nuts.
Mucci
ALDI lists an assortment of twelve Mucci mini ice lollies in chocolate, white chocolate, almond and classic flavours.
- The twelve small lollies and advertised flavours offer a group a few options to choose from.
- Check that the product you want is available before planning your assortment around it.
Ice lollies on Joybuy
These boxes suit two kinds of TV night: serving individual ice lollies or offering smaller portions, with or without a choice of flavours. Compare the number of lollies and the recipe in each box before you choose.
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Côte D'or Vanilla, Milk Chocolate and Hazelnut, 4 ice lollies, 260 g
An option to consider if everyone wants an individual chocolate and hazelnut ice lolly. If you have allergies, check the ingredients and information on the packaging.
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Magnum Mini Classic, Almond and White Chocolate, 6 ice lollies, 254 g
The mini format and three advertised flavours make this a good choice if you want to offer a selection of ice lollies. Check the assortment’s allergen information on the packaging.
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Magnum White Chocolate & Cookies, 3 ice lollies, 270 g
Consider this if you’d prefer a white chocolate and biscuit recipe rather than an assortment of flavours. Three lollies won’t suit the same needs as a box of six mini ice lollies.
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Magnum White Chocolate & Strawberry, 4 ice lollies, 324 g
A strawberry and white chocolate recipe for serving four individual portions, with no variety of flavours in the box. Check the label if the possible presence of nuts is a concern.
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Magnum Mini Deluxe Caramel, 6 ice lollies, 330 g
The mini format is a good choice if you want to serve several small caramel portions. Before buying, check the packaging for allergens, nutritional information and storage instructions.
Frequently asked questions
How do you compare two boxes of ice lollies for a group?
Start with the number of lollies and the volume or net quantity, as a mini ice lolly and a classic portion aren’t suited to the same serving occasion. To compare recipes, check the ingredients and nutritional values on the same basis, such as per 100 g or 100 mL, as explained by the Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF).
Which allergens should you check in a chocolate and almond recipe?
Check the allergen information on the exact product’s box, not just its name. Information for Magnum Almond lists milk and almonds. The product page for Pouce vanilla, milk chocolate and almond ice lollies at Auchan also warns that they may contain traces of cereals containing gluten, peanuts, egg and other nuts.
What should you check on the label before buying?
Read the ingredients list, highlighted allergens, net quantity and nutritional values for the product you’ve chosen. The Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) states that nutritional information for relevant food products is given per 100 g or 100 mL, making this a useful basis for comparing two recipes.
How should you transport ice lollies after shopping?
Pick them up at the end of your shop, use an insulated bag and put them away promptly, following the instructions on the packaging. The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (Anses) advises against refreezing food that has been defrosted.
Is an ice lolly labelled as plant-based free from allergens?
No: “plant-based” doesn’t mean “allergen-free”. Magnum describes its Vegan Almond recipe as a plant-based ice cream containing almonds. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging before choosing it.