Organisers of large buffets
You want to turn your desired number of portions into boxes that are easy to count. Carrefour, Auchan and E.Leclerc, for example, offer packs of 12 to 20 pieces; check the quantity shown for the product you plan to buy.
Who are these formats for?
Hosts mindful of allergens
You need to check the ingredients in each recipe and keep the packaging available for guests. The information to check can vary from one flavour to another, even within an assortment.
Couples looking for a choice of individual desserts
You’d prefer to offer a choice of flavours or serve smaller portions. The mini assortments from Magnum and ALDI offer formats you can compare by flavour and number of pieces per box.
What should you check before buying?
Before deciding on quantities, make sure the venue can store frozen products and that the recipes are suitable for guests with allergies. Then compare the number of pieces and the flavours actually included.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping products cold | Storage instructions on the packaging, the journey and the freezer capacity at the venue. The French Ministry of Agriculture gives −18 °C as the benchmark temperature for frozen storage. | If the ice creams need to wait before they’re served, I need to be able to keep them cold and organise replenishments. Around 28% of consumers reportedly put this logistical planning at the top of their list of concerns. |
| Allergens | Ingredients and allergens for each product; keep the boxes accessible during service. The DGCCRF advises that allergens must be highlighted on the labels of pre-packed foods. | If any guests have allergies, I want to be able to identify exactly which recipe is being offered to them. This is reportedly the top priority for around 28% of consumers. |
| Number of portions | Number of pieces per box and the number of portions you want, with the extra allowance you’ve decided to include for serving. | For a large buffet, I want to make sure I have enough ice lollies without confusing a box’s weight with its number of pieces. Around 22% of consumers would reportedly prioritise this calculation. |
| Flavours and format | Flavours included and the quantity per piece, if stated; with an assortment, you’ll also need to check each recipe. | If I want to give guests a choice, several flavours or smaller portions matter more to me. This would reportedly be the main consideration for around 22% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming the flavour tells you which allergens are present
Two chocolate recipes may have different ingredients and different warnings about possible traces. Auchan’s vanilla and chocolate assortment, for example, lists milk, hazelnuts and soya; a Magnum Mini Double Chocolate product warns that it may contain soya and almonds.
Read the label on every box you buy, keep the packaging available during the buffet and only offer another product as an alternative after checking its ingredients too.
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Calculating portions from the total weight
Boxes of a similar weight don’t necessarily contain the same number of ice lollies. Products from Magnum, Carrefour and E.Leclerc, for example, include packs of 6, 12 or 20 pieces.
Start with the number of portions you want, divide it by the number of pieces in your chosen box, then round up to the next whole box.
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Buying without planning for transport and storage
A box that suits the number of guests won’t be enough if you can’t keep the ice creams at the stated storage conditions until they’re served.
Anses recommends keeping transport time to a minimum and using insulated bags. Plan for cold storage at the venue too, and take products out as they’re needed.
Without suitable freezer space at the reception venue, it’s difficult to organise replenishments for the buffet.
Brands and retailers to compare
Magnum
Magnum France offers a Mini Classic, Almond and White Chocolate assortment in a pack of 6 × 55 ml.
- This mini box contains three flavours.
- Check each recipe: another product, Mini Double Chocolate, warns that it may contain soya and almonds.
Carrefour
Carrefour’s range includes ice lollies and ice cream bars, including a Carrefour Classic’ product with 12 ice lollies.
- The number of pieces shown makes it easier to work out your portions.
- Check the flavours and product available at your chosen shop or for click and collect.
E.Leclerc
E.Leclerc’s Marque Repère range includes an assortment of 20 Smicy ice lollies.
- This pack size gives you a useful guide for counting portions for a large buffet.
- Check the flavours, ingredients and pack size of the product you choose.
Auchan
Auchan offers a vanilla and chocolate assortment of 12 ice lollies, weighing 450 g in total.
- With 12 pieces in the box, you can calculate how many you need based on your planned portions.
- The product information for this assortment lists milk, hazelnuts and soya: check the label before offering it to guests with allergies.
Lidl
Lidl France has an ice cream category in its frozen food range.
- This category can help you find products to look out for in store.
- To plan your buffet, check the number of pieces, flavours and ingredients on the products available.
ALDI
ALDI France offers, among other products, a 429 g box of 12 Mucci mini ice lollies.
- The 12-piece pack makes it easier to calculate mini portions.
- Check the flavours and information on the box available when you shop.
Ice lollies and ice cream bars on Joybuy
These products let you compare individual portions for your buffet: mango sorbet, fruity flavours, a mini assortment and ice cream bars. Choose according to the number of pieces, the flavours you want and the information on each pack.
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PEPPA PIG strawberry and vanilla ice lollies, 6 × 60 ml
Offer two flavours in individual portions: the box contains six 60 ml ice lollies. Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging you’ll have at the buffet.
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POP FRUIT Sorbet Sticks 100% Mango, x4, 280 g
For mango sorbet portions, this pack contains four ice lollies and weighs 280 g in total. Check the label for this product before offering it to guests with allergies.
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Binggrae Melona Melon Ice Bar, 8 × 70 ml
Serve melon flavour in individual portions: the pack contains eight 70 ml ice lollies. Keep the packaging handy so you can check the ingredients and storage instructions.
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Magnum Mini Classic, Almond and White Chocolate, x6, 254 g
Give guests a choice of three flavours in mini portions: this box contains six pieces and weighs 254 g in total. Check the ingredients for each flavour, especially if any guests have nut allergies.
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MAGNUM Vanilla Almond ice cream bars x8, 600 g
Offer vanilla and almond ice cream bars: the pack contains eight pieces and weighs 600 g in total. Check the label before serving this product to guests with allergies.
Frequently asked questions
What should you check on the packaging before the buffet?
Check the ingredients, allergens and storage instructions for every product you plan to serve. For pre-packed foods sold in France, the DGCCRF says allergens must be highlighted; keep the boxes accessible during service so you can check the recipe in question.
Can you take all the ice lollies out at the start of the reception?
It’s better to replenish the buffet from cold storage and follow the storage instructions on the packaging. The French Ministry of Agriculture stresses the importance of maintaining the cold chain; it gives −18 °C as the benchmark temperature for frozen storage.
How do you work out how many boxes you’ll need for your guests?
Decide how many portions you want to serve, divide that number by the number of ice lollies shown on your chosen box, then round up to the next whole box. Add whatever extra serving allowance you think you’ll need separately; the total weight can’t replace the piece count for this calculation.