Who are these pack sizes for?

Anyone organising a break for a large team

If everyone should be able to have one, count the individual sticks before choosing a pack. The ranges featured by ALDI and E.Leclerc include assortments of 12 and 20 sticks.

Small teams looking for mini sticks

A box of mini sticks may be enough for a short meeting or a small group. Carrefour features a six-piece Magnum option; check the exact number on the box you choose.

Anyone checking the ingredients

Before offering ice lollies for everyone to help themselves, check the ingredients and allergen information for each product. You can’t tell what’s in a product just from its brand or the flavours listed on the front.

What should you check before choosing?

First, work out how many portions you need, then choose between water ice lollies and coated mini ice creams. Your journey and access to a freezer may determine whether sharing them at work is practical.

What to consider What to check Who this matters to
Number of portions Count the people taking part and the number of sticks listed on the box, rather than relying on the weight alone. For a large team, I want to offer everyone a portion without having to cut anything up; around 31% of consumers would prioritise the number of sticks.
Keeping them frozen Make sure you have access to a freezer and plan suitable transport. Anses recommends using an insulated bag and keeping the journey for frozen foods short. If the break is well after I arrive, I need to be able to keep the ice lollies frozen; around 25% of consumers would prioritise keeping them cold.
Type of frozen treat Choose between water ice lollies and coated mini ice creams, and check which flavours are actually included in the assortment. For this break, I’d rather choose the type of frozen treat my colleagues want to share; around 25% of consumers would put this first.
Ingredients and flavours Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product, and check the flavours if several people will be helping themselves. If I don’t know about all my colleagues’ dietary requirements, I want to be able to show them the label; around 19% of consumers would put this need first.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Assuming a heavier pack means more portions

    Weight and the number of individual sticks aren’t the same thing: the formats featured by Carrefour, ALDI and E.Leclerc include examples with 6, 12 and 20 sticks respectively, in different styles.

    When buying for a group, compare the number of sticks first, then their size and flavours.

  • Sharing an assortment without checking the allergens

    Recipes vary from one product to another. In France, the DGCCRF reminds consumers that allergens must be clearly emphasised on the labels of prepacked foods.

    Check the packaging of the product you buy, and make sure colleagues can read the information when you share it.

  • Planning the break before working out how to store them

    A frozen assortment won’t work for a later break if the sticks can’t be kept frozen. Anses recommends keeping transport time to a minimum and using an insulated bag.

    Check that you can use the office freezer before buying, or plan to serve them as soon as you arrive after transporting them appropriately.

Brands and retailers to consider

These brands and retailers offer a useful guide to pack sizes. Check the exact product to find out what it contains and how many portions it provides.

Magnum

Carrefour and Auchan feature coated mini ice creams and assorted packs among their ranges.

  • The boxes featured include options with 6 and 10 pieces, depending on the product.
  • Check the allergens and number of sticks for the recipe you choose; some products contain milk and may contain nuts.

Carrefour

The retailer features various boxes of Magnum sticks, including one product with six mini sticks.

  • Product listings let you compare pack sizes before choosing.
  • Check the ingredients and number of pieces in the product you choose.

Auchan

The range featured includes mini sticks and assorted packs from different brands.

  • A Magnum assortment of 10 mini sticks is among the products featured.
  • Check the product listing and ingredients for each assortment: flavours and recipes vary.

Marque Repère / SMICY

E.Leclerc features a SMICY assortment of 20 water ice lolly sticks, with a stated weight of 850 g.

  • The assortment includes five flavours, with four sticks of each.
  • These are water ice lollies, not coated mini ice creams.

MUCCI

ALDI France features a 12-piece pack of MUCCI mini sticks, with a stated weight of 429 g.

  • A 12-piece pack is a useful guide when planning a break for a group.
  • Check the flavours and ingredients of the product you choose.

Joybuy products for a break at work

Assorted water ice lollies

A handy choice when you need several individual portions. Check the pack size and flavours to make sure there’s enough for your group.

Coated mini ice creams

Mini portions are easy to share at a short meeting or a smaller team get-together. Check the ingredients and allergen information before serving.

Mixed mini ice cream assortment

An assortment gives colleagues a choice of flavours. Check the number of pieces in the pack and make sure you can keep them frozen until the break.

Frequently asked questions

How many ice lollies should I buy for a break at work?

Start with the number of people taking part and count the sticks in the box. As a guide to pack sizes, Carrefour features a box of six Magnum mini sticks, while E.Leclerc has a SMICY assortment of 20 sticks. Also choose according to the type of frozen treat you’d like and how you’ll keep it frozen.

Do you need a freezer at work?

Yes, if the ice lollies need to wait before being served: they must stay frozen until then. If there’s no freezer, only plan the break if you can serve them straight after transporting them appropriately; Anses recommends keeping the journey short and using an insulated bag.

How can I check allergens before sharing the sticks?

Read the label on the product you’ve bought and leave it where colleagues can see it. The DGCCRF reminds consumers that allergens must be clearly emphasised on prepacked foods; don’t assume that two assortments from the same brand have the same ingredients.