Choose chocolate ice lollies for a dessert to enjoy together, provided you can keep them frozen on the way and put them in the freezer as soon as you arrive. If you’ll be giving the gift later or taking it somewhere without a freezer, consider a separate box of chocolates instead, checking its ingredients and storage instructions.
If you have a freezer where you’ll be enjoying them, choose the number of ice lollies to suit your guests and plan how to keep them frozen on the way. A pack to serve after a meal has different requirements from a gift to be given later.
If you don’t know when the recipient will be able to put their gift in the freezer, consider the difference between a frozen dessert and a box of chocolates. For a chocolate gift box, check the ingredients and storage instructions on the specific product.
The exact recipe matters more than the word “chocolate” alone: milk, soya, nuts and other allergens can vary from one product to another. Check the ingredients and any “may contain” statements on the packaging of the product you buy.
For Valentine’s Day, first decide whether you want to serve a frozen dessert or give a gift to be enjoyed later. Then compare the format, recipe and allergens to choose between products in each category.
Choose these if: you’ll be serving dessert at home or at someone’s place where there’s a freezer.
Plan ahead: organise the journey and make sure the lollies can be put back in the freezer promptly. Choose a pack with enough for your guests.
Choose this if: you want a gift to give later without relying on the recipient having a freezer.
Check: the storage instructions, date and allergens for the specific box before giving it as a gift.
| Consideration | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping it frozen on the way | For ice lollies, plan how to keep them frozen during transport and make sure there’s a freezer at your destination. Check the temperature stated on the pack. | I want to serve a frozen dessert after a meal without leaving it out of the freezer. Around 40% of consumers would put being able to store it straight away at the top of their list. |
| A gift to give | If the gift won’t be enjoyed straight away, consider a separate box of chocolates and check its storage instructions. | I want to be able to give my gift later without relying on the recipient having a freezer. For around 30% of consumers, being able to give the gift easily would be the priority. |
| Allergens | Check the ingredients and any “may contain” statements for the exact product, whether it’s a box of chocolates or ice lollies. | Before choosing a recipe, I need to know whether its ingredients and any possible traces are suitable for the recipient. This would be the first thing around 30% of consumers check. |
Packaging them for the occasion doesn’t change the requirements for a frozen product. The DGCCRF warns that a rise in temperature can compromise food safety.
Before buying ice lollies, decide when they’ll be eaten and make sure there’ll be access to a freezer. Otherwise, consider a box of chocolates and check its storage instructions.
Ingredients and possible traces vary between recipes. The ice lolly product listings from Auchan and Carrefour show different ingredient make-ups.
Check the ingredients and any “may contain” statements on the exact box, especially if milk, soya, nuts, peanuts, wheat or eggs are a concern.
The number of lollies doesn’t tell you how much ice cream there is to share. The DGCCRF explains that the amount of air incorporated can affect the weight, even when the volume is the same.
Compare the net weight, number of lollies and portion size, then choose the recipe you prefer.
These products give you a way to compare frozen dessert recipes and pack sizes; they aren’t boxes of chocolates to give as a gift.
Auchan’s listing for Magnum Intense Dark describes three ice lollies weighing 222 g in total, with a dark chocolate coating said to contain 70% cocoa.
Auchan lists a pack of four vanilla and chocolate ice lollies, with a net weight of 260 g.
Carrefour’s listing describes an assortment of twelve vanilla and chocolate, and chocolate ice lollies, weighing 450 g in total.
Auchan lists a 260 g pack of four vanilla ice lollies coated in chocolate and hazelnuts.
These products are for anyone choosing a frozen dessert for Valentine’s Day, rather than a box of chocolates to give as a gift. Compare the number of portions and the recipe, then check the storage instructions and allergens on the packaging.
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A pack of four for serving a chocolatey frozen dessert to several guests.
If milk or soya is a concern, check the allergen information on the pack. Keep the lollies frozen during transport and put them back in the freezer as soon as you arrive.
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This pack of eight is a good option for a frozen dessert with several portions. The vanilla and almond recipe isn’t a chocolate ice cream.
Check the allergens on the pack if milk or nuts are a concern, and read the storage instructions before transporting it.
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Four portions for a frozen dessert. The words “Chocolate & Cookies” aren’t enough to tell you what flavour the ice cream itself is.
Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging, especially if milk, wheat or soya are a concern. Plan how to keep the lollies frozen on the way.
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A pack of four for guests who’d like a chocolate frozen dessert.
Check the storage temperature on the pack before planning your journey. Also check the information about milk and nuts if these are a concern.
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Three portions for a smaller gathering, if you’re after a mint and chocolate combination rather than an ice cream that’s mainly chocolate-flavoured.
Check the allergens for the product you buy and make sure you can keep it frozen until it goes back in the freezer.
Yes, as long as the recipient can put them in the freezer promptly and you can keep them frozen on the way. Otherwise, choose a separate box of chocolates after checking its ingredients and storage instructions.
Check the product name, ingredients, allergens, net quantity, nutritional information, relevant date and storage instructions. The DGCCRF notes in particular that allergens must be stated in writing and highlighted in the ingredients list.
The net weight helps you judge how much there is to share. According to the DGCCRF, the amount of air incorporated can affect the weight of ice cream products with the same volume. Compare the weight with the number of lollies and portion size instead of relying on one figure alone.
Plan a journey that keeps them frozen, then put the lollies in the freezer as soon as possible. Check the instructions on the pack: Auchan’s listing for the Milka pack mentioned above says −18 °C, but you should follow the temperature specified for the product you buy.