People preparing several lunches
Individual portions make it easier to share between several people. Magnum France and Carrefour France each list a pack of six mini sticks; you can only transport them in lunchboxes if they’ll stay frozen.
Who are these formats for?
People keeping an eye on how much they use
The number of sticks and the net weight can help you choose a box that matches the portions you need. The formats listed by ALDI France and E.Leclerc don’t all contain the same number of pieces or weigh the same.
People checking allergens and transport requirements
The exact recipe matters just as much as the format: Carrefour France’s mini chocolate and almond product contains milk, almonds and soya. For the journey, the DGCCRF recommends limiting the time frozen food is in transit and using an insulated bag.
What should you look for before choosing?
If you’re sharing, start by working out how many portions you need, then consider their size and the flavours on offer. If the ice lollies will be out of the freezer before lunchtime, storage instructions and transport conditions are crucial.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Sharing out portions | Count how many sticks you need and check the volume or weight per piece, if provided. | If I’m preparing several lunches, I want to give everyone a whole portion; around 27% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
| How much you’ll actually use | Compare the number of pieces with the net weight and the portions you plan to use. | If I only need a few treats, I’d prefer a box with the right number of portions for me; this would be the main consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
| Flavours and sharing | Check whether the box contains one flavour or an assortment, and how many pieces there are of each type. | When sharing a box, I want to know whether everyone will like the flavours; around 27% of consumers would prioritise this. |
| Allergens and keeping things cold | Read the information on the exact box you’re buying and make sure the product will stay frozen during transport. | If a recipe needs to suit a particular person or be taken along before a meal, I check its ingredients and storage instructions; around 26% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Packing an ice lolly in a lunchbox without a way to keep it cold
An ice lolly needs to stay frozen until you eat it. The DGCCRF advises buying frozen food at the end of your shopping trip, keeping transport time to a minimum and putting it in the freezer as soon as you get home.
If you’re taking one for lunch away from home, first check how you can follow the storage instructions on the packaging. Otherwise, keep the ice lollies in the freezer for another time.
You may need an insulated bag and a plan to keep the product frozen during the journey.
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Assuming a mini stick is suitable for everyone
The size doesn’t tell you what’s in it. Carrefour France says its mini vanilla, chocolate and almond product contains milk, almonds and soya.
Check the ingredients, highlighted allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the exact box you’re buying, even if you already know the brand.
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Planning to share a specific product without checking it’s available locally
Assortments can vary from store to store; ALDI France, for example, listed a six-stick MUCCI almond product as unavailable.
Check which product your store has before relying on its number of pieces or flavours for the lunches you’re planning.
Brands to know for these formats
Magnum
Magnum France lists Mini Classic in a box of 6 × 55 ml. Auchan France also lists a Magnum pack of six mini sticks weighing 264 g.
- The number of pieces and the volume of each Mini Classic make it easier to choose a set portion size.
- Ingredients and allergens vary by product, so check the box you’ve chosen rather than assuming the information for one assortment applies to another.
Carrefour Extra
Carrefour France describes a 237 g box of six mini vanilla, chocolate and almond sticks.
- The six pieces can be shared without having to break any of the sticks.
- This recipe contains milk, almonds and soya; this information shouldn’t be assumed to apply to other Carrefour Extra products.
MUCCI®
ALDI France lists a MUCCI® pack of twelve mini sticks, weighing 429 g.
- The number of pieces can work well when you need to plan several individual portions.
- Check the assortment and availability at your local store; another MUCCI® product, a pack of six almond sticks, was listed as unavailable.
TRIUM
E.Leclerc lists TRIUM vanilla, milk chocolate and almond sticks in its Marque Repère range. The box contains four sticks and weighs 314 g.
- A box of four offers a different option from packs of six or twelve mini sticks when planning portions.
- Check the ingredients and allergens on the exact product before sharing it.
Joybuy products to suit the format you’re looking for
This selection includes packs of six mini sticks, packs of four ice cream sticks, packs of twelve ice lollies and packs of four sorbet lollies. Choose based on the number of portions and type of frozen dessert you want, then check the storage instructions if you’re taking them along for lunch away from home.
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Magnum Mini Classic, 6 × 55 ml
Share these six mini portions between several people. Each stick is listed as 55 ml; if you’re taking them for lunch, make sure they’re stored as directed on the packaging.
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Magnum Mini Classic, Almond and White Chocolate, x6, 254 g
This assortment of six mini sticks is a good choice if you’re looking for a range of flavours to share. It includes Classic, Almond and White Chocolate, with a total weight of 254 g; the Joybuy listing states that it contains milk and may contain nuts.
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Magnum White Chocolate and Almond, 4 × 100 ml
This pack is for anyone planning four portions rather than six mini sticks. Each piece is listed as 100 ml; check the allergens on the exact box before sharing.
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CAPRI-SUN Orange and Cherry, x12, 444 g
These ice lollies are another type of frozen treat to share between several people. The box contains twelve pieces and weighs 444 g in total; check the packaging information before sharing or transporting them.
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POP FRUIT Sorbet Sticks 100% Coconut, x4, 280 g
This pack of four sorbet lollies gives you four portions of a frozen dessert that’s different from coated ice cream sticks. The total weight is listed as 280 g; check the ingredients and storage instructions on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep an ice lolly in a lunchbox until lunchtime?
Only if you can keep it frozen in line with the storage instructions on the packaging. For transporting frozen food, the DGCCRF recommends using an insulated bag and minimising the time it spends out of the freezer. If you can’t keep it frozen until lunchtime, pack a different dessert instead.
How can I spot allergens on a box of ice lollies?
Read the ingredients list on the exact product you’re buying: the DGCCRF says allergenic ingredients must be highlighted. Also check for any ‘may contain’ warnings, as two flavours or assortments from the same brand can have different ingredients.
Is a chocolate and almond stick suitable for someone with a nut allergy?
Don’t rely on the product name or brand alone: check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings for the exact product. Carrefour France says its Extra Mini vanilla, chocolate and almond product contains almonds; information for another recipe can’t tell you whether this one is suitable.