Anyone organising a group Easter egg hunt
If every participant is to receive an ice lolly, count the portions before choosing a box. Carrefour, Auchan and E.Leclerc offer packs of between 6 and 20, depending on the product.
Who are these sizes for?
Parents preparing lunchboxes
A mini ice lolly may be just the small portion you’re looking for, while a mixed box lets you choose from several flavours. However, you’ll need to be able to keep the ice lollies as instructed until they’re ready to eat.
Anyone who needs to check the ingredients
If you have an allergy or dietary preference to consider, check the ingredients for every recipe in the pack, along with any ‘may contain’ warnings. A fruity flavour doesn’t tell you everything about what’s in an ice lolly.
What should you look for?
When handing out ice lollies to a group, start with the number of people. You can then compare portion sizes, ingredients and flavours. For a lunchbox, you’ll also need to be able to store the ice lolly as directed on the packaging.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Number of ice lollies | Count the individual ice lollies and compare the total with the number of people, allowing for any extra you’d like to have. | I want to be able to give everyone an ice lolly without opening another box partway through handing them out; around 31% of consumers would prioritise the number of portions. |
| Portion size | Check the weight or volume given for each ice lolly, and whether it’s a standard or mini size. | For a small snack, I’d rather know the size of each ice lolly than just how much is in the box; around 25% of consumers would prioritise portion size. |
| Dietary suitability | Read the ingredients and allergen information for each flavour on the pack you’ve bought, including any ‘may contain’ warnings. | If someone has an allergy, I need to check the ingredients before offering them an ice lolly; this would be the main criterion for around 25% of consumers. |
| Flavour choice | Check which flavours are actually included and, where specified, how many ice lollies there are of each type. | When people in the group have different preferences, I want to offer a choice of flavours rather than assume everyone will like the same one; around 19% of consumers would put variety first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Using the box weight to work out how many portions there are
An SMICY mixed box listed by E.Leclerc contains 20 sticks and weighs 850 g, while other products come in packs of 6, 8, 10 or 12 ice lollies. So the total weight alone won’t tell you how many people can have one.
Work out how many people are taking part, then check the number of ice lollies shown on each pack.
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Assuming a fruity flavour means there are no allergens
Some fruit ice lollies listed by Auchan contain milk or carry warnings that they may contain other allergens. The flavour is no substitute for reading the label.
If someone has an allergy, check the ingredients and ‘may contain’ warnings for the exact product, and keep the packaging handy when serving.
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Letting the ice lollies warm up during transport
Anses recommends buying frozen foods at the end of your shop and transporting them in an insulated bag. You should then follow the storage and refreezing instructions for each product.
Plan how you’ll get the ice lollies to the freezer or serving area before you buy them, and check the instructions on the box.
Transport means planning ahead: you’ll need insulated equipment and access to suitable storage if you’re not serving the ice lollies straight away.
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Checking just one flavour in a mixed box
Different recipes in the same mixed box may have different ingredients. Magnum’s product information for its Almond and Double Hazelnut mini ice lollies, for example, lists nuts, depending on the recipe.
If you don’t know whether anyone taking part has an allergy, check with them or their carers before handing out the ice lollies.
Brands to know when comparing sizes
Magnum
The range includes chocolate-coated mini ice lollies, sold individually or in mixed boxes. The number of ice lollies varies by product and retailer.
- Worth a look if you’re after smaller portions or a choice of recipes in one box.
- Magnum and Auchan product information lists milk and, depending on the recipe, nuts or possible traces of nuts. Check every flavour.
Carrefour Classic' / Carrefour Extra
Carrefour’s range includes Classic' ice lollies in a pack of 12 and a Carrefour Extra assortment of mini ice lollies in a pack of 8.
- Two different sizes to consider, depending on whether the number of portions or their smaller size matters most.
- Check the ingredients for the exact product before giving it to someone with dietary requirements.
Auchan
Auchan offers vanilla ice lollies in a pack of 12 and fruit ice lollies in a pack of 8, in separate sizes.
- These products let you compare a 12-pack with an 8-pack of fruit ice lollies.
- The product information for the fruit ice lollies lists milk and possible traces of other allergens. ‘Fruit’ doesn’t mean ‘allergen-free’.
Marque Repère / SMICY
E.Leclerc offers an SMICY assortment of 20 sticks, weighing 850 g.
- The number of ice lollies is a useful guide when planning to hand them out to a group.
- Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact assortment before choosing which ice lollies to serve.
Oasis
The So Fruiz product listed by Auchan contains 10 fruit-flavoured ice lollies and weighs 282 g.
- Its 10-pack can be compared with the number of portions you’re planning for your group.
- The product information lists milk and possible traces of gluten, egg, peanuts, soya and nuts.
Multipacks to explore on Joybuy
These products include a pack of 12 fruit-flavoured ice lollies and several Magnum Mini packs of 6. Compare the number of ice lollies and their recipes depending on whether you’re planning to serve a group or offer smaller portions. For a lunchbox, you’ll need to be able to follow the storage instructions until it’s time to eat.
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CAPRI-SUN Orange & Cherry Ice Pops x12, 444 g
This pack of 12 ice lollies may suit you if you’re planning to hand one out to several people.
If anyone has an allergy, check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the packaging.
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Magnum Mini Classic, Almond and White Chocolate x6, 254 g
This assortment of six mini ice lollies gives you a choice of smaller portions and different flavours. If you have a larger group, work out how many boxes you’ll need.
If anyone has an allergy, check the ingredients for each recipe, particularly for milk and nuts.
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Magnum Mini Classic, 6 x 55 ml
This pack contains six mini portions of the same flavour, rather than a selection of different flavours.
Before serving it to anyone with an allergy, check the information about milk and almonds on the exact product packaging.
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MAGNUM Mini Deluxe Caramel x6, 330 g
With six mini ice lollies, this pack gives you one individual portion per person for a small group.
The recipe lists milk and may contain soya or nuts. Check the storage instructions on the box too.
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Magnum Double Billionaire's Mini x6, 282 g
This pack of six mini ice lollies gives you six individual portions. You’ll need more boxes for a larger group.
The recipe lists milk and may contain soya or nuts. Check the ingredients and storage instructions on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
How many ice lollies should I get for an Easter egg hunt?
Allow for at least one portion per person, then decide whether you’d like a few spares or a second option. Carrefour, Auchan and E.Leclerc offer multipacks with different numbers of ice lollies, so check how many are in the box you choose rather than relying on its total weight.
Is a fruit ice lolly always suitable for someone with a milk allergy?
No. The Auchan fruit ice lollies and Oasis So Fruiz products listed by Auchan contain milk. Their product information also flags possible traces of other allergens. Always check the packaging of the product you’ve bought before offering it to someone with an allergy.
What should I check on a multipack label?
Check the ingredients, allergen information, nutritional details, quantity and storage instructions for the product you’ve chosen. For pre-packed food sold in France, the Direction générale de la concurrence, de la consommation et de la répression des fraudes says that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted on the label.
How should I transport ice lollies to the Easter egg hunt?
Buy frozen food at the end of your shop and use an insulated bag, following Anses guidance on keeping food cold. Then store the ice lollies according to the packaging instructions until you’re ready to serve them.
Can you refreeze ice lollies once they’ve thawed?
Follow the instructions for the product you’ve bought. The Auchan product information for its pack of 12 vanilla ice lollies and a Magnum listing on Joybuy both say not to refreeze the product after thawing. If the ice lollies have thawed during transport, don’t assume it’s safe to put them back in the freezer.