If you’re serving ice lollies to a group, first decide how many you need and how large each portion should be. Mini lollies are ideal for smaller portions, while larger ones make a more substantial dessert to enjoy at home. For a lunchbox, individual portions still need to be kept cold and stored as directed. If you’d like to choose the ingredients yourself, moulds let you make your own, but you’ll need time and space in the freezer.
The number of lollies should match the number of people you’re serving, while their size should suit the occasion. Assortments and mini formats also make it easier to think about portions and flavours before choosing a pack.
A small portion can be convenient to hand out, but that doesn’t make it safe to transport without taking precautions. If you’re eating away from home, follow the storage instructions and keep the lollies cold. The DGCCRF also highlights the importance of maintaining the cold chain when transporting frozen food.
Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product before serving. If you mainly want to choose the ingredients for homemade ice lollies, moulds offer a different solution from a ready-to-serve multipack.
Your choice depends first on when the ice lollies will be served: at home, after being transported or after making them yourself. The number of lollies alone won’t tell you how large the portions are, what the recipe contains or how the product needs to be stored.
Choose these: for handing out smaller portions at a snack time or sharing several lollies.
Bear in mind: “mini” tells you nothing about the ingredients or transport requirements.
Choose these: for dessert at home, when larger portions suit the people you’re serving.
Bear in mind: their size doesn’t make them better suited to a lunchbox or to everyone’s needs.
Choose these: when making your own recipe and deciding on portion sizes matter more than having lollies ready to serve.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to allow time for preparation and freezing, and clean the moulds afterwards.
| Factor | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Number and size of portions | Compare the number of lollies with the pack’s net weight, and check the weight of each lolly if it’s stated. | If I’m serving several people, I need enough lollies without assuming every format is the same size. Around 42% of consumers prioritise sharing. |
| Transport and storage | Read the product instructions and plan how you’ll keep it cold during the journey. | If I’m preparing a portion to eat away from home later, I need to be able to store it correctly until it’s time to serve. This is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Recipe and allergens | Check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack; if you’re making your own, check how many moulds are included. | Before serving, I want to know exactly what’s in the product or choose the ingredients for my own recipe. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this. |
Even a small portion must be stored according to the product instructions. The DGCCRF reminds consumers that the cold chain also matters when food is being transported.
If you’re heading out or packing a lunchbox, check the packaging and plan how to keep the lollies cold before choosing a format.
Two packs of the same size may contain lollies that differ in size and recipe. So the number of lollies alone isn’t enough to plan what to serve.
Also check the net weight, portion sizes and flavours included in the pack.
Ingredients can vary from one product to another, even within the same brand. Similar-looking packaging is no substitute for checking the ingredients.
Check the allergens and any ‘may contain’ information on the specific pack you’re planning to serve.
Moulds let you make your own recipe, but they don’t come with portions that are already frozen.
Choose this option if making the lollies is part of the plan. Otherwise, pick a multipack that suits the number of people you’re serving.
Allow time for freezing, space in the freezer and time to clean the moulds.
These examples give you an idea of the formats available, but you should still check the packaging of the product you choose.
The range includes mini ice lollies, such as the Mini Utopia Double Hazelnut x6 featured by Magnum France.
The retailer offers ice lollies and frozen bars across several ranges.
The retailer offers mini and large ice lollies, as well as frozen bars.
ALDI’s own brand includes frozen desserts sold in packs of ice lollies.
The retailer has a range of frozen products, with offers available to view once you’ve selected a supermarket.
The retailer also sells equipment for making ice lollies at home, including a Fackelmann set of five moulds.
These packs of ice lollies and ice pops are designed for individual portions, especially at home. If you’re taking them out, check each product’s instructions and plan how to keep it cold.
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This pack of 12 is a good choice if you’re planning to hand out individual portions at a snack time.
If you’re transporting the lollies or serving anyone with allergies, check the instructions and information on the specific pack.
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This pack of 12 lets you offer a group a choice of flavours.
Before serving anyone with allergies, check the ingredients of the exact product. You should also follow its storage instructions.
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This pack of six mini lollies is worth considering if you’re serving smaller portions at home.
If the ingredients matter to the people you’re serving, check the ingredients, allergens and storage instructions on this specific pack.
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With eight 70 ml portions, it’s easy to choose a suitable number of lollies for your group.
Check the label for ingredients and any information relevant to children, and follow the storage instructions if you plan to transport them.
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This pack of four is a good fit for a small group, with one lolly for each person.
Before serving, check the allergens for this recipe on the packaging and follow the storage instructions.
A standard lunchbox isn’t enough on its own. You need to follow the product’s storage instructions and keep it cold during transport. The DGCCRF reminds consumers that the cold chain must also be maintained at this stage, so check the pack before planning to eat the lollies away from home.
Check the ingredients, listed allergens and any ‘may contain’ information on the packaging of the exact product. The flavour or ingredients of another product from the same brand won’t tell you what’s in the pack you’ve chosen.
Follow the instructions on the pack you’ve bought. Auchan’s listing for the POUCE large ice lolly pack says never to refreeze a thawed product. It also states that this product should be kept in the freezer at −18 °C; don’t assume the same instructions apply to another pack.
Choose moulds if you’d like to make your own recipe and decide on the portion sizes, allowing time for preparation and freezing. For example, E.Leclerc lists a Fackelmann set of five ice lolly moulds. These aren’t a substitute for a pack of ready-made ice lollies.