For a birthday party, first work out how many ice lollies you’ll need, then check the flavours and allergens in each box. An assortment gives guests a choice, while buying several boxes of the same flavour works well if you already know what everyone likes. Whatever format you choose, plan how you’ll keep them frozen in transit and get them into a freezer quickly. A lunchbox is only suitable if it can maintain the temperature required by the product.
If you’re planning a birthday party, work out how many portions you’ll need before choosing the flavours. The number of ice lollies in each box is more useful for planning how to serve them than the pack’s total weight.
An assortment lets you offer a choice of flavours, but check each product separately if a guest avoids certain ingredients. Carrefour and Joybuy product listings flag milk, soya, almonds or possible traces of other allergens, depending on the product.
A small ice lolly can be handy as an individual treat, provided it’s transported and stored according to the product’s instructions. The Directorate General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) reminds consumers that the cold chain must also be maintained during transport.
To plan how you’ll serve them, start with the number of guests, then check the flavours and allergens, and make sure you can keep the boxes frozen until it’s time to enjoy them.
| What to consider | What to check | Who should consider it? |
|---|---|---|
| Number of portions | Count the ice lollies in each box and, if portion size matters, check the quantity per lolly. | When I’m serving several guests, I want to be able to plan a portion for everyone without relying on the pack’s total weight. Around 42% of consumers would make this sharing requirement a priority. |
| Flavours and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information for each product, including any ‘may contain’ warnings. | If tastes differ or a guest needs to avoid an ingredient, I look for flavours I can identify clearly. Around 33% of consumers would make this a priority. |
| Keeping them frozen | Check the temperature stated on the packaging and whether you can maintain it during the journey, while waiting and in storage. | If I’m serving them later or packing one in a lunchbox, I need to be able to store the ice lollies at the required temperature until they’re ready to eat. Around 25% of consumers would prioritise this requirement. |
Two packs of a similar weight can contain different numbers of ice lollies. For a party, counting the portions is the best place to start when planning how many to serve.
Count how many you’ll need, then check the quantity per lolly if you want to compare portion sizes.
Ice lollies that look similar can have different recipes and allergen information. Products listed by Carrefour and Joybuy may contain milk, soya or almonds, or carry warnings about possible traces of nuts, depending on the box.
Read the label on the product you buy. If someone has an allergy, plan a separate option that meets their requirements.
An ordinary lunchbox can’t guarantee that a frozen product will stay at its required storage temperature for several hours.
Check that your chosen way of transporting it can maintain the temperature shown on the box for the entire journey. If it can’t, save the ice lolly for a time when you have access to a freezer.
You may need an insulated bag and ice packs for the journey, but you’ll still need to check that the required temperature is maintained.
Leaving them out of the freezer for too long can break the cold chain. The DGCCRF reminds consumers that it must be maintained after purchase, including during transport.
Pick up the ice lollies at the end of your shop, put them in the freezer as soon as possible and only take out as many as you’re ready to serve.
Mini ice lolly assortments let you offer several flavours from one box. Auchan lists a 6-piece Classic, Almond and White Chocolate assortment, while Carrefour also offers a 10-piece pack.
Carrefour lists an assortment of 8 mini ice lollies, each weighing 32 g. It’s worth considering if the number of individual portions is important when planning your party.
Auchan’s mini ice lolly assortment contains 8 pieces and weighs 258 g. Compare this sharing pack with the other portion sizes available in the freezer aisle.
ALDI France lists a MUCCI pack of 12 mini ice lollies, which is worth comparing if you’re looking for lots of smaller portions.
These packs of eight include boxes of one flavour and an assortment of sorbets. For a birthday party, compare the flavours and portion sizes before checking the allergens and storage instructions for each product.
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Serve eight portions of the same flavour, if your guests like melon.
The product listing states that it contains milk and should be stored at −18 °C or below. Check the label if a guest needs to avoid an ingredient.
The listing includes a warning about the colour E102 for children. Check this before choosing this product for a children’s party.
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Share eight vanilla and almond ice cream bars among guests who enjoy this flavour.
Each bar is individually wrapped. The product listing states that they contain milk and almonds, and may contain other nuts. Check the exact product details if anyone has an allergy.
The listing also warns that small pieces of almond may pose a choking risk to young children. Store at −18 °C or below.
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Offer a choice of two sorbet flavours in eight mini portions instead of just one flavour.
The product listing warns that it may contain traces of gluten, eggs, peanuts, soya, milk, nuts, mustard and sulphites. Check the label before serving to anyone who needs to avoid these allergens.
Store at −18 °C or below. Do not refreeze once thawed.
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Serve eight portions of the same flavour if your guests fancy coconut.
If a guest needs to avoid an ingredient, check the full ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging. The product listing says to store below −18 °C.
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Serve eight portions of the same flavour if you’d like to offer Purple Yam, made with ube.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging before serving to anyone who needs to avoid certain ingredients. The product listing says to store at −18 °C.
The listing includes a warning about the colour E129 for children. Check this before choosing this product for a children’s party.
Start with the number of people you’d like to serve an ice lolly to, then adjust the total if you’re offering other desserts or want guests to have a choice of a second flavour. Count the individual lollies rather than just the boxes: Carrefour, Auchan and ALDI France all list packs with different numbers of ice lollies, depending on the product.
Not necessarily. Some products listed by Carrefour and Joybuy contain almonds or carry a warning about possible traces of other nuts. Check the label on the box you buy and follow the advice of the person with the allergy.
Yes, but only if your chosen solution can maintain the product’s required storage temperature for the entire time. The DGCCRF reminds consumers that the cold chain must be maintained during transport. The Joybuy listing for the 254 g Magnum mini assortment says to store at −18 °C or below.
Follow the instructions for the product in question. The Joybuy listing for the 254 g Magnum mini assortment says not to refreeze it once thawed. Putting it back in the freezer won’t make up for failing to maintain the cold chain during transport and serving.