Hosts serving a group
If everyone is to have an ice lolly, count your guests before choosing a box. Multipacks of 8 to 12 lollies from Carrefour and E.Leclerc give you a range of sizes to compare with your guest list.
Who are these formats for?
Groups with different tastes
An assortment lets you offer a few different recipes, as long as they’re suitable for everyone there. Read the ingredients and allergen information for each variety before sharing the multipack.
People transporting ice lollies
If the patio is a long way from where you’re shopping, plan your journey before choosing your lollies. Anses recommends buying frozen food at the end of your shop and using an insulated bag to transport it.
What should you look for?
Large multipack of ice lollies
Choose this: if you want to plan for one ice lolly per person and know how many guests are coming.
Bear in mind: a box with just one flavour offers less choice for a group with different tastes.
Assortment of mini ice lollies
Choose this: for smaller portions and a choice of flavours.
Bear in mind: if a box contains several recipes, you’ll need to check the ingredients in each one.
Multipack of fruit-flavoured ice lollies
Choose this: if your guests prefer fruity flavours to chocolate coatings.
Bear in mind: a flavour name or the word “sorbet” is no substitute for checking the ingredients and allergen information.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Portions to share | The number of ice lollies and whether the box contains more than one flavour. | If I’m serving the whole group, I want everyone to be able to have a portion. Around 36% of consumers prioritise the number of portions. |
| Keeping them cold in transit | Whether you can carry the ice lollies in an insulated bag and put them back in the freezer or serve them promptly. | If I’m heading to a patio after shopping, I need to keep the ice lollies cold on the way. Keeping them cold comes first for around 29% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and flavours | The ingredients list and allergen information for each variety in the multipack. | If guests have different preferences or need to avoid certain ingredients, I check each recipe before sharing. Around 21% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Portion size | Whether they’re mini or standard size, and the quantity shown on the box, as well as the number of pieces. | If I’m planning a tasting rather than an individual dessert, I want to tell smaller and larger portions apart. For around 14% of consumers, portion size is the main consideration. |
Two mistakes to avoid
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Assuming an assortment is suitable for everyone with an allergy
Different recipes in the same box may contain different ingredients. An Auchan assortment listing, for example, mentions milk and soya.
Check the packaging of the exact multipack and look at each variety if anyone has an allergy. France’s Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control reminds shoppers that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted on food labels.
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Using an ordinary lunch box for the journey
A lunch box that isn’t insulated won’t keep frozen ice lollies at the right temperature. Planning to serve them on a patio doesn’t mean you can skip arranging cold transport.
Follow Anses recommendations: buy frozen food at the end of your shop, carry it in an insulated bag and minimise the time before putting it back in the freezer or serving it.
Brands to consider, depending on the format you’re looking for
Magnum
Chocolate-coated ice lollies and mini assortments to consider if you want to offer a choice of recipes.
- Carrefour offers a multipack of 8 Magnum ice lollies, while Auchan offers an assortment of 10 mini lollies.
- Check the number of pieces, varieties and allergens in the multipack you choose: these products aren’t interchangeable.
Carrefour Classic’ et Carrefour Extra
Carrefour ranges that include standard ice lollies, as well as mini and assorted formats.
- Carrefour offers a Classic’ multipack of 12 ice lollies, among other options.
- Check the size and ingredients of the product you’re considering rather than choosing by the number of lollies alone.
Auchan
An assortment of 8 mini ice lollies for groups who want a few different recipes in one box.
- Auchan’s product listing identifies the varieties in this assortment.
- It mentions milk and soya, among other ingredients. Check the labelling for each variety if anyone has an allergy.
Marque Repère : SMICY et TRIUM
E.Leclerc products that include vanilla ice lollies and multipacks of sorbet lollies.
- E.Leclerc offers SMICY vanilla ice lollies in a pack of 12, as well as a multipack of 10 orange and lemon sorbet lollies.
- Check availability of the product you want with your local E.Leclerc store or its drive-through service before relying on it for your get-together.
MUCCI
An ALDI ice cream range that includes multipacks of mini ice lollies.
- ALDI offers a MUCCI multipack of 12 mini ice lollies, among other options.
- Check the product and its format at the store where you plan to buy it.
Ice lolly multipacks available on Joybuy
This selection includes fruit-flavoured ice lollies, an assortment of mini lollies and a box with a single flavour. To choose what to serve on the patio, compare the number of pieces with the portions you’ll need, then check the labelling and storage instructions.
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ABC JELLY Fruity Jelly Bar Assorted
A selection of fruit-flavoured lollies to consider if you’d like to offer a variety of tastes. Remember to freeze them before serving and check the quantity on the packaging before comparing formats.
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CAPRI-SUN Orange & Cherry Ice Pops, pack of 12, 444 g
A pack of 12 orange and cherry ice lollies, with plenty to go round. Check the allergen information on the exact packaging and keep the product frozen until you’re ready to serve it.
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Maison de la Glace Water Ice Pops, 5 flavours, pack of 12, 1 200 g
Twelve ice lollies in five flavours give your group a choice. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack before sharing, and keep the lollies frozen.
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Magnum Mini Classic, Almond & White Chocolate, pack of 6, 254 g
An assortment of six mini ice lollies for smaller portions and a choice of flavours. If everyone needs one, count your guests before buying and check the allergens in each variety.
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Binggrae Melona Banana Ice Cream Bar, 8 × 70 ml
Eight banana ice lollies suit a group looking for a single flavour. Check that there are enough portions and read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How many ice lollies should you plan for a get-together on the patio?
Start by counting your guests and deciding whether everyone will have an ice lolly or whether they’ll be one of several options. If you’re planning one per person, compare the total with the number of pieces shown on the box. Carrefour and E.Leclerc offer multipacks of 8, 10 or 12, depending on the product.
Does an assortment of mini ice lollies always make sharing easier?
It gives people a choice of flavours and smaller portions, but may not be suitable if you need one ice lolly for every guest. Check the number of pieces, their size and the ingredients in each variety.
What should you check if someone in the group has an allergy?
Read the labelling on the exact multipack and check every variety in an assortment before sharing it. In France, the Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control reminds shoppers that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted on food labels. Don’t assume they’re absent based on a flavour name alone.
Is a lunch box enough to carry ice lollies?
An ordinary lunch box won’t keep frozen ice lollies at the right temperature during your journey. Anses recommends buying frozen food at the end of your shop and using an insulated bag to transport it. You should also plan to put the lollies in the freezer or serve them as soon as you arrive.