For two to four people, a box of 6 to 8 mini ice lolly sticks may be enough. For a larger group, compare the packs of 10 to 12 featured by Magnum France and retailers Carrefour, Auchan, E.Leclerc and ALDI France. But the number of portions doesn’t solve the problem of transporting them: Anses advises buying frozen food at the end of your shop, using an insulated bag and keeping transport time to a minimum. Check the allergens in each recipe too before choosing an assortment for the whole group.
If there are two, three or four of you, compare boxes of 6 to 8 with the number of travellers who want an ice lolly. Magnum France, Carrefour and Auchan stock packs in this size; check how the flavours are divided up if everyone wants a choice.
An assortment lets you offer several flavours without buying multiple boxes. The chocolate assortments featured by Magnum France and Auchan include varieties with almonds, among others. Check each recipe if anyone in the group needs to avoid an ingredient.
If you can buy the frozen treats last, carry them in an insulated bag and keep the time before serving to a minimum, sharing a box becomes a more practical option. These precautions follow Anses advice on keeping food cold; a larger pack doesn’t make them any less important.
First, decide whether you can keep the ice lollies cold until you’re ready to share them. Then choose the number of sticks and flavours with everyone who’ll be having one in mind.
Worth considering: when more travellers want a portion each and you’ve arranged to keep them cold in transit.
Bear in mind: a bulkier box to carry, and you may have some left over if not everyone wants one.
Worth considering: for a small group who’d like a choice of flavours without buying several boxes.
Bear in mind: the choice of each flavour is limited by what’s in the box, and six sticks may not be enough if more travellers want one.
Worth considering: if you’re unsure how long it’ll be before you eat, or can’t arrange an insulated bag.
Bear in mind: you’ll be giving up on sharing ice lollies with this meal. Don’t assume an equivalent assortment will be available on board.
| Factor | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping them cold in transit | Whether you can buy the frozen treats last, take an insulated bag and keep the time before sharing them to a minimum, in line with Anses advice. | If the time between buying them and having dessert might be longer than expected, I need to be able to keep the ice lollies cold rather than rely on the size of the box. Around 33% of consumers put this need first. |
| Portions and flavours | Number of sticks, how many travellers want one and how the flavours are divided up in the assortment. | When several people want to choose their own flavour, I look for enough sticks to serve them without opening another box. For around 27% of consumers, sharing and variety come first. |
| Ingredients | Ingredients and allergen information on the exact box, for every variety included. | If someone needs to avoid an ingredient, I can’t rely on the flavour name alone when choosing a box to share. This is a priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| How much you’ll actually need | How many sticks the group will really eat and the size of each portion. | To avoid having ice lollies left when it’s time to get off the train, I prefer a box that suits the people who actually want one. Around 20% of consumers prioritise having the right amount. |
Ice lollies are still frozen products, whatever the number of sticks. A box of 12 won’t make up for a long time without keeping them cold.
Buy them last, take an insulated bag and keep the time before serving them to a minimum, as Anses advises. If that isn’t possible on your journey, choose a non-frozen dessert instead.
Some recipes in the chocolate assortments featured by Auchan list milk, soya or almonds. Just because the group likes a flavour doesn’t mean everyone can eat everything in the box.
Read the label on the product you’re buying and take account of the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ information for each variety.
The packs of 6, 8, 10 and 12 featured by the brands and retailers mentioned aren’t all suited to the same number of people.
Ask how many travellers want an ice lolly, then check that the box contains enough to share them out as you’d like, provided you can keep them cold in transit.
These products give you a guide to the number of sticks and flavours. When choosing a box, check the label as well as the conditions for transporting it on your journey.
Magnum France features an assortment of 6 mini sticks in Classic, Almond and White Chocolate flavours. Carrefour and Auchan also stock a box of 10 Magnum mini sticks.
Carrefour’s mini ice cream range features an assortment of 8 Carrefour Extra sticks.
Auchan features an assortment of 8 mini sticks, including chocolate varieties and one with almonds.
E.Leclerc features a box of 12 ECO+ mini sticks in vanilla and chocolate flavours.
ALDI France features a box of 12 MUCCI mini sticks in milk chocolate, white chocolate, almond and classic varieties.
These packs of 8 to 12 water ice lollies or mini sorbet sticks let you compare the number of pieces and flavours for a dessert to share. They’re not interchangeable with chocolate-coated ice lolly assortments: choose according to the group’s tastes, then plan how to keep them cold in transit.
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For a group who’d like to share several flavours, this pack contains 12 water ice lollies in five flavours. Take an insulated bag and keep the time before serving them to a minimum; check the label if anyone has a dietary requirement.
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For sharing water ice lollies while offering a choice of flavours, this pack contains 10 pieces in five flavours. Plan how to keep them cold until you share them, and check the ingredients on the box you buy.
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For a group who’d like a choice of orange or cherry, this pack contains 12 water ice lollies. Keep them cold in transit, and check the ‘may contain’ information on the box if anyone in the group has an allergy.
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For a small group who’d prefer mini sorbets to water ice lollies, this pack offers eight sticks in two flavours: lemon and raspberry. Plan how to keep them cold in transit and check the ‘may contain’ information on the packaging.
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For a small group who’d like two sorbet flavours, this pack contains eight mini sticks in Sicilian lemon and blood orange flavours. Keep transport time to a minimum before serving, and read the ‘may contain’ information on the box.
Yes, if the group wants enough portions and you can keep the time spent transporting the frozen treats before serving them to a minimum. Anses advises buying them at the end of your shop and using an insulated bag; the size of the box doesn’t replace these precautions.
First, count how many people want one, then check how the flavours are divided up in the box. For two to four travellers, packs of 6 to 8 featured by Magnum France, Carrefour and Auchan can offer some choice, as long as you can keep the ice lollies cold in transit.
No. You need to check the ingredients for every variety in the exact box. Auchan’s product information for its assortment lists milk, soya and almonds, among other ingredients, depending on the recipe. The DGCCRF reminds shoppers that allergens must be highlighted on the labels of prepacked foods.
Not if you’re looking specifically for mini ice lolly sticks. SNCF Connect lists catering services that vary by train and route. Check the options for your journey if you’re thinking of buying dessert on board.