For your Christmas shop, start by counting your guests and deciding whether everyone will have a mini ice lolly or a larger portion. An assortment lets you offer a choice of flavours without opening several boxes, while a multipack of one flavour is a good option if you already know what everyone likes. Whichever format you choose, check the allergens and storage instructions on the box.
If you’re planning an ice cream dessert for each guest, check the number of pieces before looking at the box’s total weight. Then compare the size of each ice lolly: for example, Magnum offers 55 ml and 95 ml formats, depending on the product.
If not everyone wants the same flavour, an assortment can save you from opening several boxes. Magnum, for example, offers a multipack of mini Classic, Almond and White Chocolate ice lollies.
If a guest needs to avoid a particular ingredient, check the recipe and allergen information for each product. Auchan’s listing for a fruit-flavoured multipack states that it contains milk and may contain traces of other allergens, so you can’t judge what’s in it from the flavour alone.
Decide on the number and size of portions, then choose your flavours. Before settling on a box, check its ingredients and plan how you’ll transport the frozen treats.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Number and size of portions | Count the pieces in each box and compare the volume per ice lolly where stated. A mini portion may not be the right size for the dessert you have in mind. | I want to serve everyone an ice lolly without buying too many boxes, and choose a portion that suits the meal. Around 36% of consumers would put portion size first. |
| Choice of flavours | Check which flavours are actually included, and make sure you know whether it’s an assortment or a multipack of one flavour. | When guests have different tastes, I’d rather offer a choice of flavours as part of the same serving. Around 29% of consumers would prioritise this. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and allergen information for each flavour on the exact box you’re buying. Don’t make assumptions based on the flavour alone. | If a guest needs to avoid an ingredient, I need to be able to check whether it’s included before choosing dessert. Around 21% of consumers would put this check first. |
| Collection and transport | Confirm which product is available at your store or for your chosen delivery option, and plan a journey that meets the storage instructions. | I need to collect the ice lollies at the right time and keep them frozen until they’re served. Around 14% of consumers would put this practical consideration first. |
A box of six 55 ml mini ice lollies sold by Magnum and a box of eight 95 ml ice lollies listed by Carrefour won’t serve the same number of guests or offer the same portion size.
Decide what size you want to serve, then count how many pieces you’ll need. Use the total weight only to compare products on a like-for-like basis.
Auchan’s listing for a fruit-flavoured multipack states that it contains milk and may contain traces of cereals containing gluten, peanuts, soya, egg and nuts.
Check the packaging of the exact product for the allergen in question. If you can’t confirm that the recipe is suitable for your guest, choose a separate dessert for them with ingredients you can check.
The Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control warns that a rise in temperature can compromise food safety. You should also follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
Pick up your ice lollies at the end of your shop, keep transport time to a minimum and put them away promptly at the temperature stated on the box.
Worth considering if you’re choosing between an assortment of mini ice lollies and larger portions.
Two Carrefour ranges to compare if the number of ice lollies and the recipe matter to you.
A retailer to browse if you want to compare ice lollies, mini ice lollies and frozen bars.
An option to consider if you’re looking for a multipack with plenty of mini portions.
These boxes contain individual frozen portions in multipacks of four to twelve, with both single-flavour options and an assortment. Choose according to the number of guests, the stated portion size and the ingredients in the exact product.
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A pack to consider if you’re planning up to twelve individual frozen portions in orange and cherry flavours. The stated total weight is 444 g. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging before serving them to your guests.
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This box contains eight 70 ml ice lollies, giving you eight individual melon portions. It’s a single-flavour option, so check the ingredients if a guest needs to avoid a particular ingredient.
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If your guests fancy a coconut flavour, this pack contains eight ice lollies of 70 ml each. Check the ingredients list and allergen information on the exact packaging before serving them to anyone who needs to avoid particular ingredients.
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This box of four 90 ml ice lollies may suit a smaller gathering looking for a fruit-flavoured option. It contains milk; check the exact packaging for any other allergen information too.
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This pack is a good choice if your guests would like a selection of flavours. It contains six mini ice lollies in Classic, Almond and White Chocolate flavours, with a stated total weight of 254 g. It contains milk and may contain nuts, so check the label before serving it to anyone concerned.
If you’re planning one ice lolly per person, start by counting one for each guest, then compare the portion sizes. Magnum offers an assortment of six 55 ml mini ice lollies, while Carrefour lists a box of eight 95 ml Magnum ice lollies. The total weight doesn’t tell you how many individual portions there are.
No. The flavour alone doesn’t tell you which allergens are present. Auchan’s listing for a fruit-flavoured multipack states that it contains milk and may contain traces of nuts, among other allergens. Check the information on the exact box.
Check the product name, ingredients list, allergens, nutritional information, quantity and storage instructions. The Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control lists these among the labelling information for pre-packed food. Always check the details for the exact product you plan to buy.
Pick them up at the end of your shop, keep the journey as short as possible and follow the temperature instructions on the packaging. The Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control warns that a rise in temperature can compromise food safety.
You can decide on the format and flavours in advance, but confirm which product is available at your store or for your chosen collection option when you place your order. Also plan how you’ll transport the ice lollies and keep them frozen until you serve them.