People sharing a box
If you’re serving several people or spreading out your treats, check how many lollies are in the box and the size of each portion. Carrefour, ALDI and E.Leclerc catalogues include boxes of 4, 12 or 20, depending on the product.
Who are these pack sizes for?
Fans of small, creamy portions
A mini lolly gives you a smaller portion without missing out on a vanilla-and-chocolate recipe. Magnum’s Mini Classic, for example, comes in a box of 6 portions of 55 ml. Always check the ingredients and allergens for each flavour.
Those drawn to fruity flavours
An ice lolly or fruit-flavoured lolly might hit the spot, but these descriptions don’t all mean the same recipe. Auchan offers both water-based ice lollies and mini fruit-flavoured lollies containing milk.
What should you look for when comparing ice lollies?
When buying a frozen treat close to home, start with the recipe and portion size, then check the label for the details. The journey back to the freezer matters too.
Water-based and fruit ice lollies
Choose these if: you’re after a fruity-tasting ice lolly rather than a creamy, coated recipe.
Check: the fruit content, sugars and allergens vary by recipe; the flavour name alone won’t tell you enough.
Mini creamy lollies
Choose these if: you’d like to spread a box of small chocolatey portions across several treats.
Check: ‘mini’ describes the portion size, not the nutritional values or allergens.
Coated creamy lollies
Choose these if: you prefer a creamy lolly with a coating, in a portion size that suits you.
Check: ingredients and lolly size vary between recipes, even within the same range.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Number and size of portions | Number of lollies and the weight or volume of each one; available freezer space. | If I’m sharing a box or spreading out my treats, I want the number and size of portions to suit how I’ll use them; around 31 % of consumers would make this a priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | The ingredients list and allergen information for each flavour, particularly in mixed boxes. | If I need to avoid an ingredient, the flavour or appearance of a lolly isn’t enough to help me choose; around 31 % of consumers would put this check first. |
| Fruit-based recipe | Product description, fruit ingredients and nutritional information per 100 g. | For my treat, I prefer a fruity-tasting ice lolly to a creamy one; around 23 % of consumers would favour this type of recipe. |
| Creamy recipe and coating | Type of coating and nutritional values per portion, alongside the figures per 100 g. | I’m mainly looking for a creamy, chocolatey portion, even if that means checking its ingredients more closely; around 15 % of consumers would make this their top criterion. |
Things to bear in mind
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Assuming a fruity lolly is dairy-free
The DGCCRF reminds shoppers that allergens must be stated in writing, including in products you might assume are dairy-free. One Auchan range of mini fruit-flavoured lollies lists milk.
Read the ingredients and allergen information for the specific flavour you’re buying rather than relying on its colour or name.
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Looking only at the number of lollies
Four large lollies and a box of mini portions may not suit the same occasion. The pack sizes listed by Carrefour, ALDI and E.Leclerc also vary in total weight.
Check both the number of lollies and the amount per portion before choosing a box to share.
A larger box will also take up more room in the freezer.
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Letting your ice lollies warm up on the way home
The DGCCRF recommends carrying frozen products in an insulated bag and putting them away promptly after purchase to maintain the cold chain.
Pick up your lollies at the end of your shop, keep the journey short and follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
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Assuming a mini lolly is a lighter option
The size of a lolly alone doesn’t tell you how much sugar or fat it contains. Magnum lists 12 g of sugars per 55 ml portion for the Mini Classic.
Check the nutritional values per portion and per 100 g if the ingredients and nutritional content are part of your decision.
Brands to compare
Magnum
The range includes coated creamy lollies and mini formats, including the Mini Classic in a box of 6 × 55 ml.
- Magnum publishes the nutritional values per portion for the Mini Classic; Carrefour gives details of the ingredients and allergens for an almond version.
- This information applies to the products mentioned. Check the recipe and allergens separately for other flavours.
Carrefour Classic’, Sensation et Extra
These Carrefour ranges include lollies in a variety of recipes and pack sizes.
- The Carrefour catalogue includes boxes of 4 and 12 lollies, which makes it easier to choose a pack size that suits the number of portions you want.
- Check the ingredients and portion size for the specific product you choose; they aren’t the same across the whole range.
Auchan
The products mentioned include water-based fruit ice lollies and mini lollies in fruit flavours.
- The product details for Auchan’s 8 water-based fruit lollies, weighing 320 g, list the ingredients and state that they contain less than 0.5 g of fat per 100 g.
- Another mini fruit-flavoured lolly contains milk, so check the allergens for each product.
MUCCI
ALDI’s MUCCI range includes double-coated lollies and mini lollies.
- ALDI’s products include packs of 4 double-coated lollies and 12 mini lollies.
- These pack sizes don’t indicate a single recipe; check the packaging of the product you choose.
Marque Repère, Smicy et Trium
The E.Leclerc catalogue includes a 20-stick Smicy assortment and packs of 4 Trium vanilla, milk chocolate and almond lollies.
- These two examples show how much portion numbers can vary across the products listed.
- For ingredients and allergens, check the product details or label for the specific item.
Individual ice lollies on Joybuy
These boxes contain individual chocolate, fruit or creamy lollies. Start by choosing the recipe and portion size you want, then check the ingredients on the packaging.
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MIKO Donut Chocolate & Cookies, 4 × 62 ml
A box of four portions to consider if you’re after chocolate and biscuit lollies. Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging, especially if you’re sharing the box.
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CAPRI-SUN Orange & Cherry Ice Pops, × 12, 444 g
This pack of twelve portions is for anyone looking for ice lollies in fruity flavours. If a particular flavour or ingredient matters to you, check the ingredients list and allergens on the box.
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Binggrae Melona Melon Ice Bar, 8 × 70 ml
A pack of eight lollies for anyone looking for melon portions to share. The flavour alone won’t tell you what’s in them, so check the ingredients and allergens before buying.
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Magnum Mini Classic, 6 × 55 ml
This mini format is a good choice if you’d prefer to spread out smaller vanilla-and-chocolate portions. Magnum lists 12 g of sugars per 55 ml Mini Classic portion; also check the ingredients list and allergens on the box.
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Solero Berry Ice Cream Bars, 4 × 90 ml
This box of four portions could suit you if you’re looking for a lolly with berry flavours. Check the exact recipe and its allergens: a fruity taste doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a dairy-free ice lolly.
Frequently asked questions
Are sorbets or fruit lollies always dairy-free?
No. A fruit flavour doesn’t rule out the presence of milk. The DGCCRF reminds shoppers that allergens must be stated in writing, including for products such as sorbets. Check the ingredients and allergen information for the product you choose.
What should you check on the label of a pre-packed ice lolly sold in France?
Check the quantity, ingredients list, allergens and nutritional values to compare products. The DGCCRF reminds shoppers that information for consumers on pre-packed foods sold in France must be clear and written in French. Also check the product’s storage instructions.
How should you bring ice lollies home from a local shop?
It’s best to carry them in an insulated bag and put them in the freezer as soon as you get home. The DGCCRF recommends keeping frozen products from warming up during the journey and following the storage instructions on the packaging.