Start by choosing a pack that covers the number of people you’re serving: four ice lollies may be enough for a small gathering, while a larger group will need more portions. If people have different tastes, look at the flavours in an assorted pack rather than just the number of lollies. Check the allergens on the exact pack you choose, and use an insulated bag to get it home to the freezer.
If you want to serve dessert without having to cut it up, count the portions before choosing a pack. The ranges featured by Carrefour, Auchan, ALDI and E.Leclerc include packs of 8, 12 or 20 ice lollies, depending on the product.
When comparing two packs, check both the number of lollies and their weight or volume. Twelve mini ice lollies won’t necessarily be the same amount as twelve lollies in a different size.
Choose based on the label on the exact pack. Products featured by Carrefour and Auchan list ingredients such as milk, almonds or soya, depending on the recipe. With an assorted pack, check every variety.
For a Bastille Day dessert, first work out how many people you’ll be serving. Then narrow down the suitable pack sizes based on their tastes and any ingredients they need to avoid.
| What to consider | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Number of portions | Count the ice lollies you’ll be serving, and check which flavours are included if people have different preferences. | When I’m hosting a group, I want to give everyone a dessert without cutting anything up and make sure I don’t run short; around 42% of consumers put this first. |
| Size of the ice lollies | Compare the number of lollies with the weight or volume of the pack and, if stated, of each ice lolly. | If I’m choosing between mini ice lollies and a standard size, I want to know how much each guest will get; around 33% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Ingredients | Read the ingredients, allergen information and any statements about possible traces on the exact pack. | If a guest needs to avoid an ingredient, I need to check every recipe before choosing an assorted pack; around 25% of consumers prioritise this check. |
The packs featured by retailers don’t all have the same weight or volume, and a mini ice lolly may be a smaller portion.
Check both the number of lollies and the quantity shown on the pack before deciding which size to serve.
A name such as vanilla and chocolate doesn’t tell you all the ingredients. Some products list milk, almonds or soya, or warn that they may contain nuts.
Check the label on the product you buy, including the information for each variety in an assorted pack.
The DGCCRF reminds shoppers that the cold chain must also be maintained when transporting frozen products.
Pick up the ice lollies at the end of your shop, put them in an insulated bag and get them into the freezer as soon as possible.
The range can vary by shop and time of year, even when you need a specific number of portions for the day.
As the celebration approaches, confirm the product and pack size at your chosen shop. If needed, have another suitable pack in mind as a back-up.
Carrefour features Magnum packs of four or eight ice lollies, depending on the recipe.
These Carrefour ranges include several sizes of ice lollies and mini ice lollies.
Auchan features a pack of four vanilla and almond ice lollies, as well as a pack of eight fruit ice lollies.
The Marque Repère frozen products featured by E.Leclerc include the Trium and Smicy ranges.
ALDI’s featured MUCCI ice cream range includes mini ice lollies as well as packs of four.
Bon Gelati is a range of ice creams featured by Lidl.
These packs of eight to twelve portions let you compare water ice lollies with other frozen treats for individual servings. The number of flavours and ingredients vary by product.
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A pack to consider if you’d like to serve twelve portions and offer a choice of flavours.
Five flavours are listed. Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack, particularly if any of your guests have an allergy.
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This pack is a good option if you’re looking for ten individual portions with a choice of flavours.
Five flavours are listed. If you have an allergy or intolerance, check the label on the pack you buy.
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A pack of twelve portions if you’d like to offer orange and cherry flavours.
Check the label for any warnings about possible allergens. Follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
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This pack of eight is a good choice if your group would prefer one vanilla and almond recipe rather than a mix of flavours.
Check the pack for information about milk and nuts. Take care when serving these to young children, as they contain small pieces of nuts.
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This pack contains eight portions in one flavour: melon.
Check the label for milk. Also look for information about the E102 colourant if you’re serving these ice lollies to children.
Allow at least one ice lolly for everyone you’d like to serve dessert to. Then choose the number of pieces based on whether you might serve seconds and what other desserts you’re offering. Don’t judge portion size by the number of lollies alone.
Check the number of pieces and the weight or volume shown on each pack. Mini and standard ice lollies can differ in size, so the number of portions alone won’t tell you how much you’ll be serving.
Yes. Check the information on the exact pack and for each of its recipes. In France, the Ministry of the Economy says that allergens in prepacked food must be listed and highlighted. The coating or flavour alone won’t tell you everything that’s in the product.
Pick them up at the end of your shop, carry them in an insulated bag and put them in the freezer as soon as possible. The DGCCRF recommends protecting frozen products on the journey home to maintain the cold chain.
As your gathering approaches, confirm the product and number of ice lollies at your chosen shop. The range can change depending on the retailer, shop and time of year, so it’s worth having another suitably sized pack as a back-up.