For an easy-to-count serving, choose a mini ice cream lolly; for a choice of flavours, look at assorted packs; and to adjust the number of pieces served, consider ice cream bites. The word ‘mini’ alone doesn’t tell you about the portion or recipe: check the nutritional information and allergens for the exact product, then make sure you can keep it cold on the way home.
A mini ice cream lolly lets you serve one piece without filling a bowl. To find out what that piece represents, check the stated serving size and nutritional information for your chosen flavour: these can vary between flavours.
If someone needs to avoid an ingredient, the recipe for each variety matters just as much as the size of the box. Check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the pack you buy, particularly with assorted packs.
Whether you’re shopping in store, using a drive-through collection service or ordering delivery, check that the product is available at your chosen store or for your selected time slot. The Anses advises picking up frozen food at the end of your shop, using an insulated bag and keeping travel time to a minimum.
Choose these: when serving one piece per person makes things easier.
Bear in mind: two recipes described as ‘mini’ can have different nutritional values per piece.
Choose these: when several people would like different coatings in the same box.
Bear in mind: each variety may have its own recipe and allergens.
Choose these: when you’d rather serve each person the number of bites they want than a whole lolly.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to count the pieces actually served to work out the portion.
| Factor | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Serving size | Compare the number of pieces, the amount per piece and the nutritional information per serving for the exact flavour. | I want to serve one piece and know what serving size it represents; around 40% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list, highlighted allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings for each variety included. | If I’m serving someone with an allergy, I need to check the recipe before choosing a box; this would be the priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Buying and keeping it cold | Check the product is available at your chosen store or in your selected basket, then plan to use an insulated bag and keep the journey short. | For a last-minute shop, I need to be able to buy the ice creams and get them into the freezer quickly; around 30% of consumers would prioritise this. |
The format alone isn’t enough to compare two recipes. Magnum France lists 137 kcal per serving for Mini Classic; Carrefour’s listing for Mini Double Chocolat gives 160 kcal for 55 mL. These figures relate to different products.
Compare the stated serving size, the amount it represents and the nutritional information for the exact flavour, rather than just the number of pieces in the box.
Auchan’s listing for its assorted pack shows several coatings, including a recipe with almonds. So the ingredients for one variety won’t necessarily describe the whole box.
Before serving someone with an allergy, read the full label and any ‘may contain’ warnings for the varieties you’ve chosen.
Carrefour Sensation’s listing for its ice cream bites shows them as unavailable, including for Drive. A product page alone isn’t enough to plan a last-minute shop.
Check the product at your chosen store, time slot or in your basket, and have another format in mind if needed.
The time between buying your ice cream and putting it in the freezer matters for maintaining the cold chain. The Anses recommends picking up frozen food at the end of your shop and keeping travel time to a minimum.
Take an insulated bag and put the ice cream in the freezer as soon as you get home. Don’t refreeze a product that has thawed.
Magnum offers Mini Classic lollies and assorted packs, among other products. These make it easy to compare one serving per lolly with a box containing several varieties.
The Auchan assorted pack featured here contains eight mini ice cream lollies weighing 258 g, with several coatings.
Carrefour Sensation’s ice cream bites come in a pack of ten pieces weighing 125 g, with no sticks.
E.Leclerc’s page for Marque Repère frozen desserts includes a Smicy assorted pack with twenty sticks weighing 850 g.
This selection includes ice cream bites, mini lollies and an assorted pack, as well as individual ice creams whose size is worth comparing with the portion you’re looking for. For a last-minute shop, check the product in your basket and plan how you’ll keep it cold on the way home.
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Worth considering if you’d rather serve bites than a whole lolly. Check the number of bites, stated serving size and allergens on the pack before deciding how many to serve.
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Worth considering if you want to count out individual ice lollies: the box contains 12 ice pops. The name doesn’t describe them as mini lollies, so check their size and the allergen information on the pack.
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Worth considering if you want to serve one mini lolly per person. The box contains six 55 ml portions; Magnum France lists 137 kcal per serving for Mini Classic. Check the allergens on the pack you buy.
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Worth considering when a selection of varieties in one box would suit your group better than a single flavour. The box contains six mini lollies; check the mix of varieties, the serving size for each and the allergen information before serving.
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Worth considering if an individual 70 ml ice bar is the portion you’re looking for; the box contains eight. Check the label if you’re specifically after a mini format, or if the ingredients and warnings are important to your choice.
No. Compare the nutritional values per serving and the amount that serving represents. Magnum France lists 137 kcal per serving for Mini Classic, while Carrefour’s listing for Mini Double Chocolat gives 160 kcal for 55 mL; these figures apply only to those specific products.
Read the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the pack for each variety included. The DGCCRF reminds consumers that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted on the labels of prepacked foods; don’t assume one piece has the same ingredients as another flavour.
Pick up frozen food at the end of your shop, carry it in an insulated bag and keep the journey short before putting it in the freezer. These are the precautions recommended by the Anses to maintain the cold chain.
No. Don’t refreeze a product that has thawed. The Anses advises against refreezing food once it has defrosted; also follow the storage instructions on the packaging.