Anyone counting portions
If you know how many guests are coming, boxes clearly labelled as containing 6, 8 or 12 mini ice lollies make it easier to work out how many to buy. The number of lollies varies by product.
Who is this for?
Anyone looking for a choice of flavours
An assortment means your buffet doesn’t have to be limited to one flavour. The Magnum box includes Classic, Almond and White Chocolate; the Trium product combines red berry and exotic fruit coatings.
Anyone who needs to consider allergens
Before serving guests with dietary restrictions, check the exact box you’ve bought: milk, soya, almonds and ‘may contain’ warnings vary between products. The DGCCRF states that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted in the ingredients list on prepacked foods.
What should you look for?
When planning your buffet, start with the number of portions you need. Then check the flavours against your guests’ dietary restrictions and make sure you can keep the ice lollies frozen.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Number of portions | Number of ice lollies per box and total weight. | I want to work out how many boxes I’ll need without assuming that every guest will come back for seconds; around 42% of consumers would prioritise counting portions. |
| Choice of flavours | The flavours and coatings actually included in the assortment. | If I want to offer a choice of flavours without buying lots of different products, the contents of each box matter; around 33% of consumers would prioritise this variety. |
| Allergens and keeping them frozen | Ingredients, ‘may contain’ warnings and storage instructions on the box. | If any guests have dietary restrictions, I need to find a product that’s suitable for them and keep it frozen until it’s time to serve; around 25% of consumers would put these precautions first. |
Mistakes to avoid before the buffet
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Choosing a box based only on the number of ice lollies
Two boxes with a similar number of ice lollies may contain different quantities overall: the product details also give the weight per lolly or the total weight.
Work out your portions based on the number of guests, then compare the number of ice lollies and the weight shown on each box.
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Assuming an assortment is suitable for everyone with allergies
The chocolate products mentioned may contain milk, soya or almonds, among other ingredients, or carry ‘may contain’ warnings. Their small size doesn’t change what’s in them.
Read the label on every box you buy and, if necessary, set aside a separate product that’s suitable for your guests’ known dietary restrictions.
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Leaving ice lollies out of the freezer
Plan how to keep them frozen from the moment you do your shopping, not just when it’s time to serve them.
Anses recommends buying frozen food at the end of your shop, using an insulated bag and keeping the journey time to a minimum. Then follow the storage instructions on the box.
Brands to know for these pack sizes
Magnum
The product featured is an assortment of 6 mini ice lollies, with Classic, Almond and White Chocolate flavours.
- Three flavours in a box of 6, with each ice lolly measuring 55 ml.
- The details for this assortment list milk and possible tree nuts: check the label before sharing.
Carrefour Extra
The assortment featured contains 8 mini ice lollies, each weighing 32 g.
- The number of ice lollies and their individual weight make it easier to plan portions.
- This product lists milk, soya and almonds, among other ingredients, and may contain traces of egg and other tree nuts.
Auchan
The brand’s assortment contains 8 mini ice lollies, with a stated total weight of 258 g.
- The box contains a set number of ice lollies, making it easier to plan how many to serve.
- The product described contains milk and soya; check the ingredients on the box you choose.
Trium
The product featured by E.Leclerc contains 8 vanilla mini ice lollies with red berry and exotic fruit coatings.
- The two coatings add a fruity choice to your buffet.
- These are still ice lollies containing milk: a fruity coating doesn’t make them dairy-free.
MUCCI
The product featured by ALDI is a pack of 12 mini ice lollies, with a total weight of 429 g.
- A pack of 12 makes it easier to work out quantities when you’re catering for a larger number of guests.
- Check the flavours and allergens on the pack you buy before serving.
Ice lollies for your buffet on Joybuy
If you want to count individual portions and offer a choice of two flavours, this selection features orange and cherry ice lollies. Check their size if you’re specifically looking for a mini option.
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CAPRI-SUN Orange & Cherry Ice Pops, 12 ice lollies, 444 g
The box of 12 ice lollies makes it easy to count portions for your buffet and offers orange and cherry flavours.
The stated total weight is 444 g. Check the size of the ice lollies if mini portions are important, as well as the allergens and storage instructions on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
How many mini ice lollies should I get for a christening buffet?
First decide whether you’re planning one portion per guest or want to offer them a second choice. Then compare the total number you need with the contents of each box. The products featured include boxes of 6, 8 or 12; don’t automatically allow two portions for every guest.
Is an assortment of mini ice lollies suitable for everyone?
No. Check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the specific box before serving it. The Carrefour Extra assortment mentioned lists milk, soya and almonds; the details for the Magnum assortment list milk and possible tree nuts.
How should I transport ice lollies to the buffet?
Buy them at the end of your shop and carry them in an insulated bag, keeping the journey as short as possible. Then follow the storage instructions on the packaging. These are the precautions recommended by Anses to maintain the cold chain for frozen food.
Where can I check the allergens in a box of mini ice creams?
Check the ingredients list and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the box you’re going to serve. The DGCCRF states that allergenic ingredients in prepacked foods must be highlighted in the ingredients list.