For a conference break, choose how many mini ice lollies you need based on the number of people you’re serving. Then check that you can keep them frozen until it’s time to hand them out. An assortment gives you a choice of flavours when you don’t know everyone’s preferences. Choosing a single flavour makes it easier to check the recipes, but you’ll still need to check the allergens for the product you buy.
You’ll need to count the portions, make room in the freezer and bring the products out in stages. Auchan’s boxes of mini ice lollies state how many pieces they contain; always check the storage instructions on the product you choose.
You’d like to offer a choice of flavours without having to cut up dessert on the spot. Magnum, Carrefour and Auchan offer Mini Classic, Almond and White Chocolate assortments. However, you should check each recipe before serving it to your guests.
You’ll need to check the ingredients and allergen information for the batch you’re serving. Depending on the product, milk, nuts or possible traces of allergens may affect your choice.
First, work out how many portions you’ll serve and where you’ll store them. Then choose your flavours and check the information for each recipe.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping them frozen | Check the storage instructions for the batch and make sure you have enough freezer space, including for transport. | If I’m serving the group in stages, I need to keep the remaining boxes frozen until it’s their turn. Around 31% of consumers would put this at the top of their list. |
| Choice of flavours | Compare the flavours included and the number of lollies in each box. | When I don’t know what the participants like, I’d rather give them a choice. Variety would be the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients and “may contain” statements on every pack in the batch you buy. | If I know about any dietary restrictions, I need to identify which recipes not to serve and provide an alternative if necessary. Around 31% of consumers would prioritise this check. |
| Portion size and nutrition | Check the number of lollies and, if needed, the nutritional information per portion for the exact product you’re buying. | When handing out individual desserts, I want to know the size of each lolly, not just the total weight of the box. This would be the main concern for around 13% of consumers. |
The total weight won’t tell you how many people can have a lolly. Auchan offers a box of 10, 55 mL lollies, for example, while Magnum offers boxes of 6, 55 mL lollies.
Decide how many portions you need, then work out how many boxes to buy using the number of lollies stated on each one.
Recipes listed by Magnum and Carrefour contain milk; some also contain nuts or carry a warning that they may contain traces.
Check the packaging for every recipe in the batch, and provide an alternative if needed to accommodate any known dietary restrictions among your guests.
If you’re serving the group in stages, you’ll need to keep the portions you haven’t served frozen. The DGCCRF stresses the importance of maintaining the cold chain. One Mini Almond product listed by Auchan also advises against refreezing once thawed.
Plan transport, freezer space and when to take the boxes out before you buy them. Then follow the storage instructions for the batch you’ve chosen.
Nutritional information applies to a specific recipe and quantity; it won’t necessarily describe the other lollies in the box.
If this information matters for your event, check the per-portion values for each product you choose, taking note of the stated portion size.
Magnum offers 55 mL mini lollies, including Mini Classic and an assortment of Classic, Almond and White Chocolate.
Carrefour offers boxes of Magnum Mini containing 6, 55 mL lollies, including an assortment and a Pistachio recipe.
Auchan offers an assortment of Magnum Mini Classic, Almond and White Chocolate, with 10 lollies of 55 mL.
If you’re serving individual portions, this pack of ice lollies is one dessert option to count towards the total for your group. Check the flavours, allergen information and storage instructions before adding it to your menu.
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This pack of 12 ice lollies makes it easy to count portions for your group. Before serving, check the packaging for the batch’s allergen information, portion size and storage instructions.
Start with the number of people you plan to give a portion to, then divide that figure by the number of lollies stated on the box. Magnum and Auchan offer formats with 6 or 10 lollies of 55 mL, for example. Any extra boxes will also need to be kept frozen.
An assortment gives you a choice of flavours if you don’t know everyone’s preferences, while a single flavour means fewer recipes to check. Either way, you still need to read the allergen information: Magnum says Mini Classic contains milk and may contain several types of nuts.
Follow the temperature instructions on the packaging and plan transport, storage and when to bring each batch out to maintain the cold chain. The DGCCRF stresses the importance of keeping products cold throughout. For its Mini Almond product, Auchan advises storage at −18 °C and says not to refreeze once thawed.
Keep the packaging information for the recipes you’re actually serving somewhere accessible. For prepacked food sold in France, the DGCCRF says that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted on the label. Also read any “may contain” statements on the batch you buy.