People organising an office break
You’re planning to share ice lollies and can transport them in an insulated bag before putting them in a freezer. The temperature they need to be kept at depends on the packaging for the product you choose.
Who is this choice for?
People looking for smaller portions
You want to hand out individual portions to colleagues. Compare the number of pieces, the amount per piece and the shape—bite-sized or on a stick—instead of relying on the word ‘mini’ alone.
People organising a group treat
You should be able to show the packaging to colleagues who need to check for allergens. Depending on the recipe, the products mentioned in this article list ingredients such as milk, soya, wheat or nuts.
What should you look for?
First, make sure you can keep the ice lollies frozen. Then choose between bites and sticks based on how you plan to serve them, and check the portions and label on each box.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | Check that you have access to a freezer, note the temperature stated on the packaging and make sure you can transport the ice lollies in an insulated bag. Anses recommends buying frozen food at the end of your shop. | If I’m organising an office break, I need to be able to put the ice lollies in the freezer as soon as I arrive, rather than leaving them in a biscuit tin. Around 33% of consumers would put this first. |
| Portion and format | Compare the number of pieces, the weight or volume per piece where stated, and whether they come on a stick. | When sharing out small portions, I want to know how many bites or sticks each person can have. This would be the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ information on the box you buy, and keep the packaging handy while serving. | When several colleagues are helping themselves, I want them to be able to check the ingredients for each flavour before choosing. Around 20% of consumers would put this information at the top of their list. |
| Number of pieces | Work out how many portions you need for the team and check whether the multipack includes different flavours. | If we’re sharing a box, I look for enough portions and flavours that suit the group. For around 20% of consumers, the number of portions to share would be the priority. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Using a biscuit tin to store them
A regular tin won’t keep ice lollies frozen. The DGCCRF warns that a rise in temperature can increase the risks associated with breaking the cold chain. The Magnum Mini multipack featured by Auchan has a storage instruction of −18 °C.
Transport the ice lollies in an insulated bag, put them in the office freezer and take them out only when you’re ready to serve them.
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Assuming every ‘mini’ format is the same size
Carrefour offers a multipack of eight 32 g sticks, while Auchan lists six Magnum ice creams at 55 ml each. Weight and volume are not interchangeable measures.
Compare the details per piece on the packaging, then choose between a bite without a stick and an ice lolly on a stick to suit the way you plan to hand them out.
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Assuming a small portion is suitable for everyone
Size doesn’t tell you anything about allergens. Carrefour’s product information for Carrefour Extra mini sticks and Oreo bites lists ingredients and possible traces that vary by product.
Keep the packaging handy and ask any colleagues with allergies to check the ingredients and ‘may contain’ information before helping themselves.
Brands to know
Magnum
Auchan offers a Magnum Mini multipack of six 55 ml ice creams, with Classic, Almond and White Chocolate flavours.
- Six pieces in a box, with a choice of flavours.
- The product featured by Auchan must be stored at −18 °C. Also check the ingredients and nut information on the box you choose.
Carrefour Extra
Carrefour offers a multipack of eight mini sticks, each weighing 32 g.
- The number of sticks and weight per piece make it easier to plan how to hand them out.
- Check the ingredients and any trace information on the packaging, especially if you’re sharing them with colleagues who have allergies.
Auchan
Auchan offers a multipack under its own brand containing eight mini ice cream sticks, weighing 258 g in total.
- Eight pieces to share among colleagues.
- Check the ingredients for each flavour in the multipack before putting it out for everyone to help themselves.
Eco+ (E.Leclerc)
E.Leclerc offers Eco+ vanilla and chocolate mini sticks in a box of twelve, weighing 405,6 g.
- The box of twelve makes it easier to plan for a larger group.
- Check the ingredients and storage instructions on the box before buying them for the office.
Joybuy products for individual servings
These ice lollies on a stick are easy to hand out individually if you have access to a freezer at the office. Not all the options are labelled ‘mini’, so compare the number of pieces and the stated quantity before choosing.
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CAPRI-SUN Orange & Cherry Ice Pops, 12 pieces, 444 g
A box to consider if you’d like to hand out twelve ice pops. The stated flavours are orange and cherry. Check the trace information on the packaging before sharing them with a group.
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Binggrae Melona Melon Ice Bar, 8 × 70 ml
Eight individual melon ice bars for a group that prefers a single flavour. Each piece is listed as 70 ml. Check the label if any colleagues need to avoid certain ingredients.
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POP FRUIT Sorbet Sticks 100% Coconut, 4 pieces, 280 g
Four ice lollies to consider for a small group of coconut fans. The box states a total weight of 280 g. Check the allergen information before sharing them.
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Magnum Mini Classic, Almond & White Chocolate, 6 pieces, 254 g
A selection of six mini sticks if having three flavours to choose from matters more than the number of portions. The stated total weight is 254 g. Check the box for the weight per stick and allergen information.
Frequently asked questions
Can you keep mini ice lollies in a biscuit tin at the office?
No. A regular biscuit tin is no substitute for a freezer. Follow the temperature stated on the packaging: the Magnum Mini multipack featured here is listed by Auchan as needing to be kept at −18 °C. You’ll also need an insulated bag for the journey.
When should I buy ice lollies if I’m taking them to the office?
Buy them at the end of your shop, as Anses recommends for frozen food. Transport them in an insulated bag and get them into the office freezer as quickly as possible.
Are small portions automatically suitable for colleagues with allergies?
No. The size of an ice lolly tells you nothing about its ingredients. Carrefour’s products list allergens and possible traces that vary from one product to another. Leave the exact packaging out so everyone can check it before helping themselves.