Students with a small freezer
In a home where space is limited or shared, check the number of lollies and the box size before buying. Make sure there’s space in the freezer as soon as you get back from shopping.
Who is this choice for?
Shoppers keeping an eye on portions
If you’d like to have one ice lolly without opening a large tub of ice cream, compare the quantity per lolly. Two boxes labelled ‘mini’ won’t necessarily contain the same-sized portions.
Shoppers concerned about allergens
Check the ingredients list and any ‘may contain’ statements for each product. The Carrefour, Auchan and Magnum product listings cited for these assortments mention milk, and some also list soya or nuts.
What should you check before buying?
Before choosing a size, make sure the freezer will be ready to use when you arrive. Then compare the portions, the quantity in the box and the ingredients.
| Criteria | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Transport and storage | Take an insulated bag and check the storage temperature shown on the box. The DGCCRF recommends limiting the time frozen food is in transit. | If my freezer isn’t ready yet, I need to be able to get the ice lollies home and put them away quickly. Around 31% of consumers would make storage their top priority. |
| Individual portion | Compare the weight or volume per lolly, without confusing grams with millilitres. Carrefour lists 32 g per lolly for its Extra assortment; Auchan lists 55 ml per ice lolly for the Magnum assortment. | If I want to have one ice lolly at a time, I need to know its quantity rather than rely on the word ‘mini’. Around 25% of consumers would prioritise individual portions. |
| Quantity in the box | Check the number of lollies and the total net quantity, then make sure you have enough freezer space. Auchan’s product listings show eight pieces weighing 258 g for its assortment and eight pieces weighing 287.5 g for Pilpa. | With a shared freezer, I want a box I can store and use without building up a surplus of portions. Around 25% of consumers would put the quantity in the box at the top of their list of criteria. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the label for the product you choose, including the ingredients for the different varieties and any ‘may contain’ statements. Don’t assume what’s in it based on the flavour name alone. | If some ingredients aren’t suitable for me, I need to check each variety in the assortment. Around 19% of consumers would make ingredients their top priority. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing a box just because it says ‘mini’
Carrefour lists 32 g per lolly for its Extra assortment, while Auchan’s product listing for the Magnum assortment gives a volume of 55 ml per ice lolly. The number of pieces alone doesn’t tell you how big each portion is.
Compare the quantity per lolly and the total net quantity; don’t treat weight and volume as directly equivalent measurements.
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Buying before you can use the freezer
A moving box or a long journey is no substitute for keeping food frozen. The DGCCRF recommends picking up frozen food last and limiting its time in transit.
Check that the freezer is working and there’s space available before you go shopping, then use an insulated bag if possible.
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Assuming every flavour has the same ingredients
The varieties in an assortment may differ. Carrefour, Auchan and Pilpa product listings mention milk and, depending on the product or variety, soya, almonds or traces of other allergens.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the specific pack, even if one of the flavours seems suitable.
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Refreezing an ice lolly that has defrosted
Auchan’s product listing for the Pilpa assortment says never to refreeze a defrosted product.
Follow the instructions on the relevant packaging and plan your journey home so you can put the ice lollies in the freezer promptly.
Brands to compare
Magnum
Magnum offers mini ice lollies, including an assortment of six 55 ml ice lollies in Classic, Almond and White Chocolate varieties.
- The assortment described by the brand brings together several flavours.
- Magnum’s Mini Classic product contains milk and may contain traces of nuts; check the information for the specific assortment you choose.
Carrefour Extra
Carrefour offers an assortment of eight mini ice lollies, each weighing 32 g.
- The stated weight per lolly makes it easy to see the size of each portion.
- The listed recipe contains milk, soya and almonds; traces of egg and other nuts are also mentioned.
Auchan
Auchan offers an assortment of eight mini ice lollies with a total net weight of 258 g and a selection of chocolate coatings.
- The box includes varieties coated in milk, dark and white chocolate, as well as an almond variety.
- Ingredients vary between the lollies; Auchan’s product listing mentions milk and specifies that the almond variety contains 5.9% roasted almonds.
Pilpa
Auchan’s product listing for the Pilpa assortment shows eight mini ice lollies weighing 287.5 g in total, with a selection of coatings.
- The net quantity sets this box apart from other assortments of eight pieces.
- The product listing mentions milk and, depending on the varieties or ‘may contain’ statements, other allergens. It also says never to refreeze the product after defrosting.
Joybuy products for individual portions
These two boxes contain ice lollies that you can enjoy one at a time: an orange and cherry assortment and an assortment of Magnum mini ice lollies. Before buying, check the ingredients and make sure you have enough freezer space.
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CAPRI-SUN Orange & Cherry Ice Pops, x12, 444 g
The 12 individually wrapped ice pops make it easy to have one at a time, with two flavours in the box.
The total quantity is listed as 444 g. Check the allergen information on the packaging and make sure you can put the product in the freezer after transporting it.
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Magnum Mini Classic, Almond and White Chocolate, x6, 254 g
This assortment is a good choice if you’d like to pick a mini ice lolly from three varieties in one box.
Auchan’s product listing for this assortment states that it contains six 55 ml ice lollies and should be stored at −18 °C. The product contains milk; check the nut information on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘mini’ guarantee a small portion?
No. Compare the quantity per ice lolly, not just the format name. Carrefour lists 32 g per lolly for its Extra assortment, while Auchan’s product listing for the Magnum assortment gives a quantity of six 55 ml ice lollies; these measurements aren’t directly interchangeable.
How should you transport ice lollies to your accommodation?
Pick up frozen food last, use an insulated bag if possible and put the ice lollies in the freezer as soon as you can. This follows the DGCCRF’s advice; also make sure you follow the storage temperature shown on the packaging you choose.
Can you assume that sorbet is dairy-free?
No. Check the ingredients list and allergens for the specific product. The DGCCRF reminds shoppers that milk must be declared in writing, even in a product category that might suggest it contains no milk.
Can you refreeze an ice lolly that defrosted on the journey?
Don’t refreeze the Pilpa assortment once it has defrosted: Auchan’s product listing explicitly says not to. For any other product, follow the instructions on its packaging and avoid extending the journey if you can’t keep it frozen.