Anyone looking to gauge the portion size
If you’re already having tea and biscuits, the weight or volume listed for each lolly helps you work out how many to serve without opening a dessert to share.
Who are these formats for?
Households looking for a choice of coatings
An assorted box lets everyone choose from the advertised flavours without buying several boxes. However, check which varieties are actually included in the assortment.
Anyone who pays close attention to ingredients
If ingredients are a priority, particularly if anyone has an allergy to milk, soya, almonds or other nuts, always check the label on the product you’re buying rather than relying on the range name.
What should you look for?
For tea and biscuits, start by checking the quantity per lolly. Then look at the flavours in the box and the ingredients in each variety.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Individual portion | Check the number of lollies and the quantity per lolly. Carrefour France lists 32 g per lolly for its CARREFOUR EXTRA assortment; Magnum France lists 55 ml per lolly for Mini Classic. Don’t compare grams directly with millilitres. | If I’m already serving biscuits, I want to know how much ice cream comes with each lolly. Around 46% of consumers would put portion size at the heart of their choice. |
| Flavours to share | Check the coatings and how many lollies of each variety are included. Assortments described by Carrefour France and ALDI France offer several types of chocolate in one box. | When several people are having a snack, I’d prefer everyone to be able to choose a flavour listed on the box. This would be a priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and allergen information for each variety on the pack you buy, including any warnings about possible traces. | Before choosing a coating, I need to check that its ingredients are suitable for everyone eating the ice lolly. Around 18% of consumers would prioritise this check. |
What not to overlook
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Assuming all mini formats are the same portion size
A 32 g lolly and a 55 ml lolly express the quantity in different units. A smaller size also doesn’t tell you its nutritional information.
Compare quantities in the same unit where possible, and check the nutritional information per portion for the product you choose.
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Checking just one flavour in an assorted box
Coatings and inclusions can vary from one lolly to another. Assortments described by Carrefour France and varieties listed by Magnum include recipes with milk or almonds.
Check the ingredients, listed allergens and any warnings about possible traces on the pack you buy. Don’t assume every lolly has the same ingredients.
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Leaving the ice lollies out after shopping
When transporting frozen products, you need to maintain the cold chain until you get home.
The DGCCRF advises picking up frozen food last, using an insulated bag where possible and keeping transport time to a minimum. Put the ice lollies in the freezer as soon as you get home, following the instructions on the packaging.
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Relying on a product without checking local availability
A product you’ve spotted in a catalogue may not be available at your chosen store or for your selected delivery slot. E.Leclerc, for example, advises customers to check the availability of certain products with the relevant store.
Check what’s available at your store, on Drive or in your delivery area before planning a particular assortment for your snack.
Brands and ranges to know
Magnum
Magnum France offers vanilla mini ice lolly sticks coated in chocolate, including Mini Classic in a box of six 55 ml lollies, as well as assorted varieties.
- Magnum France provides nutritional information per portion for Mini Classic.
- The recipes listed contain milk; for the Almond variety, you’ll also need to check the warnings relating to nuts.
CARREFOUR EXTRA
Carrefour France describes an assortment of eight 32 g mini ice lolly sticks, with several chocolate coatings and some lollies containing almonds.
- The stated weight per lolly makes it easier to work out the portion to serve.
- The published ingredients list includes milk, soya and almonds, and warns that traces of egg and other nuts may be present.
Auchan
Auchan offers an assortment of eight mini ice lolly sticks weighing 258 g in total, with vanilla and milk chocolate recipes, including one with pieces of roasted almonds.
- The net weight and number of lollies make it easy to work out that each stick weighs around 32.25 g.
- The recipes described contain milk; the almond variety also contains almonds.
TRIUM
The TRIUM range listed by E.Leclerc includes vanilla mini ice lolly sticks coated in white, milk or dark chocolate, or milk chocolate with almonds.
- These varieties let you choose a box based on the coatings you’d like.
- Check the ingredients for each variety and its availability with the relevant store or Drive service.
MUCCI
ALDI France offers a box of twelve MUCCI mini ice lolly sticks, weighing 429 g in total, with milk chocolate, white chocolate, almond and Classic varieties.
- The box contains twelve lollies in several varieties, ideal for sharing at snack time.
- Check the ingredients on the box you choose and its availability at your local store.
Ice lolly sticks and individual ice lollies on Joybuy
This selection includes chocolate-coated Magnum Mini ice lolly sticks and individual CAPRI-SUN ice lollies in orange and cherry flavours. To go with tea and biscuits, choose based on the type of ice lolly you’d like, the number of lollies and the quantity listed on the box. The CAPRI-SUN ice lollies aren’t described as mini.
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Magnum Mini Classic, Almond and White Chocolate, x6, 254 g
Ideal for a snack where everyone can choose from the listed coatings. The box contains six lollies weighing 254 g in total, or around 42.3 g each if the net weight is divided equally. Check the ingredients for each variety on the packaging.
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CAPRI-SUN Orange & Cherry Ice Pops, x12, 444 g
Serve individual orange and cherry ice lollies instead of chocolate-coated sticks. The box contains twelve lollies weighing 444 g in total, or 37 g each if the weight is divided equally. Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack you buy.
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Magnum Mini Deluxe Caramel, x6, 330 g
Serve a caramel Mini ice lolly with your snack. The six lollies weigh 330 g in total, or 55 g each if the weight is divided equally. Check the packaging for ingredients, allergens and storage instructions.
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Magnum Double Billionaire's Mini, x6, 282 g
Ideal for sharing six Mini ice lolly sticks at snack time. The box contains 282 g in total, or 47 g per lolly if the weight is divided equally. Check the ingredients and storage instructions on the packaging for this variety.
Frequently asked questions
How much ice cream should I serve with tea and biscuits?
Check the quantity per lolly and the number in the box, then decide how many to serve with the biscuits. If only the net weight of the box is listed, you can divide it by the number of lollies to work out the average weight per lolly. Don’t compare a weight in grams directly with a volume in millilitres.
Is an assortment of mini ice lolly sticks suitable for someone with an allergy?
Don’t rely on the assortment name alone: check the ingredients for each variety on the pack you buy. Depending on the recipe, products described by Carrefour France and Magnum contain milk, soya or almonds, and some carry warnings about possible traces.
How should I transport ice lollies after shopping?
Pick up the ice lollies last and get them back into the freezer as soon as possible. The DGCCRF recommends using an insulated bag to transport frozen food. Then follow the storage instructions on the box.
Can I expect to find the same assortment in every shop?
Check the product with the shop, Drive service or delivery provider you plan to use. E.Leclerc, for example, advises contacting the relevant store to check the availability of certain TRIUM products.