If you’re serving individual ice lollies at a weekend breakfast, first check that they’re labelled “mini”, look at the size and check how many come in the box. A box of six could suit a small group, while an assortment of eight or twelve gives you a choice of flavours. Check the ingredients for each variety, and make sure you can get them back into the freezer quickly after shopping.
If you’re having a small group for breakfast, count how many lollies you’ll need rather than choosing a box based on its appearance alone. For example, Carrefour lists six 55 mL lollies for its Magnum Mini Almond product.
When guests have different tastes, a box with several varieties means you don’t have to serve just one flavour. The assortments of eight Auchan mini lollies and twelve MUCCI mini lollies, listed by Auchan and ALDI respectively, are examples of this.
Check the number of lollies and the total weight to plan your portions, then read the label for each variety if there are ingredients to avoid. The Carrefour and Auchan product details for the examples mentioned include milk and, depending on the variety, soya, almonds or possible traces of other nuts.
Start by deciding what size portion you want to serve and how many people you’re catering for. Then compare the boxes by flavour, quantity and the ingredients in each variety.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Mini portions | Look for the word “mini” and a stated size for each lolly. Carrefour specifies 55 mL per lolly for Magnum Mini Almond; this size doesn’t apply to every mini product. | If I want to serve one lolly per person without choosing a full-size one, the size of each lolly comes first. Around 33% of consumers prioritise individual portions. |
| Flavour choice | Check which varieties are included in the assortment: Auchan lists eight mini lollies with several different coatings, while ALDI lists twelve MUCCI mini lollies in a range of flavours. | When everyone at the table likes different flavours, I prefer a box with a choice of varieties. This is the priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Number in the box | Compare the number of lollies with the number of people and servings you have in mind. The boxes mentioned here contain six, eight or twelve lollies, depending on the product. | If I’m having several people over or want to keep some portions for another weekend, I mainly look at how many lollies are in the box. Around 20% of consumers prioritise quantity. |
| Ingredients and storage | Check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact box you’re buying, then follow the storage temperature instructions while travelling home and once you’re there. | If a variety needs to suit guests who have ingredients to avoid, or you need to plan how to transport frozen food, these checks come before the flavour. They’re the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
A large assortment doesn’t necessarily mean small portions: the E.Leclerc page for Marque Repère, for example, lists an assortment of twenty 850 g sticks without describing them as mini.
If individual size is important, look for the word “mini” and check the size and number of lollies in the product you’re choosing.
Different varieties in the same box can have different ingredients. The Auchan assortment details include milk and soya, as well as an almond variety; a Magnum product page warns that it may contain traces of nuts.
If you have an allergy or need to avoid an ingredient, check the label on the exact box before serving it.
The DGCCRF warns that an increase in temperature speeds up microbial growth. Getting these products from the shop to your freezer is therefore an important part of planning your purchase.
Pick up the ice lollies last, keep transport time to a minimum and follow the storage temperature shown on the packaging.
The Mini range includes boxes of six lollies. Carrefour lists 55 mL per lolly for its Mini Almond product.
Auchan lists an assortment of eight mini ice lollies, weighing 258 g in total, with several chocolate coatings.
ALDI lists a box of twelve MUCCI mini lollies, with milk chocolate, white chocolate, almond and classic varieties.
The E.Leclerc page lists an assortment of twenty Marque Repère sticks, weighing 850 g in total.
This selection includes Magnum Mini ice lollies and POP FRUIT Mini sorbet sticks. For a weekend breakfast, first choose the flavour you want, then check the portion size and the label on the exact box.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if your guests would like a choice of varieties in a box of six mini lollies. If you have a specific portion size in mind, check the size of each lolly, and read the label if you have an allergy.
Image unavailable
The stated volume per lolly gives you a clear guide for serving individual portions. If you have an allergy or need to check the storage instructions for this box, read the label.
Image unavailable
An option to consider if you’d rather serve lemon and raspberry flavours than a chocolate variety. Check the packaging for the number of lollies and their weight, as the quantities listed for this product don’t match. If you have an allergy, also check the precautionary allergen information.
Image unavailable
This box of six is worth considering if you’re looking for mini portions in a caramel flavour. If the size of each lolly matters, check it on the packaging; if you have an allergy, also read the ingredients and precautionary allergen information.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you’re looking for this flavour in a box of six mini lollies. Check the size of each lolly, and read the label for this variety if there are ingredients you need to avoid.
Check the size of each lolly, not just whether it’s labelled “mini”. Carrefour lists six 55 mL lollies for Magnum Mini Almond; Auchan lists eight lollies weighing 258 g in total for its mini assortment, but the total weight alone doesn’t tell you the size of each portion.
Check the ingredients and precautionary allergen information for each variety on the exact box. The Carrefour and Auchan product details mentioned here include milk and, depending on the variety, soya, almonds or possible traces of other nuts.
Pick them up last and put them in the freezer as soon as possible, following the temperature instructions on the packaging. The DGCCRF warns that an increase in temperature speeds up microbial growth; an insulated bag can help if you have a longer journey home.