People hosting a group
For an afternoon treat, birthday or informal meal, the number and size of the lollies help you plan how many portions to serve. The packs mentioned by ALDI France, Auchan and Magnum contain different numbers of lollies.
Who are these pack sizes for?
Groups with different tastes
An assortment lets you offer several coatings in one box. The ranges described by Carrefour, Auchan and Magnum include options with milk, dark or white chocolate, as well as almonds in some packs.
People who check ingredients
The ingredients need to be suitable for the people you’re serving. The assortments described by Carrefour and Auchan include milk and, depending on the product, soya or almonds; other allergens may also be listed as traces.
What should you look for?
When choosing mini ice lollies to share, start by working out how many portions you need. The flavour selection and ingredients can also influence your choice, even when two boxes contain the same number of lollies.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Number of portions | Count the lollies and compare the net weight or volume of each pack; the number of pieces alone doesn’t tell you the portion size. | If I’m hosting several people, I want to make sure I have enough lollies without confusing quantity with portion size. Around 42% of consumers put this need first. |
| Flavour variety | Check which flavours or coatings are actually in the box, and how they’re divided up if this information is given. | When people around the table have different tastes, I’d rather offer a choice than just one flavour. Around 33% of consumers put this need ahead of the others. |
| Suitable ingredients | Read the ingredients list, highlighted allergens and any ‘may contain’ information on the exact pack. | If someone needs to avoid certain ingredients, I check the recipe before choosing an assortment. Around 25% of consumers make this their top priority. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing the box with the most lollies without checking their size
A higher number of lollies doesn’t mean the portions are the same size: the packs mentioned by ALDI France, Auchan and Magnum also have different total weights.
Compare the number of lollies with the net weight or volume shown, then choose a pack to suit the number of people you’re serving.
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Assuming an assortment is suitable for everyone
Depending on the recipe, the products described by Carrefour and Auchan contain milk, soya or almonds, and may also carry warnings about traces of other allergens.
Ask anyone concerned which ingredients they need to avoid, and check the label on the pack you’ve chosen rather than relying on the flavours shown in the pictures.
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Letting the ice lollies thaw on the way home
Transport is an important part of choosing a large pack: you need to be able to get the ice lollies home and put them in the freezer in line with the instructions on the packaging.
Anses advises buying frozen food at the end of your shop, using an insulated bag and keeping transport time to a minimum. It recommends not refreezing food that has thawed.
Brands to compare
Magnum
Magnum offers an assortment of mini Classic, Almond and White Chocolate lollies. Auchan lists boxes of 6 pieces weighing 254 g and 10 pieces weighing 423 g.
- The Magnum assortment described includes three flavours.
- The 6-piece pack may not be enough if you’re serving a larger group. Auchan’s product listing for this size mentions milk and possible traces of almonds and pistachios.
Carrefour Extra
Carrefour describes an assortment of 8 mini ice lollies, each weighing 32 g.
- Carrefour’s product listing gives the number and weight of the lollies.
- The ingredients list mentions milk, soya and almonds, with possible traces of eggs and other nuts.
SIMPL
The box described by Carrefour contains 8 mini ice lollies weighing 284 g in total, with a selection of chocolate coatings.
- The assortment includes milk, dark and white chocolate options, as well as an almond option.
- Some options contain almonds; Carrefour also mentions possible traces of other nuts.
Auchan
Auchan describes an assortment of 8 mini ice lollies weighing 258 g, with different chocolate coatings.
- The product listing details options including milk, dark and white chocolate, as well as almond.
- The ingredients list mentions milk and soya; check the packaging for the option you’re considering.
MUCCI
ALDI France lists a 12-piece MUCCI box weighing 429 g.
- The number of pieces and total weight make it easy to compare this pack with smaller boxes.
- Check the flavours and allergens on the box you’re thinking of buying.
Products to share
These Joybuy multipacks contain individual ice lollies to serve. Some are assortments, while others have just one flavour: check the number of pieces and the type of product before choosing one for your group.
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Maison de la Glace Water Ice Pops, 5 flavours, 12 pieces, 1 200 g
This pack of 12 lollies makes it easy to serve individual portions to a group who’d like a choice of flavours.
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CAPRI-SUN Orange & Cherry Ice Pops, 12 pieces, 444 g
The 12 lollies give you plenty to share, with two advertised flavours: orange and cherry. If you need to take dietary requirements into account, check the traces information on the pack you buy.
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ABC JELLY Fruity Jelly Bar assorted
These fruity bars can be frozen, so they’re worth considering if you’d prefer this type of treat to a creamy ice lolly. Check the net weight on the packaging to choose the size you want.
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PEPPA PIG Strawberry and Vanilla, 6 × 60 ml
This pack of six lollies is a good option if it covers the portions you need and your group likes strawberry and vanilla. The product contains milk; check the allergen information on the packaging too.
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Binggrae Melona Melon, 8 × 70 ml
This pack of eight melon-flavoured lollies is worth considering if one flavour suits your group. The ingredients list includes milk.
Frequently asked questions
How many mini ice lollies should I get for a group?
Start with the number of portions you want to serve, then check how many lollies are in each box. Compare their net weight or volume too: two packs with the same number of pieces won’t necessarily have the same portion size.
Which allergens should I check before sharing an assortment?
Read the label on the exact pack before serving it. The products described by Carrefour and Auchan mention milk and, depending on the assortment, soya or almonds; some also warn of possible traces of eggs or other nuts. The DGCCRF reminds shoppers that allergens must be highlighted in the ingredients list of pre-packed foods sold in France.
Is an ice cream labelled as plant-based suitable for someone avoiding milk?
If someone needs to avoid any presence of milk, don’t rely on the ‘plant-based’ label alone. Magnum describes Vegan Almond as a plant-based ice cream, but warns of possible traces of milk, as well as soya and other nuts; this product also contains almonds. Check the person’s dietary requirements and the label on the exact product.
How should I transport ice cream after shopping?
Pick up frozen products at the end of your shop and carry them in an insulated bag, keeping the journey as short as possible, in line with Anses advice. A Magnum product listing says to store at −18 °C or below; follow the instructions on the pack you buy and don’t refreeze a product that has thawed.