For a quick frozen treat, first compare the weight of each lolly, the number of sticks in the box and the ingredients in the exact recipe: the word “mini” alone isn’t enough to compare products. If you’re planning to give one to a child in the morning, it won’t replace the breakfast recommended by Manger Bouger for children aged 4 to 17, which includes a cereal product, a dairy product and a piece of fruit. Check the allergens too, and put the box back in the freezer promptly after shopping.
A lolly that’s already individually portioned means you don’t have to divide up a large ice lolly. Documented formats include a 32 g lolly from Carrefour Extra and a 41.5 g portion of Magnum Mini Classic. So two products described as “mini” aren’t necessarily the same size.
The number of lollies matters if several people will be having one, or if you want the box to last for more than one occasion. Documented formats include eight mini ice lollies from Auchan and E.Leclerc, and twelve from MUCCI, ALDI’s ice cream brand.
An assortment may include different recipes. According to the product information documented by Magnum, Carrefour and Auchan, labels may list milk, soya and almonds, or state that the product may contain traces of other nuts. Check the exact box before serving.
If you’re buying for the morning, first decide how the ice lolly fits into the meal, then compare the amount per lolly and its ingredients. The size of the box matters most if it’s going to be shared or used on several occasions.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Place in breakfast | For a child aged 4 to 17, distinguish the ice lolly from the breakfast components recommended by Manger Bouger: a cereal product, a dairy product and a piece of fruit. | If an ice lolly is planned for a child’s breakfast, I want to know what else makes up the meal rather than relying on the lolly alone; around 29% of consumers would prioritise this question. |
| Portion per lolly | Compare the weight of each lolly and the nutritional information per portion, rather than relying on the word “mini” alone. | If I want to serve one lolly without cutting up a large one, the amount in each piece is my first point of reference; around 29% of consumers would prioritise this portion size. |
| Box size | Look at the number of lollies, the total weight and the space available in your freezer together. | If the box is for several people or occasions, I first look for a suitable number of lollies; around 24% of consumers would share this priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information for each recipe, including any “may contain” statements. | If someone needs to avoid an ingredient, I check the exact recipe before choosing an assortment; around 18% of consumers would put this suitability first. |
The size of a lolly and its nutritional values answer two different questions. For a 41.5 g portion of Mini Classic, Magnum lists 144 kcal, 12 g of sugars and 6.1 g of saturated fatty acids. These figures don’t apply to other mini ice lollies.
Check the nutritional values per portion and per 100 g on the packaging of the product you choose.
The assortments documented by Carrefour and Auchan contain several coatings or recipes. Check the ingredients and allergen information for the variety each person will be eating.
Before serving the box, check its ingredient list and any “may contain” statements on the label.
The DGCCRF recommends limiting the time frozen products spend in transit and following their storage instructions.
Pick up your ice lollies last, preferably carry them in an insulated bag, and put them back in the freezer promptly at the temperature stated on the packaging.
The Magnum Mini Classic product information lists a box of six 55 ml ice lollies, with a portion size of 41.5 g.
The documented Carrefour Extra assortment contains eight 32 g mini ice lollies with different chocolate coatings.
Auchan lists an assortment of eight frozen mini ice lollies weighing 258 g, with several vanilla recipes and chocolate coatings.
E.Leclerc lists Mini Trium vanilla, among other products, in a box of eight ice lollies weighing 287.5 g.
ALDI lists a box of twelve chocolate-coated mini ice lollies weighing 429 g under its MUCCI brand.
This selection includes Magnum mini ice lollies in boxes of six and CAPRI-SUN ice pops in a box of twelve. To choose between them, compare the recipe, the stated quantity and the number of pieces. None of these formats on its own makes up the breakfast described by Manger Bouger for children aged 4 to 17.
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Worth considering if you want to serve an individual vanilla and chocolate ice lolly. The box contains six lollies, each measuring 55 ml.
To compare its ingredients with another product, check the nutritional values and allergens on the exact box.
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Worth considering if several people want to choose from three mini ice lolly recipes. This assortment of six weighs 254 g.
The Joybuy product information for this item lists milk and possible traces of nuts, including almonds and pistachios. Check the box label before serving.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a Magnum Mini caramel recipe rather than the Classic version. The box contains six ice lollies with a total weight of 330 g.
Check the ingredients, allergens and values per portion on the packaging for this product.
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Worth considering if you’d like to try another Magnum Mini recipe in a box of six. The stated total weight is 282 g.
Check the label on the exact box for the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values per portion.
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Worth considering if you’re after orange and cherry-flavoured ice pops rather than mini chocolate-coated ice creams. The box contains twelve pops and weighs 444 g in total.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging before serving.
No, not on its own if you’re following Manger Bouger’s recommendations for children aged 4 to 17. These combine a cereal product, a dairy product and a piece of fresh fruit or a fruit purée with no added sugar. A small ice lolly can be an occasional treat, but its size doesn’t make it a substitute for this meal.
Check the information for every recipe in the box, particularly for milk, soya and nuts where these appear on the label. Depending on the product, the Magnum, Carrefour and Auchan products documented here may contain almonds or pistachios, or carry a warning that traces may be present. Only the label on the assortment you buy can confirm its exact ingredients.
Pick them up last and put them back in the freezer promptly, following the temperature stated on the packaging. The DGCCRF recommends keeping transport time to a minimum and using an insulated bag to maintain the cold chain. Don’t refreeze a product that has defrosted if its label says not to.