Hosts planning an ice-cold dessert to share
If several guests are likely to choose an ice lolly, count the portions rather than relying on the size of the box. The options listed by Carrefour, Auchan and E.Leclerc include boxes of 6 to 20 pieces.
Who are these pack sizes suited to?
Anyone looking for a variety of smaller portions
After a savoury buffet, mini ice lollies let guests choose a flavour without having a large portion. Carrefour and Auchan, for example, offer assorted packs of 8 and 10 pieces. Check the ingredients on the pack you choose.
Families considering portions to take away
An individually wrapped ice lolly can be easy to hand out, but a lunchbox is only suitable if the product can actually be kept cold during transport. Anses highlights the importance of maintaining the cold chain.
What should you look for before buying?
Start with the number of pieces, then check the flavours and ingredients. Before choosing a pack to take away or serve later, make sure you can keep it frozen.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Number of portions | Count the people who might have an ice lolly, then compare the number of pieces and the total weight of the boxes. | If ice lollies are the dessert for a group, I want to have enough without assuming that a bigger box contains more portions; around 46% of consumers might prioritise the number of pieces. |
| Flavours and ingredients | Compare the recipes on offer and read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack. | When guests have different tastes or dietary requirements, I want to offer a suitable choice without relying on the name of the assortment alone; variety and ingredients might come first for around 36% of consumers. |
| Serving and keeping them frozen | Check the portion size and plan transport and storage that will maintain the cold chain. | If I’m handing out the ice lollies individually or taking one in a lunchbox, the main thing is being able to keep it frozen until it’s eaten; this might be a priority for around 18% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Using the weight of the box to estimate the number of portions
A heavier box doesn’t necessarily contain more ice lollies. The pack sizes listed by Carrefour, Auchan, E.Leclerc and Aldi range from 6 to 20 pieces.
Check the number of pieces, total weight and whether they’re mini or standard size, then adjust the quantity to suit the guests who might want dessert.
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Assuming an assortment will suit every guest
Ingredients vary from one product to another. The chocolate products listed by Carrefour include milk, for example, while its Carrefour Extra assortment also lists soya and almonds.
Before serving, check the ingredients and allergens on each pack you’ve bought. Don’t assume another box from the same brand has the same ingredients.
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Relying on an ordinary lunchbox to keep ice lollies frozen
Individual portions still need to be kept frozen. According to Anses, keeping food at a low temperature helps limit the growth of micro-organisms.
Buy frozen food last, transport it in an insulated bag and keep the journey as short as possible, then put it in the freezer as soon as you can. If you’re using a lunchbox, make sure you can keep it cold until it’s eaten.
Brands and retailers to consider
Magnum
Carrefour lists a 285 g box of 6 Magnum chocolate mini ice lollies; Auchan lists an assortment of 10 Classic, Almond and White Chocolate mini ice lollies.
- The smaller portions and, depending on the product, range of flavours can work well for sharing with a small group.
- The recipes mentioned contain milk. Also check the allergens in the specific assortment you choose, particularly almonds.
Carrefour
Carrefour lists a pack of 12 Classic’ chocolate and vanilla ice lollies, as well as an Extra assortment of 8 mini ice lollies weighing 32 g.
- These two options let you choose between more pieces and smaller assorted portions.
- The Extra assortment mentioned lists milk, soya and almonds, among other ingredients. Check the label before serving.
Auchan
Auchan lists its Fruity Mix organic range, including a 350 g box of 6 fruit ice lollies, as well as a Magnum assortment of 10 pieces.
- The Fruity Mix option mentioned is made with water and fruit, making it different from creamy, chocolate-coated ice lollies.
- The box contains six pieces, so check whether that’s enough for the planned serving and read the label for the ingredients.
E.Leclerc / Marque Repère
E.Leclerc lists an SMICY assortment of 20 sticks weighing 850 g in its Marque Repère range.
- The number of pieces shown gives you a useful guide when planning dessert for a larger group.
- Check the ingredients on the pack you choose and make sure you have enough room in the freezer before opting for this size.
Aldi / Mucci
Aldi lists a 429 g box of 12 Mucci mini ice lollies.
- This number of mini portions could work well if several people want an ice lolly each.
- Check the pack details and availability at your local store before planning to serve them.
Joybuy products for different needs
These boxes let you compare creamy ice lollies, frozen treats with fruity flavours and different numbers of pieces. Choose one to suit the dessert you have in mind, then check the ingredients and storage instructions for the product you select.
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ABC JELLY Fruity Jelly Bar, assorted, 850 g
An assortment to consider if you’d rather have a range of fruity flavours than a chocolate-based recipe. These frozen treats need to be frozen before serving. Check the ingredients on the pack you buy.
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Magnum Mini Classic, Almond and White Chocolate, 6 pieces, 254 g
For a small gathering where having a choice of three flavours matters, this box contains six mini ice lollies. Check the allergens on the exact pack you buy and plan for more pieces if more than six guests are likely to have one.
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CAPRI-SUN Orange & Cherry Ice Pops, 12 pieces, 444 g
A good option if you need 12 orange and cherry portions rather than a mix of different flavours. Check the allergens on the box and keep the products frozen; don’t refreeze them once they’ve defrosted.
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Binggrae Melona Melon, 8 × 70 ml
Eight melon ice lollies for a group that prefers a creamy recipe to a water-based frozen treat. Check the ingredients if any guests need to avoid milk. The label also carries a warning about colour E102 and its effect on children’s activity and attention.
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Solero Berry, 4 × 90 ml
A box of four ice lollies combining red berries and vanilla ice cream, best suited to a small number of portions or paired with another box. The recipe contains milk, so check the label before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How many ice lollies should you buy for a buffet-style drinks party?
Base the quantity on how many guests are likely to choose this dessert, rather than on the weight of the box alone. The options listed by Carrefour, Auchan, Aldi and E.Leclerc include packs of 6 to 20 pieces. A smaller pack can complement other desserts, while a larger pack provides more portions.
Can you take an ice lolly in a lunchbox to eat later?
Yes, but only if you can maintain the cold chain until it’s eaten. For the journey home after shopping, Anses recommends picking up frozen food last, using an insulated bag and keeping the journey as short as possible. An ordinary lunchbox alone isn’t enough to guarantee that it will stay frozen.
Which allergens should you check in an assortment of mini ice lollies?
Always check the allergens listed on the specific pack you’re going to serve. Some of the chocolate recipes listed by Carrefour contain milk, and the Carrefour Extra assortment also lists soya and almonds. The ingredients in one box don’t tell you what’s in another.
How should you compare the nutritional information on two boxes?
Compare the nutritional values on a like-for-like basis, particularly per 100 g, then look separately at the number and size of the portions. The DGCCRF states that prepacked foods are generally required to include a nutrition declaration, subject to the exceptions set out in the regulations.