If the recipe is your top priority, compare the flavours, inclusions and coatings. If you’re buying for guests, look at the variety and number of ice lollies in the box. Either way, the word “premium” is no substitute for checking the ingredients, allergens and net quantity: attractive packaging alone won’t tell you what each portion contains.
You might be looking for a particular flavour, pieces of nuts or several layers of coating. The descriptions of Magnum Almond at Carrefour and Magnum Pistachio at Auchan show how recipes can differ. If you need to avoid certain ingredients, check the label on the product you choose.
For a meal or a household with different tastes, an assorted box lets you offer a choice of flavours. Auchan, for example, sells a Magnum assortment of eight ice lollies, including Almond, Classic, White Chocolate and Double Caramel. Check that the mix suits the people you’ll be sharing it with.
You may want to compare a well-known brand with a supermarket own brand without relying on the range name alone. The number of lollies, net quantity, flavours and ingredients will show you what each box actually offers.
Start with what matters most to you: a particular recipe, ingredients that are suitable for the people eating them, or a pack size that’s easy to share. Then check the exact box, as two ice lollies in the same range can differ.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Recipe and texture | Flavour, distinctive ingredients and the type of coating listed on the box. | I’m looking for an ice lolly whose flavour and layers match what I fancy, rather than one that just has enticing packaging. Around 40% of shoppers prioritise the recipe. |
| Ingredients and allergens | The ingredients list, declared allergens and any “may contain” warnings on the exact product. | If someone needs to avoid an ingredient, I need to check what’s in the product before choosing a flavour. Around 30% of shoppers put checking the label first. |
| Pack size and sharing | Number of lollies, net quantity, flavours included and space available in the freezer. | When serving several people, I want to know how many portions are in the box and whether everyone will find a flavour they like. Pack size is the priority for around 30% of shoppers. |
The term doesn’t specify the ingredients, net quantity or allergens. Two boxes described as indulgent may contain different flavours and come in different pack sizes.
Check the product name and ingredients list before comparing the coatings or inclusions highlighted on the front of the pack.
Volume in millilitres and weight in grams are different measurements. The DGCCRF explains that the air incorporated into ice cream can affect the weight for a given volume.
If both quantities are shown, compare the net weight and number of ice lollies, then check whether you like the flavours in the assortment.
The advertised flavour doesn’t list every ingredient in the recipe or any “may contain” warnings. If you need to avoid nuts, pay particular attention to products featuring almonds or pistachios.
Read the label on the box you buy, including any “may contain” warnings, rather than relying on the product name alone.
A box containing several ice lollies takes up space in the freezer. Auchan’s listings for some Magnum products say to store them at −18 °C.
Choose the number of lollies to suit the people you’re serving and the space you have, then follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
These ranges offer useful points of comparison for recipes and pack sizes, but you should still check each individual product.
Listings checked at Carrefour and Auchan include vanilla and chocolate, almond and pistachio ice lollies, as well as assorted boxes.
Carrefour’s range includes several ice lolly recipes under this name, including Double Chocolate.
E.Leclerc lists a pack of four vanilla ice lollies under this brand, coated in milk chocolate and almonds, with a stated total weight of 314 g.
These products are best suited to shoppers looking for distinctive flavours or recipes in individual portions. To choose between two boxes, compare what’s inside and check the ingredients and allergens for the product you’re interested in.
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Worth considering if you’d like to pair pistachio with a white chocolate coating. The title lists four ice lollies with a total weight of 312 g; check the ingredients and allergens on the box.
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One to consider if you’re looking for a hazelnut recipe. The title lists four ice cream bars weighing 276 g in total; check the label if you need to avoid nuts or other allergens.
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Worth comparing if chocolate is your top priority. The pack contains four ice cream bars weighing 284 g in total; read the allergen information for this product before buying.
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Another pistachio recipe to consider if you’d like several portions. The pack contains five 70 ml portions; check the net quantity on the packaging if you want to compare its weight with another box.
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Worth a look if you’d like a change from the chocolate or nut recipes mentioned above. The title lists three ice cream bars; check the net quantity, ingredients and allergens on the box before comparing it with other pack sizes.
No. It doesn’t tell you what the ice lolly contains. To compare two products, check their names, ingredients, allergens, net quantities and number of portions.
Check the net weight of both boxes before comparing quantities. The DGCCRF explains that the air incorporated into ice cream can affect its weight for the same volume, so don’t treat a number of millilitres as equivalent to the same number of grams.
Read the written allergen information on the product you’re buying, along with its ingredients list and any “may contain” warnings. The DGCCRF states that allergens in frozen products must be declared in writing; the flavour name alone is no substitute for checking the label.
An assortment is useful if your guests want a choice of flavours, but a box with just one flavour may work better if they all like the same thing. Check exactly what’s included, how many lollies there are and the allergens in each variety.
Follow the temperature and storage instructions on the box you buy. Auchan listings for Magnum ice lollies say to store them at −18 °C, so make sure you have enough room in the freezer before choosing a large pack.