If you want a small evening treat
If you’re after an individual frozen dessert without immediately reaching for a large ice lolly, compare the mini sizes and check the volume or weight given per lolly.
Who are these formats for?
If you fancy vanilla and chocolate
If a chocolate coating matters more to you than a smaller size, compare the recipes and classic formats as well as minis. Check the ingredients of the version you choose, especially if you have a milk or nut allergy.
If you prefer fruity flavours
If you’d rather have a sorbet than vanilla ice cream with a chocolate coating, compare the flavours, ingredients and number of lollies in the box.
What should you look for first?
Mini ice lollies
Worth considering: if a small individual portion is your main priority.
Bear in mind: ‘mini’ describes the size, not the sugar content or allergens.
Classic ice lollies
Worth considering: if you’re looking for vanilla ice cream coated in chocolate and aren’t prioritising a mini size.
Bear in mind: check the amount in each lolly before comparing it with a mini.
Sorbet lollies
Worth considering: if fruity flavour matters more to you than vanilla and chocolate.
Bear in mind: the word ‘sorbet’ doesn’t mean you can skip checking the ingredients and nutritional information.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Portion size | Volume or weight per lolly; number of lollies in the box. | I want a little frozen treat in the evening, without automatically choosing a large lolly. Around 29% of consumers would prioritise portion size. |
| Flavour and type of dessert | Ice cream or sorbet; the flavour and coating of the specific product. | For me, the choice comes down to vanilla and chocolate or a fruity flavour. Taste is said to be the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Ingredients | Ingredients and allergens in each version; sugars per portion and per 100 g or 100 ml. | Before choosing a flavour, I need to know what’s in the lolly, especially if there’s an ingredient I need to avoid. Ingredients are said to come first for around 36% of consumers. |
| Pack size | Number of lollies, total weight and what’s included in each assorted pack. | I’m planning several snacks and want a box with flavours and quantities that suit me. Around 14% of consumers would put convenience first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming ‘mini’ means less sugar
A smaller lolly doesn’t necessarily have a lower sugar content for the same amount of product.
Compare the sugar information for the product you’re considering, per 100 g or 100 ml and, if shown on the pack, per lolly.
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Checking only one flavour in an assorted pack
Ingredients can differ from one lolly to another. Some recipes may contain milk, nuts or soya.
If you have an allergy, check the ingredients and warnings for every variety in the pack before buying.
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Letting your lollies melt on the way home
Transport matters when choosing a frozen dessert too: you need to be able to put it back in the freezer promptly.
Pick up frozen food at the end of your shop, as recommended by Anses, and follow the storage instructions on the pack.
Brands to consider
Magnum
The range includes vanilla and chocolate ice lollies in classic and mini sizes, with different recipes depending on the product.
- The Magnum Classic mini lolly is listed at 55 ml per unit.
- Ingredients vary by flavour; check the pack you choose for milk and nuts in particular.
Auchan
The retailer’s range includes an own-brand assortment of mini lollies, sold in a box of eight.
- The assorted pack lets you choose from several coatings in one box.
- Check the ingredients for every variety, especially if milk, almonds or soya are a concern for you.
Oasis
Auchan lists fruity sorbet lollies, including peach and apple, tropical and mixed-fruit flavours.
- These products let you compare fruity sorbet with vanilla and chocolate ice cream.
- Check the ingredients and nutritional information for the specific flavour rather than relying on the fruit name alone.
Pilpa
Auchan lists a Pilpa assortment of mini vanilla lollies coated in dark chocolate.
- The box described contains eight mini lollies.
- Check the ingredients and allergens for the specific assortment before choosing it.
Products to compare by format
These Joybuy products include ice lollies, a mini format, water ices and a sorbet lolly. For an evening snack, compare the amount per unit where it’s given, then check the ingredients for each product.
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MIKO Donut Chocolate & Cookies, 4 × 62 ml
Worth considering if you’re looking for an individual chocolate and biscuit ice lolly.
The box contains four lollies, each measuring 62 ml. If allergens are important to you, check the pack for information about milk, wheat and soya.
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CAPRI-SUN Orange & Cherry Ice Pops, 12 pieces (444 g)
An option to compare if you’d prefer orange and cherry water ices to a coated ice lolly.
The pack contains twelve pieces, weighing 444 g in total. If you need to avoid certain ingredients, check the allergen warnings on the pack.
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POP FRUIT 100% Coconut, sorbet lollies, 4 pieces (280 g)
Worth comparing if you’re after coconut sorbet rather than vanilla and chocolate ice cream.
The box contains four lollies, weighing 280 g in total. If you have dietary restrictions, check the ingredients and allergen warnings on the pack.
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Magnum Mini Classic, 6 × 55 ml
Worth considering if you’d like vanilla ice cream coated in chocolate in a mini size.
The box contains six lollies, each measuring 55 ml. Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on the pack for this product.
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MAGNUM Vanilla Almond, 8 lollies (600 g)
Vanilla and almond ice cream to compare with mini lollies if you like this flavour.
The box contains eight lollies, weighing 600 g in total. Before comparing portions, check the weight or volume of each lolly on the pack. If you have an allergy, also check the information about milk and nuts.
Frequently asked questions
Is a mini ice lolly always lower in sugar than a classic one?
No. ‘Mini’ refers to the size, not the sugar content. To compare two recipes, check the sugar per 100 g or 100 ml, then check the amount in each lolly if the pack gives this information.
Which allergens should you check in an assorted pack?
Read the ingredients and warnings for every variety in the pack. Depending on the recipes, they may contain milk, almonds, pistachios or soya; the flavour of one lolly won’t tell you what’s in the others.
How should you transport ice lollies after shopping?
Pick up frozen food at the end of your shop, as recommended by Anses, and keep the journey home as short as possible before putting the lollies back in the freezer. Then follow the storage instructions on the pack.