Anyone taking a short break
If you want to grab an ice lolly from the freezer without serving or putting away a tub, look for mini lollies and small, individually portioned treats. Carrefour and Aldi include these formats in their ranges.
Who are these formats suitable for?
Households buying several portions
A box lets you keep individual desserts ready for different breaks or for several people. However, the number of lollies alone won’t tell you how big each one is, so compare it with the stated weight or volume.
Anyone keeping an eye on ingredients
If you avoid certain ingredients or allergens, check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings for each product, even with an assorted box or a water ice lolly. Carrefour’s product listings show that these warnings vary between products.
What should you look for first?
Start with a portion that suits the length of your break, then check what’s in the box and the ingredients. A mini lolly, a standard lolly and a single-serve sorbet suit different tastes, but their format alone won’t tell you what they contain.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Portion size | Look for the word ‘mini’, then check the weight or volume per lolly if it’s provided. | If I only have a few minutes with my coffee, I’m looking for a pre-portioned treat that I can finish during my break. Around 38% of consumers would prioritise this format. |
| What’s in the box | Compare the number of pieces with the total weight or volume: the same number of lollies doesn’t necessarily mean portions of the same size. | If I’m buying ice lollies for several breaks or people, I want a box with portions that suit how we’ll enjoy them. Around 31% of consumers would prioritise this need. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients and any ‘contains’ or ‘may contain’ warnings for the exact product. Check the nutrition information too if you’re comparing recipes. | If I need to avoid an ingredient, the size and flavour won’t tell me whether a recipe is suitable. Around 31% of consumers would put ingredients first. |
What should you watch out for?
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Assuming ‘mini’ tells you what’s in it
‘Mini’ describes the size of the lolly, not its sugar content or allergens. Creamy or coated recipes, for example, may contain milk and carry warnings about nuts.
Choose a format for its portion size, then check the ingredients, allergens and nutrition information for that product.
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Assuming a water ice lolly is allergen-free
Carrefour’s listing for an orange and lemon water ice lolly warns that it may contain traces of milk, egg, soya, peanuts and nuts, among other allergens.
If you need to avoid certain foods, check the warnings on the packaging of the product you buy instead of relying on its flavour or category.
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Choosing based on the number of lollies alone
Two boxes containing several lollies may differ in total weight and portion size. So a large box doesn’t necessarily mean it contains small lollies suited to a short break.
Check both the number of pieces and the stated weight or volume to find the portion size you want.
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Letting your ice lollies warm up after buying them
The DGCCRF advises that a rise in temperature can affect how safely food keeps and increase microbiological risks.
Pick up frozen products at the end of your shop, keep transport time to a minimum and put them back in the freezer promptly, following the instructions on the packaging.
Brands to know when comparing formats
Magnum
Magnum offers coated ice cream lollies, including mini versions, for anyone looking for this kind of treat to enjoy with their coffee.
- Carrefour lists boxes of Magnum mini lollies in various pack sizes.
- The mini format doesn’t tell you about allergens. Check for warnings about milk and nuts in particular, depending on the product.
Carrefour Classic’ et Carrefour Extra
These ranges let you compare standard lollies, mini assortments and water ice lollies.
- Examples listed by Carrefour include an assortment of eight mini lollies and a box of standard lollies.
- Ingredients and ‘may contain’ warnings vary by recipe, so check each variety in an assortment.
Trium
E.Leclerc’s Marque Repère range includes frozen desserts in boxes with several portions.
- Its range gives you the chance to compare different flavours and individually portioned products.
- Products listed by E.Leclerc include cones and ice cream bars, so check the shape if you’re specifically looking for an ice lolly on a stick.
Mucci
Aldi’s range includes mini lollies as well as frozen lollies in other formats.
- Aldi lists, among other products, a box of 12 mini lollies weighing 429 g.
- Check the recipe and portion size of the box you choose: not all Mucci products are minis.
Auchan
Auchan’s range includes lollies, mini lollies and ice cream bars from various brands.
- These categories let you compare shapes and formats before choosing a recipe.
- An ice cream bar isn’t necessarily an ice lolly, so check the product format and ingredients for each one.
Single-serve ice lollies available on Joybuy
This selection includes a mini ice cream lolly, sorbets and other individually portioned frozen treats in boxes containing several portions. For a short break, compare their formats before choosing a flavour. Remember to check the allergen information on the packaging you buy.
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CAPRI-SUN Orange & Cherry Ice Pops, 12 pieces, 444 g
A box of individually portioned ice lollies to consider if you’d like to keep several portions ready for your breaks. The pack contains 12 pieces and weighs 444 g. Check the freezing instructions and allergen information on the packaging.
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Magnum Mini Classic, 6 lollies, 55 ml each
The mini format is a good choice if you’d prefer a small, individually portioned ice cream for your break. The box contains six 55 ml lollies. Check the allergen information for this recipe before buying.
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POP FRUIT 100% Coconut, 4 sorbet lollies, 280 g
A sorbet lolly to consider if you prefer this kind of treat to a coated ice cream. The box contains four pieces and weighs 280 g; it isn’t labelled as a mini format. Check the portion size and allergen information on the packaging.
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Binggrae Melona Melon, 8 lollies, 70 ml each
The eight individually portioned lollies may suit several breaks, although this product isn’t presented as a mini format. Each lolly is listed as 70 ml. The product information lists milk and includes a warning that the colour E102 may affect activity and attention in children.
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Maison de la Glace Water Ice Pops, 5 flavours, 12 pieces, 1 200 g
This assortment lets you keep several water ice lollies ready for different breaks. It contains five flavours and 12 pieces, weighing 1 200 g. Check the size of each portion and the allergen warnings on the packaging, and don’t assume that every flavour has the same ingredients.
Frequently asked questions
Is a mini ice lolly always best for a short coffee break?
A mini ice lolly is a good choice if you’re mainly looking for a small, individually portioned treat. Its size won’t tell you what the recipe contains, so check the weight or volume per piece, ingredients and allergens.
Are water ice lollies always free from milk and allergens?
No. Carrefour’s listing for an orange and lemon water ice lolly warns that it may contain traces of milk and other allergens. If you need to avoid an ingredient, check the warnings on the packaging of the product you buy.
How should you store ice lollies between shopping and your coffee break?
Keep frozen treats cold and return them to the freezer promptly, following the instructions on the packaging. The DGCCRF advises that a rise in temperature can encourage microbial growth, so pick up frozen products at the end of your shop and keep transport time to a minimum.
Is Nutri-Score enough to compare two ice lollies?
No. According to Santé publique France, Nutri-Score is a simplified nutrition label that complements the nutrition declaration. If it appears on the packs you’re comparing, also check the nutrition values, ingredients, portion size and allergens.