If Fairtrade is your priority when choosing ice lollies for 14 July, check for the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar logo on the product you choose. A claim that the cocoa is ‘responsibly sourced’ does not prove that it has this certification. Then compare the number of sticks, the allergens listed for the exact recipe and the arrangements for keeping the ice lollies cold on the way to the celebration. A tub to share could be suitable if individual portions aren’t essential.
If certification matters more to you than a general brand claim, look for the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar logo on the ice cream you choose. Fairtrade / Max Havelaar France explains that a logo with an arrow means you should check the information on the back of the packaging.
If you’re serving sticks to several guests, the number of portions and the allergens in each recipe matter just as much as the flavour. Check the pack for the product you’ve chosen before deciding how many portions you’ll need.
If the ice lollies need to be taken to another venue, plan how you’ll transport them and keep them frozen. ANSES recommends using an insulated bag and minimising the time between buying them and putting them in the freezer.
For ice lollies on 14 July, check the certification you require first, then choose a format that suits the occasion and plan how you’ll transport the frozen treats.
| Criterion | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade proof | Look for the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar logo on the product. If it has an arrow, check the information on the back to see which ingredients it applies to. | If Fairtrade certification matters to me, I want to be able to check it on the ice cream being served, rather than relying on the brand’s reputation alone. Around 42% of consumers put this first. |
| Portions and allergens | Compare the number of sticks and check the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings for the exact product. | When I’m serving several guests, I want to make sure there are enough portions and take any reported allergies into account before buying. This is a priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Availability and keeping the ice cream cold | Check local availability and storage instructions; plan to use an insulated bag and keep the journey short. | If the celebration is somewhere else, I need to be able to take the ice cream there and keep it cold until it’s served. Nearly 25% of consumers would put these arrangements first. |
Magnum highlights Rainforest Alliance and the mass balance approach to cocoa in its commitments. This brand statement does not mean that an ice lolly carries the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar label.
If Fairtrade certification is a condition of your purchase, check the logo on the packaging of the product you choose and read any additional information on the back.
Ingredients and allergen warnings may vary between flavours and products. So a format that’s convenient for a group won’t necessarily suit every guest.
Find out which allergies you need to consider, then read the information on the exact pack before serving.
A journey or wait without adequate cooling can compromise the storage of frozen food. The DGCCRF stresses the importance of keeping the cold chain unbroken.
Pick up the ice cream at the end of your shop, use an insulated bag and follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
An option if you’d rather serve ice cream from a tub than individual ice lollies.
Chocolate-coated sticks to consider if the Rainforest Alliance scheme meets your requirements.
A retailer where you can compare stick formats and the information provided for each product.
A retailer worth checking, but don’t assume its ice creams are part of its Fairtrade range.
Look for the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar logo on the packaging of the product you choose. Fairtrade / Max Havelaar France explains that if the logo has an arrow, the information on the back tells you which ingredients it applies to. A general brand claim is no substitute for checking the packaging.
No, they are separate schemes. Magnum says it uses cocoa from Rainforest Alliance-certified farms and applies a mass balance approach to cocoa. This doesn’t automatically mean its sticks are Fairtrade/Max Havelaar certified.
Read the ingredients, declared allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the exact pack. The Carrefour Classic’ listing mentioned here notes possible traces of peanuts, eggs and nuts, among other things. Don’t assume the same warnings apply to another flavour or product.
Buy frozen food at the end of your shop, put it in an insulated bag and minimise the time before it goes into the freezer or is served. These steps follow ANSES advice on maintaining the cold chain, particularly in hot weather.
Don’t refreeze thawed ice cream. ANSES advises against refreezing thawed food; always follow the instructions on the packaging of the ice cream in question too.