If Fairtrade is your top priority, choose an ice lolly with the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar mark on the packaging, and read the accompanying information about the ingredients covered and their traceability. Rainforest Alliance certification for cocoa is a separate scheme and does not prove that the ice cream is Fairtrade. For back-to-school snacks, also check the allergens and number of portions, and make sure you can transport and store the lollies at the right temperature.
You want to see the information on the packaging itself. Max Havelaar France advises checking the details on the back when an arrow appears alongside the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar mark. This explains which ingredients are covered and how they are traced.
The number of ice lollies and the ingredients in each variety matter just as much as the space available in your freezer. If the pack contains several flavours, check the allergens in each one before stocking up.
Rainforest Alliance certification may suit your criteria if you are not specifically looking for Fairtrade/Max Havelaar. Keep the two schemes separate and check the information for the product you are considering.
For chocolate ice lollies to serve as back-to-school snacks, start with the label if Fairtrade is important to you. Then check the recipe suits your household before choosing a pack size and planning how to keep it cold on the way home.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade label | Look for Fairtrade/Max Havelaar on the pack and read the information about the ingredients covered and their traceability. Rainforest Alliance certification is not a substitute for this label. | If I’m looking for a Fairtrade product, I want to know what the label covers on a multi-ingredient ice cream rather than rely on a general claim about the cocoa. Around 36% of shoppers would make this proof their priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients list, highlighted allergens and any “may contain” warnings for each variety. | If a flavour needs to be suitable for someone with an allergy, I can’t rely on the brand alone. Around 29% of shoppers would put dietary suitability first. |
| Number of portions | Compare the number of lollies, whether they are mini or regular-sized, and the net weight. Don’t assume that two boxes will provide the same number of snacks. | When planning several snacks, I look for portions that suit everyone in my household. Around 21% of shoppers would put portion size at the top of their list. |
| Transport and storage | Take an insulated bag and check that your freezer can keep frozen food at −18 °C if you plan to store the lollies until the date shown. | If I have a long journey or am stocking up, I need to be able to get the ice lollies home and put them away quickly. Around 14% of shoppers would prioritise storage. |
Magnum says that it uses Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa in some products. This does not prove that an ice lolly carries the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar mark.
If Fairtrade is essential to your choice, look for the label on the exact pack you are planning to buy.
On a multi-ingredient ice cream, the presence of a label does not necessarily mean that all the ingredients are traced in the same way. Max Havelaar France advises reading the details on the back when an arrow appears alongside the logo.
Check this information to see which ingredients are covered and understand whether mass balance is used.
The Magnum White Chocolate x4 product information lists milk and states that the product may contain almonds and pistachios. This information does not apply to the brand’s other recipes.
Before choosing an assortment, read the ingredients and warnings for each variety. The DGCCRF reminds shoppers that allergens must be clearly highlighted on food labels.
Buying a pack for several snacks also means planning how to transport and store frozen food properly.
Anses recommends picking up frozen food last, carrying it in an insulated bag and keeping the journey short. If you want to store it until the date shown, check the −18 °C storage guidance from the Ministry of Agriculture.
Chocolate-coated ice cream sticks and multipacks to compare product by product, especially if you are considering a cocoa certification other than Fairtrade.
A retailer where you can browse frozen ice cream sticks in different pack sizes, including Carrefour own-brand products.
Another retailer where you can compare the ice cream sticks and mini sticks available at your chosen store.
A retailer to check product by product if you are looking for an ice cream stick made with cocoa carrying a recognisable certification.
This selection features an assortment of mini chocolate ice lollies for individual portions. If you are specifically looking for Fairtrade/Max Havelaar, check the label on the packaging: Rainforest Alliance cocoa certification is not a substitute.
Image unavailable
An assortment of six mini ice cream sticks, with a choice of portion sizes for snack time.
Classic, Almond and White Chocolate varieties; stated total weight: 254 g. Before buying for someone with an allergy, check the ingredients for each variety on the pack.
Look for the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar label on the pack of the product you have chosen. For a multi-ingredient ice cream, Max Havelaar France advises reading the details on the back when an arrow appears alongside the logo. This explains which ingredients are covered and how they are traced.
No. Rainforest Alliance and Fairtrade/Max Havelaar are separate schemes. Magnum says that it uses Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa in some products. If Fairtrade is what you are looking for, check the label on the ice lolly in question.
Yes. Read the ingredients and warnings for each recipe in the pack. The DGCCRF reminds shoppers that allergens must be clearly highlighted on the labels of relevant foods. The ingredients in one flavour do not tell you what is in the others.
Pick up frozen food at the end of your shopping trip, use an insulated bag and keep the journey short, as recommended by Anses. To store the lollies until the date shown, the Ministry of Agriculture says a three-star compartment at −18 °C is suitable. Check the instructions on the pack and your appliance.
Don’t assume it will be available in every store. Check the range at the retailer you plan to visit. Magnum notes in particular that its products’ availability may vary depending on the location and size of the store. Once you find the product, check its packaging for the label and allergens.