Hosts looking for a verifiable Fairtrade mark
You’re planning a garden party and want to verify the Fairtrade claim on the product you buy, rather than infer it from a brand name.
Who is this choice for?
Organisers catering for a group
You’re looking for a box containing several ice lollies to make serving easier, while checking the certification of your chosen product separately.
Hosts mindful of allergens
You need to check the ingredients for each product before offering ice lollies to guests with dietary restrictions.
What should you check?
When serving chocolate ice lollies at a garden party, check the certification of the specific product first. Then choose a format that suits your gathering, without overlooking allergens or storage instructions.
| What matters | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Proof of Fairtrade certification | Look for the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar logo on the product and check which ingredients it covers. | If you want a verifiable Fairtrade claim, the certification matters more than the brand or flavour. Around 40% of consumers in this group would make this their top priority. |
| Pack size and keeping the lollies frozen | Check the number of lollies in the pack and follow the storage temperature shown on it. | When serving several guests, you’ll want to have enough lollies without taking the whole box out too early; around 30% of consumers in this group would put this planning first. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients list and check the highlighted allergens for every product you buy. | Before offering an ice lolly to a guest with dietary restrictions, you need to know what it contains. Around 30% of consumers in this group would make this their top priority. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Confusing Rainforest Alliance with Fairtrade/Max Havelaar
Magnum France says it sources cocoa and vanilla from Rainforest Alliance-certified farms. This does not prove that a particular Magnum ice lolly carries the separate Fairtrade/Max Havelaar mark.
If you’re looking for Fairtrade/Max Havelaar, check the logo and which ingredients it covers on the exact product before buying.
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Choosing a large box without checking the allergens
The number of lollies in a pack tells you nothing about what they contain. Auchan’s product listing for a box of 12 vanilla ice lollies lists milk, hazelnuts and soya, as well as possible traces of other nuts.
Read the label on the box you plan to serve and, if needed, have an alternative ready for any guests affected.
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Refreezing ice lollies after they’ve defrosted
The listing for these Auchan vanilla ice lollies says to store them at −18 °C and never to refreeze a defrosted product.
Follow the instructions on each box and only take out the lollies you’re ready to serve.
Brands and retailers to consider
Magnum
A chocolate-coated ice lolly brand to consider if you’re comparing claims about cocoa sourcing.
- Magnum France says it buys its cocoa and vanilla from Rainforest Alliance-certified farms.
- If you require Fairtrade/Max Havelaar certification, check the mark on the specific ice lolly separately.
Carrefour
A retailer whose range of ice lollies lets you compare recipes and pack sizes.
- Carrefour offers, among other options, a box of 8 vanilla, chocolate and almond ice lollies.
- The pack size and the presence of chocolate do not replace checking the certification on your chosen product.
Auchan
A retailer to check for multipacks and ingredient information.
- Auchan’s listing for 12 vanilla ice lollies gives the pack size, allergen information and storage instructions at −18 °C.
- This vanilla product should not be confused with a chocolate ice lolly carrying the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar mark.
Lidl
A retailer worth considering if you want to look for products bearing the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar mark.
- Lidl France has announced a partnership with Fairtrade/Max Havelaar.
- Check that the mark appears on the specific ice lolly you’re considering, and read the packaging to see what it covers.
Related Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
How can you check whether an ice lolly carries the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar mark?
Look for the logo on the packaging or the full product listing, then check which ingredients the information says it covers. Fairtrade/Max Havelaar France outlines the social, economic and environmental criteria associated with its mark. If the claim applies to a specific ingredient, don’t assume it covers the entire recipe.
Does Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa meet a Fairtrade/Max Havelaar requirement?
No. A Rainforest Alliance claim alone does not prove that a product carries the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar mark. Magnum France says it sources cocoa and vanilla from Rainforest Alliance-certified farms, so check the labelling on the ice lolly you’re considering separately.
What should you read on the box before serving guests with dietary restrictions?
Read the ingredients list and allergen information for each product. The DGCCRF says that allergens in pre-packed foods must be highlighted; don’t assume you know what an ice lolly contains from the brand name alone.
How should you store the ice lollies until the garden party?
Follow the temperature and instructions shown on the box you’ve bought. As a specific example, Auchan’s listing for 12 vanilla ice lollies says to store them at −18 °C and not to refreeze them after defrosting.