Who is this option for?

Hosts who value verifiable certification

You want to be able to spot the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar label on the pack and tell your guests which ingredients in the ice lolly it applies to, rather than relying on a general claim about the cocoa.

Hosts who prefer individual portions

If you want to serve your guests without sharing a tub, compare the number of lollies, portion sizes, allergens and the space available in your freezer.

Shoppers interested in artisan or organic recipes

You look at the ingredients or where an ice lolly is made, while keeping these features distinct from Fairtrade certification for the product you choose.

What should you check?

For a buffet-style drinks party, first decide whether the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar label is essential. Then check the portions and recipe before choosing a chocolate ice lolly.

Criterion What to check Who is it for?
Fair-trade certification The Fairtrade/Max Havelaar logo on the pack; for a composite product such as ice cream, check which ingredients are covered and read the details on the back. I want to distinguish product certification from a simple claim about its cocoa. Around 42% of consumers put this proof at the top of their list of concerns.
Portions to serve The number of lollies in each box and the weight or volume of each one. I want to serve each guest without cutting up the ice cream, so I prefer enough individual portions. Around 25% of consumers put ease of serving ahead of other criteria.
Allergens and ingredients The ingredients list and any allergens highlighted on each pre-packed product. If guests need to avoid certain ingredients, I check each recipe before choosing a dessert. Around 17% of consumers prioritise this compatibility above all else.
Availability of your chosen product Whether the exact product is available locally and what its packaging says, rather than the retailer’s range in general. I want to be able to find the lollies I’ve chosen when it’s time to prepare for the party, without assuming that a Fairtrade section includes this particular ice lolly. For around 16% of consumers, finding their chosen product is their main concern.

Things to avoid confusing

  • Assuming Rainforest Alliance means Fairtrade

    Magnum says it uses cocoa and vanilla sourced from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms. This initiative doesn’t prove that a Magnum ice lolly carries the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar label.

    If this label is important to you, look for its logo on the product you’re buying and read the details on the packaging.

  • Relying on a retailer’s general commitment

    A retailer that sells Fairtrade products doesn’t guarantee that a particular chocolate ice lolly is certified or available in your local shop.

    Check the exact product, its logo and local availability before adding it to your menu.

  • Forgetting about allergens in individual portions

    The lolly format doesn’t tell you what’s in the recipe: ingredients and allergens vary from one product to another.

    Read the label on each ice lolly you choose, and have another option ready if the ingredients aren’t suitable for some guests.

  • Working out portions from the total weight

    Two boxes of a similar weight won’t necessarily serve the same number of people if the lollies differ in size or quantity.

    Count the lollies, then check the quantity per lolly and how much freezer space you’ll need.

Brands and retailers to know

Ben & Jerry’s

A brand to consider if a tub would also work for your drinks party, rather than individual ice lollies.

  • Ben & Jerry’s says it sources five ingredients for its ice creams under Fairtrade terms: sugar, cocoa, vanilla, coffee and bananas.
  • This statement doesn’t mean a particular ice lolly carries the label, so check the product and its packaging before buying.

Ferme de la Grande Fontaine

A producer offering an individual chocolate ice lolly whose product details describe the chocolate and cocoa as fair-trade.

  • The product details give a serving size of 90 ml / 90 g and state that it should be stored at -18 °C.
  • A claim about fair-trade ingredients isn’t enough to establish that the ice lolly is certified by Fairtrade/Max Havelaar. Check the pack if this label is essential.

Magnum

A brand of ice lollies to consider if individual portions matter more to you than the Fairtrade label.

  • Magnum says it sources cocoa and vanilla from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms.
  • Rainforest Alliance is separate from Fairtrade/Max Havelaar: Magnum’s stated initiative doesn’t certify an ice lolly under the latter label.

Naïce

A producer of ice lollies to consider if artisan production in Provence is part of what you’re looking for.

  • Naïce says it makes its ice lollies in its workshop in Provence.
  • Where a product is made doesn’t tell you whether it has fair-trade certification, so check the ingredients and labels on the product you choose.

Lidl France

A retailer where you can look for Fairtrade products, without assuming that its chocolate ice lollies carry this label.

  • Lidl France promotes a range of Fairtrade-certified products.
  • For your party, check whether the exact ice lolly is available in store and look for its logo on the packaging.

Joybuy products

Products related to this topic will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can you tell if an ice lolly is Fairtrade/Max Havelaar certified?

Look for the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar logo on the pack. Max Havelaar France explains that, for composite products such as ice cream, a label with an arrow means you should check the back of the packaging to find out which ingredients are covered and how they can be traced.

Is a “fair-trade cocoa” claim enough to prove this certification?

No. It describes the cocoa using the manufacturer’s own wording, but it doesn’t replace the product’s Fairtrade/Max Havelaar logo. So, if you’re buying an artisan ice lolly, distinguish this claim from the certification you’re looking for.

What should you check if a guest has a food allergy?

Read the ingredients and any allergens highlighted on each pre-packed product. The DGCCRF advises checking this information on the label; don’t assume you know what’s in an ice lolly from its flavour or format alone.

How should you store the ice lollies before the party?

Follow the storage instructions for the product you’ve bought and make sure you have enough room in the freezer. For example, the chocolate ice lolly from Ferme de la Grande Fontaine should be stored at -18 °C. Check the packaging of other products separately.

Which retailers in France should you check for Fairtrade ice lollies?

Retailers that sell Fairtrade products can be a good place to start, but always check the ice lolly itself. Max Havelaar France mentions Aldi, as well as occasional products at Carrefour and E.Leclerc, as places to find labelled products. This doesn’t guarantee that a particular ice lolly will be available in your local shop.