If Fairtrade is your deciding factor when choosing chocolate ice lollies, check for the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar logo on the packaging of the product you’ve chosen. If the logo includes an arrow, read the information on the back to see which ingredients are covered and how they’re traced. A Rainforest Alliance claim on its own doesn’t meet this requirement. If you’re serving ice lollies at Fête de la Musique, also check the allergens and the number of lollies in each box, and make sure you can keep them frozen until they’re ready to serve.
You want to be able to check the Fairtrade claim on the packaging, rather than infer it from a general mention of cocoa. Max Havelaar France recommends reading the back of the packaging when an arrow appears alongside the logo.
Individual portions are convenient for handing out, provided you can transport and keep the ice lollies frozen until they’re ready to serve.
Check the ingredients and allergen information for each product you plan to serve your guests, rather than relying on the flavour or brand name.
To get ready to serve, first shortlist products that meet your Fairtrade requirements, then check their ingredients and packaging, and make sure you have a way to keep them frozen.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| What the Fairtrade label covers | Look for the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar logo on the packaging. If it includes an arrow, check the back for details of the ingredients covered and how they’re traced. | I want to be able to verify the Fairtrade credentials of the relevant ingredients without confusing different labels. Around 31% of consumers would put this Fairtrade proof at the top of their list. |
| Keeping the ice lollies frozen until serving | Check the recommended storage temperature and plan how you’ll transport and store the ice lollies frozen until you hand them out. | If I’m serving ice lollies outdoors, I need to keep them frozen during the journey and while they’re waiting to be served. Keeping them frozen would be the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Allergens and ingredients | Read the ingredients list and allergen information for the exact product, including any statements about possible traces. | Before serving my guests, I need to know whether the ingredients in an ice lolly are suitable for anyone with relevant allergies. Around 25% of consumers would put this check first. |
| Pack size and quantity | Compare the number of ice lollies in each box and the net weight. Also check the weight per portion, if shown. | When planning how to hand them out, I want to know how many portions I’ll have rather than judge by the apparent size of the box. Around 19% of consumers would prioritise this when choosing a pack. |
Magnum describes the cocoa in some of its products as Rainforest Alliance certified. This claim doesn’t prove that the ice lolly carries the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar label you’re looking for.
If Fairtrade is essential, look for its logo on the packaging of the specific product you’re considering. If there’s an arrow next to the logo, read the details on the back.
A selection of ice lollies can help you compare formats, but seeing a product in that section doesn’t, by itself, tell you whether it’s Fairtrade certified.
Check the packaging of the ice lolly you’ve chosen, either online if all sides are shown or on the box in store.
An individually wrapped ice lolly is still a frozen product. The DGCCRF advises that a rise in temperature can increase food-related risks.
Keep the time between buying the ice lollies and putting them in the freezer to a minimum, use an insulated bag for the journey and follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
Two boxes that look similar may contain different numbers of ice lollies. The weight of an ice cream can also vary even when the volume is the same, particularly depending on how much air has been incorporated, as the DGCCRF explains.
Compare the number of portions and the net weight before deciding how many boxes to buy for your group.
These brands offer different starting points, but their inclusion here doesn’t mean that any specific ice lolly is Fairtrade.
An Auchan product listing for a 414 g tub of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream mentions Fairtrade ingredients, including sugar, cocoa and vanilla. This information relates to the tub described, not an ice lolly from the brand.
Magnum makes ice lollies and describes the cocoa in some products as Rainforest Alliance certified. This is a separate scheme from Fairtrade/Max Havelaar.
Carrefour France sells ice lollies under several of its own-label brands. For this purpose, you’ll need to check each box individually.
Don’t assume that from the logo alone. For a composite product with an arrow alongside the logo, Max Havelaar France advises checking the back of the packaging to find out which ingredients are covered and what type of traceability is indicated.
The Rainforest Alliance claim isn’t enough to establish that a Magnum is Fairtrade/Max Havelaar certified: these are separate schemes. If Fairtrade is your requirement, check that the specific product you choose carries the label itself.
Check the written allergen information for the exact product. The DGCCRF states that allergens must be indicated in writing for frozen products, including those that aren’t pre-packed.
Keep the time between buying the ice lollies and putting them in the freezer to a minimum, transport the boxes in an insulated bag if possible and follow the temperatures shown on their labels, as advised by the DGCCRF. Before you buy, also make sure you’ll be able to keep the ice lollies frozen until they’re ready to serve.