To choose a chocolate ice cream with Fairtrade certification for Candlemas, check that the specific product and the ingredients it covers carry the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar mark. Another cocoa certification does not meet the same requirement. If you’re happy to choose a tub rather than an ice lolly, Ben & Jerry’s French product page confirms this certification for Cookie Vermont-ster. If you specifically want an ice lolly, check its own label before buying.
You want to tell the difference between Fairtrade/Max Havelaar certification that applies to the ice cream or some of its ingredients and a general reference to fair trade. Check exactly what the mark covers on the product you choose.
You’re looking for individual portions to share at Candlemas. Check the format, availability at your chosen shop and the certification of the specific ice lolly separately: the fact that it’s in the ice lolly aisle doesn’t prove it is certified.
You compare the ingredients in a specific product, particularly if you have an allergy or intolerance. The DGCCRF says that allergens must be highlighted in the ingredients list on pre-packed food.
When choosing chocolate ice cream for Candlemas, first decide whether Fairtrade proof or an ice lolly format matters more to you, then check the ingredients and availability of the exact product.
Consider this if: documented certification matters more to you than individual portions. Ben & Jerry’s France describes Cookie Vermont-ster as a tub and specifies which ingredients in the recipe are Fairtrade.
Bear in mind: a tub isn’t a substitute for an ice lolly, and the Fairtrade mark doesn’t mean that every ingredient is certified.
Consider this if: everyone needs to be able to pick up an individual ice lolly.
Check: the product page or packaging for your chosen ice lolly must show a Fairtrade/Max Havelaar mark that applies to it. The format alone doesn’t prove certification.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade proof | Look for the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar mark on the specific product and check which ingredients it covers. | I want to know exactly what the mark certifies before choosing my ice cream. Around 40% of consumers would put this proof at the top of their priorities. |
| Recipe and allergens | Read the ingredients list for the product you’ve chosen, check which allergens are highlighted and look for any “may contain” statements. | If the ingredients determine what I can buy, I can’t rely on information for another recipe in the range. Around 30% of consumers would put recipe suitability first. |
| Format and availability | Check how many ice lollies are in the pack and whether the product is available at your chosen shop or for collection. | If I want individual portions that are easy to share at Candlemas, I’ll first look for the right format close to home. Around 30% of consumers would put this need first. |
Magnum says its cocoa comes from Rainforest Alliance-certified farms. This doesn’t prove that a Magnum ice lolly carries Fairtrade/Max Havelaar certification.
If Fairtrade is essential to you, look for the mark on the exact product and check which ingredients it applies to.
Ben & Jerry’s France says that the Fairtrade sugar, cocoa and vanilla in Cookie Vermont-ster are combined with ingredients that aren’t certified.
Check the certification note for each recipe rather than assuming the mark applies to other ingredients or flavours.
An ice lolly freezer confirms the format on offer, not the certification of each product. The range may also vary from shop to shop.
Before you shop, open the product page for the flavour you want and check its label, allergens and availability at your chosen collection point.
These brands and retailers offer options for comparing certification marks and ice cream formats. Their inclusion here doesn’t guarantee that a Fairtrade ice lolly is available or stocked locally.
Worth considering if Fairtrade proof matters more to you than an ice lolly format.
A chocolate-coated ice lolly brand whose cocoa certification claims are worth checking carefully.
A retailer where you can compare ice lolly and ice cream bar formats.
A retailer where you can explore own-brand ice lolly multipacks.
A retailer where you can compare ice lollies, ice cream bars, cones and tubs.
Look for a Fairtrade/Max Havelaar mark that applies to the specific ice lolly, then check which ingredients it covers. Max Havelaar France describes the label as reflecting social, economic and environmental criteria. Another cocoa certification doesn’t establish the same status.
Not necessarily: what the certification covers depends on the recipe. Ben & Jerry’s France says that Cookie Vermont-ster combines Fairtrade sugar, cocoa and vanilla with ingredients that aren’t certified. So check the details for the flavour you’ve chosen.
Read the ingredients list for the exact product, including any “may contain” statements. The DGCCRF says that allergens must be highlighted in the ingredients list on pre-packed food. The ingredients in one flavour don’t necessarily apply to the whole range.
Don’t assume that every shop will have the same range. Magnum says availability varies by location and shop size, so check for the product you want at the shop or collection point where you plan to shop.