If Fairtrade is your deciding factor when choosing a chocolate ice lolly, look for the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar mark on the product you’re considering. If the mark includes an arrow, read the information on the back of the pack to find out which ingredients it covers and how they’re traced. Then compare the serving size and recipe, check the allergens and plan to keep the product cold until you’re ready to eat it.
You want to be able to spot the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar mark on your ice lolly, rather than relying on a general sustainability claim. Max Havelaar France advises checking the back of the pack if the mark includes an arrow.
You’re after an individual chocolate treat and want to compare the recipe and size, as well as check whether it’s stocked at your usual shop.
You check the ingredients and allergens on the exact product before buying. The DGCCRF reminds shoppers that food labels must highlight allergenic ingredients.
| What to check | What to look for | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade credentials | Look for the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar mark on the product. If it includes an arrow, check the back of the pack for details of the ingredients covered and how they’re traced, as advised by Max Havelaar France. | I want my ice lolly to meet my Fairtrade requirements, not just carry a sustainability claim; around 42% of consumers would put this proof first. |
| Allergens and ingredients | Read the ingredients list and check which allergens are highlighted. If the amount you eat matters to you, compare the nutritional values per serving too. | If I need to avoid an ingredient, the mark alone isn’t enough to help me choose a suitable ice lolly; around 33% of consumers would put the ingredients first. |
| Size and availability | Compare the number of ice lollies, the amount per serving and the flavour, then check what your shop stocks. Follow the storage instructions on the pack while travelling home and once you’re there. | To enjoy with my coffee, I want a serving size that suits me and a product I can buy locally; around 25% of consumers would prioritise size and availability. |
A certification covering cocoa sourcing doesn’t, on its own, prove that the ice lolly you choose carries the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar mark.
If Fairtrade is essential to you, check the mark on the product and read the information that comes with it, rather than relying on the brand or another logo.
A sustainability certification doesn’t tell you whether a recipe is suitable for avoiding a particular food. Some chocolate ice lollies contain milk or hazelnuts, for example.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack you’re buying, including any warnings about possible traces.
The fact that Max Havelaar France lists some ice creams among products carrying its mark doesn’t guarantee that a particular ice lolly is stocked at your shop.
Check what your shop has available before you set off, then check the mark on the product on offer.
The DGCCRF reminds shoppers that keeping the cold chain intact means storing frozen food at a low temperature to preserve its quality.
If you have a long journey, take an insulated bag, head home promptly and follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
A chocolate ice lolly brand worth considering if the recipe appeals to you. Just distinguish its cocoa commitments from any Fairtrade requirement you may have.
A brand of ice lollies to consider if being made in France is one of your criteria.
A useful comparison for shoppers who want to look at a box of chocolate ice lollies and check its ingredient information.
Look for the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar mark on the product you’re considering. Max Havelaar France explains that if the mark includes an arrow, the back of the pack gives information about the ingredients covered and the type of traceability.
No. The Rainforest Alliance mark alone doesn’t prove that an ice lolly is certified by Fairtrade/Max Havelaar. Magnum France says it uses cocoa from Rainforest Alliance-certified farms; if Fairtrade is important to you, check separately for its mark on the product you’re buying.
No, the mark doesn’t replace checking the ingredients. Read the ingredients list and check the allergens highlighted on the exact packaging, as the DGCCRF advises for food labelling.
Keep them cold on the way home, then follow the instructions on the pack. One Picard ice lolly product says to store at −18 °C and not to refreeze once thawed; check the instructions for the product you’ve bought.
Start by checking the products available at your shop. Max Havelaar France lists ice creams among the products that may carry its mark, but you’ll need to check the packaging of the ice lolly available locally to make sure it’s the right choice for you.