Who is this choice for?

Cyclists looking for Fairtrade proof

You want to check for the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar label on the ice lolly itself, rather than relying on a brand’s or retailer’s general commitment.

Cyclists who fancy an ice lolly after a ride

You plan to enjoy a chocolate ice lolly after your ride, somewhere it can be kept frozen, rather than taking it with you as fuel during your ride.

Shoppers who check what’s in their food

You compare portion sizes, sugars, fat, ingredients and allergens to find a recipe that suits your dietary needs.

What should you check?

When choosing a chocolate ice lolly in this context, check for Fairtrade proof on the product, how it needs to be stored, and then the nutritional information and ingredients for that specific product.

What to check Look for Who is this for?
Fairtrade proof Look for the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar label on the packaging. If there’s an arrow alongside it, read the details on the back about the ingredients covered and traceability, as explained by Fairtrade/Max Havelaar France. If I’m looking for an ice lolly with visible certification on the product, a brand’s general policy isn’t enough; around 42% of consumers prioritise this proof.
When to eat it and keeping it frozen Leave frozen foods until the end of your shop, use an insulated bag for the journey home and put them in the freezer as soon as possible, following ANSES advice. After cycling, I want to enjoy my ice lolly without it melting on the way home; keeping it frozen is the priority for around 33% of consumers.
Portion size and ingredients Read the ingredients list and check the allergens highlighted on the packaging. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g with the portion you plan to eat. If I need to avoid certain ingredients or allergens, the exact recipe matters more than its label alone; around 25% of consumers prioritise ingredients.

Things to avoid getting confused about

  • Assuming Rainforest Alliance means Fairtrade/Max Havelaar

    Magnum France says it buys cocoa and vanilla from Rainforest Alliance-certified farms. This does not prove that a Magnum ice lolly carries the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar label.

    If Fairtrade is what you’re looking for, check for its label on the packaging of the product you choose.

  • Confusing a retailer’s commitment with product certification

    Carrefour outlines its commitment to fair trade, while ALDI describes a policy covering cocoa in certain product categories. Neither is enough to classify every chocolate ice lolly as Fairtrade.

    Check the label and product information for the item available in your shop.

  • Taking an ice lolly along as cycling fuel

    An ice lolly needs to stay frozen, which makes it difficult to keep during a ride. ANSES advice on transporting frozen food also applies to the journey from the shop to your freezer.

    Save your ice lolly for a time when you can store it properly, and plan separately what you’ll take with you on your ride.

  • Assuming the Fairtrade label tells you what’s in it

    The Fairtrade label alone doesn’t tell you the ingredients, portion size or nutritional values of an ice lolly. The DGCCRF notes that allergens must be highlighted in the ingredients list.

    Read the label for the exact recipe, paying particular attention to allergens, sugars and fat.

Brands and retailers to know

Ben & Jerry’s

Ben & Jerry’s France says all its flavours are Fairtrade certified; the French examples mentioned here are tubs of ice cream.

  • A tub could suit you if you’re looking for this kind of commitment and plan to enjoy your ice cream after your ride.
  • This information doesn’t confirm that an individual ice lolly is available to match what you’re looking for. Check the label and recipe of the product you choose.

Magnum

Magnum France sells ice cream sticks and says it buys cocoa and vanilla from Rainforest Alliance-certified farms.

  • The stick format fits the search for an ice lolly; the brand says ingredients and nutritional information are available on its packaging or product pages.
  • Rainforest Alliance is separate from Fairtrade/Max Havelaar: this sourcing policy does not certify a Magnum stick as Fairtrade.

Carrefour

Carrefour outlines its commitment to fair trade and says it stocks products covered by this commitment.

  • This commitment may help you find a product carrying a fair trade label.
  • It doesn’t prove that a particular chocolate ice lolly carries the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar label; check the packaging.

ALDI

ALDI France describes a policy of buying Fairtrade-, organic- or Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa for certain product categories.

  • The published policy gives you a starting point when checking the retailer’s cocoa products.
  • These certifications are not interchangeable, and the policy doesn’t prove that a particular ice lolly is Fairtrade. Check the product and its label.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I check the Fairtrade label on an ice lolly with multiple ingredients?

Look for the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar label on the ice lolly’s packaging. Fairtrade/Max Havelaar France explains that if there’s an arrow alongside the label, the details on the back tell you which ingredients are covered and what type of traceability applies.

Does Rainforest Alliance cocoa in a Magnum make it a Fairtrade ice lolly?

No. Magnum France’s stated approach to cocoa and vanilla isn’t proof that the stick is Fairtrade/Max Havelaar certified. If you’re specifically looking for this label, check the product packaging.

Is an ice lolly suitable as fuel during a bike ride?

An ice lolly isn’t very practical to take on a ride because it needs to be kept frozen. If you’re planning to have one on your way home or after your ride, follow ANSES advice on transporting frozen food and choose something else to take with you on your bike.

What should you compare between two chocolate ice lollies?

Compare the ingredients, allergens, nutritional values per 100 g and the portion you’ll eat. The DGCCRF notes that allergens must be highlighted in the ingredients list, so always check the label for the exact product.

Is a retailer’s fair trade commitment enough to help you choose an ice lolly?

No. A general commitment doesn’t automatically certify every ice lolly in the freezer aisle. Information published by Carrefour and ALDI may help guide your search, but you need to check the label on the ice lolly you choose.