Who is this choice for?

People who look for a Fairtrade label

You want to see the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar label on the product you buy and know exactly which ingredients in the ice cream it applies to.

People planning a dessert to share

For Mother’s Day, you’ll need to choose between individual ice lollies, smaller portions and a tub, depending on how many guests you’re serving and how you plan to serve dessert. Allergens and the journey home to the freezer matter too.

People who prefer chocolate-coated ice lollies

You’re mainly looking for an ice lolly and may be happy with a cocoa certification scheme other than Fairtrade, as long as you don’t confuse the two labels.

What should you check?

For a Mother’s Day frozen dessert, check the label first if Fairtrade is your main requirement. Then choose a format that suits how you’ll serve it and check the food information for the product you’ve selected.

Criterion What to check Who it’s for
Fairtrade proof Look for the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar label. If it includes an arrow, check the back to see which ingredients are certified and for details on their traceability. If I’m looking for a Fairtrade ice lolly, I want to be able to check the label on the box I’m buying, rather than infer it from a general claim about the cocoa. Around 42% of shoppers concerned about this put proof of certification at the top of their priorities.
Format and portions Compare the number of pieces or the net quantity, then choose between individual ice lollies and a tub to share. When several people are having dessert, I want a format that suits how I plan to serve it, even if that means choosing a tub instead of ice lollies. Format comes before other criteria for around 33% of shoppers concerned about this.
Dietary needs and storage Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for the exact product, and plan how you’ll keep it frozen on the way home. Before serving ice cream to my guests, I need to take their dietary requirements into account and keep the product cold during the journey. Around 25% of shoppers concerned about this prioritise these precautions.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Confusing Rainforest Alliance with Fairtrade

    Rainforest Alliance certification for cocoa doesn’t prove that an ice lolly carries the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar label. If that label is essential to your purchase, it’s important to distinguish between the two schemes.

    Look for the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar label on the packaging of the product you’ve chosen, rather than relying on a general statement about the cocoa.

  • Assuming the label covers the whole ice cream

    For a product made from several ingredients, information linked to the label may apply to only some ingredients and explain how they are traced.

    If the label includes an arrow, follow the reference on the back of the packaging to identify which ingredients it applies to before comparing two recipes.

  • Choosing a flavour without checking the allergens

    A chocolate ice cream may contain ingredients that aren’t suitable for some guests’ dietary requirements. You can’t identify them just by looking at it or reading its name.

    Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for the exact product you plan to serve.

  • Letting the ice cream warm up while you get everything ready

    The journey home and any stops after shopping can make it harder to keep frozen food cold. ANSES recommends picking up frozen food at the end of your shop.

    Keep the journey as short as possible, use an insulated bag if needed and put the ice cream in the freezer as soon as you get home.

Brands and retailers to know

Ben & Jerry’s

Worth considering if you’re happy with a tub of ice cream instead of ice lollies: an Auchan product page states that Ben & Jerry’s ice cream sold in Europe is Fairtrade Max Havelaar certified for its sugar, cocoa and vanilla.

  • The product page clearly links the certification to these ingredients.
  • The product shown is a 414 g tub, not an ice lolly. Check the flavour and label on the packaging you choose.

Magnum

A brand of chocolate-coated ice lollies for people who are happy with a cocoa certification scheme other than Fairtrade.

  • According to the French Magnum website, the cocoa used by the brand comes from Rainforest Alliance-certified farms.
  • This does not mean the ice lolly is Fairtrade/Max Havelaar certified.

Carrefour

A retailer whose range includes ice lollies and frozen bars to compare if you’re looking for a particular format.

  • Its range lets you compare different individually portioned frozen treats.
  • Check the label on each pack: a product being in this range tells you nothing about its certification.

E.Leclerc / Marque Repère Trium

Worth a look if you’re considering Trium cones and frozen bars rather than the ice lolly you originally had in mind.

  • The products shown let you compare the type of ice cream and the quantity in each box.
  • A cone or bar isn’t a chocolate-coated ice lolly. Check any Fairtrade label directly on the product too.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can you identify the Fairtrade label on a product made with several ingredients?

Look for the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar label on the ice cream packaging. If it includes an arrow, check the details on the back to see which ingredients it applies to and how they’re traced. Don’t assume the whole recipe is certified.

Does a cocoa ice lolly with Rainforest Alliance certification meet a Fairtrade requirement?

No. Rainforest Alliance certification for cocoa and the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar label are different. Magnum mentions the former for its cocoa; if Fairtrade is essential to your purchase, check that the ice lolly you choose carries this label.

What should you read on the box before serving ice cream to a group?

First, check the number of portions and the allergens in the product you’ve chosen. The ingredients list and nutritional information will then help you compare products, rather than relying on the flavour alone to tell you what’s in them.

How should you transport ice lollies after shopping?

Pick up frozen food at the end of your shop and keep the journey from the shop to the freezer as short as possible. An insulated bag may help, depending on your journey. Once you’re home, follow the storage instructions on the packaging.