Who is this guide for?

Couples planning to advertise a Fairtrade dessert

You want the buffet description to match the certification of the ice lolly being served, without confusing Fairtrade / Max Havelaar with another responsible sourcing scheme.

Organisers serving large numbers of portions

You need to count the ice lollies in each box, plan how to transport them and have frozen storage available until serving time.

Hosts who take allergies seriously

You need to be able to tell guests about the allergens in each product. The DGCCRF says that the presence of allergens in ice cream must be stated in writing.

What should you check before buying?

If you’re advertising your buffet as Fairtrade, start by checking the certification of the exact product. Then check the portions, allergen information and arrangements for keeping everything frozen before making your choice.

Criteria What to check Who is this important for?
Fairtrade proof Look for the Fairtrade / Max Havelaar mark on the product listing or packaging, and check whether it applies to the product or to specific ingredients. If the menu describes a dessert as Fairtrade, I want to be able to say exactly what is certified. Around 36% of consumers put this proof at the top of their list.
Portions and formats Compare the number of pieces per box and the mini or standard size, then work out how many boxes you’ll need. To serve every guest without losing track of portions, I choose packaging that suits the buffet. Around 29% of consumers prioritise the number of pieces and the format.
Allergens and alternatives Check the ingredients, allergens and ‘may contain’ statements for each flavour, and keep this information accessible during service. When guests have dietary requirements, I need to distinguish between products without assuming that a particular flavour or sorbet will suit them. Around 21% of consumers prioritise managing this information.
Keeping everything frozen Follow the storage instructions on each box and plan for transport, storage at the venue and serving small quantities at a time. If there’s a journey and set-up before the buffet, I need to be able to keep the ice lollies frozen until they’re ready to serve. This is the main concern for around 14% of consumers.

Buffet mistakes to avoid

  • Confusing Rainforest Alliance with Fairtrade

    Magnum says it sources cocoa and vanilla from Rainforest Alliance-certified farms. This doesn’t mean an ice lolly can be described as Fairtrade / Max Havelaar certified.

    On the menu, name only the certification that applies to the product being served and, where relevant, to the ingredients concerned.

  • Assuming a retailer’s commitment applies to all its ice lollies

    Carrefour promotes a fair trade policy, but a retailer-wide policy doesn’t certify every ice lolly in its range.

    Check the listing for the product you’ve chosen, then check the packaging on the boxes you receive or collect in store.

  • Relying on the flavour name alone for allergen information

    Auchan’s listing for the Magnum mint ice lolly notes that it contains milk and may contain nuts. Allergen information for one flavour doesn’t apply to other products.

    Keep the packaging and have the allergen information ready for every box you serve. Only describe an alternative as suitable after checking its own label.

  • Taking all the ice lollies out before serving

    The DGCCRF says the cold chain must be maintained right up to the plate. So make sure your buffet plans include transport and waiting time at the venue.

    Arrange frozen storage at the venue and only take boxes out as you need them. Don’t refreeze ice cream once it has defrosted.

Brands and retailers to check

Magnum

A brand of ice lollies; Auchan lists a mint-flavoured option coated in milk chocolate.

  • Magnum says its cocoa and vanilla come from Rainforest Alliance-certified farms; Auchan’s listing for the mint product includes this claim.
  • This claim doesn’t prove that the ice lolly is Fairtrade / Max Havelaar certified.

Carrefour

A retailer with a range of ice lollies in several formats, including boxes of eight.

  • Product listings let you compare pack sizes before working out how many portions you’ll need for the buffet.
  • Carrefour’s commitment to fair trade doesn’t prove that a particular ice lolly carries the Fairtrade / Max Havelaar mark.

Auchan

A retailer with a category for ice lollies, mini ice lollies and ice cream bars.

  • Auchan’s listing for the Magnum mint ice lolly gives useful information about the ingredients, allergens and storage instructions for this product.
  • The Rainforest Alliance claim on this listing shouldn’t be replaced with a Fairtrade description.

E.Leclerc

A retailer whose Eco+ range includes boxes of 12 mini ice lollies and 16 ice lollies.

  • These pack sizes give you a useful starting point for working out how many portions to serve.
  • The pack size tells you nothing about possible Fairtrade certification, which you’ll need to check on the product you choose.

Joybuy products related to this topic

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

What qualifies an ice lolly to be described as Fairtrade?

You must be able to verify the Fairtrade / Max Havelaar mark for the product you’re buying. If it applies only to certain ingredients, specify which ones rather than describing the whole ice lolly as certified. Fairtrade / Max Havelaar France explains the criteria for its label.

Is a Magnum ice lolly with a Rainforest Alliance claim Fairtrade?

That claim alone isn’t enough to describe it as Fairtrade. Magnum says its cocoa and vanilla are sourced from Rainforest Alliance-certified farms. To describe it as Fairtrade / Max Havelaar, check for a separate claim that applies to the product you’re buying.

Do Carrefour, Auchan or E.Leclerc ranges prove that an ice cream is Fairtrade?

No. Their range pages can help you find different formats, but they don’t confirm certification for every product. Check the detailed listing and the packaging of the box you’ll be serving.

How should you tell guests about allergens?

Keep the information for each product accessible at the buffet, for example by keeping its packaging. The DGCCRF says that the presence of allergens in ice cream must be communicated in writing. Also check the label on any sorbet before offering it as an alternative.

How can you serve ice lollies without breaking the cold chain?

Plan for transport and frozen storage at the venue, then take the ice lollies out as you need them. Follow the storage temperature shown on each box. The DGCCRF stresses the importance of maintaining the cold chain right up to the plate.