Hosts who want a specific fair-trade label
You want to serve a Fairtrade/Max Havelaar dessert and be able to show that the label applies to the ice cream being served, rather than relying on the brand’s reputation.
Who is this choice for?
Hosts who prefer individual portions
You want to count the portions before the buffet and hand out the ice lollies easily. However, a convenient format doesn’t mean you can skip checking the label if it’s one of your criteria.
Hosts mindful of allergens and storage
You need to be able to check the ingredients in each recipe for your guests, and arrange transport and serving without leaving the ice lollies out of the freezer for too long.
What should you check?
For a christening buffet, first decide whether Fairtrade/Max Havelaar certification on the product being served is essential. Then compare the number of portions and serving requirements, while keeping ingredients and storage in mind.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade/Max Havelaar label | Check that the label appears on the exact product and which ingredients it applies to. Don’t confuse it with Rainforest Alliance. | I want to be able to describe the dessert as Fairtrade without attributing a label carried by another product to the ice lolly; around 36% of consumers prioritise this proof. |
| Format and portions | Compare the number of pieces in each box and distinguish mini ice lollies from tubs that need to be portioned. | I prefer to count the ice lollies before guests arrive and hand out portions that are already separate; around 29% of consumers prefer this serving format. |
| Ingredients and allergens | For each flavour, read the ingredients list and any “may contain” warnings on the packaging. | When guests have allergies, I need to be able to identify the ingredients in the recipe being served; nearly 21% of consumers make this check a priority. |
| Availability and keeping the ice lollies cold | Check that the product is available at your chosen shop, and plan for transport and freezer space. | I need to collect the ice lollies and keep them cold until they’re served; around 14% of consumers prioritise this planning. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Presenting Rainforest Alliance as the Fairtrade label
Magnum France says that its cocoa and vanilla are sourced from Rainforest Alliance-certified farms. This does not mean that the ice lolly you buy carries the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar label.
If Fairtrade certification is essential, choose only a product whose listing or packaging explicitly displays the label.
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Assuming a brand’s commitment tells you the format
Carrefour lists a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream tub and says that the brand’s products sold in Europe are Fairtrade/Max Havelaar certified for sugar, cocoa and vanilla, using a mass balance system. This doesn’t make the tub an ice lolly.
Check the format and the label on the product you plan to serve, then confirm it’s available at your shop.
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Assuming a mini ice lolly is suitable for every guest
The Magnum Mini White Chocolate & Cookies listing specifies milk and says the product may contain wheat, barley, oats, soya and almonds. Check the ingredients for each recipe.
Keep the packaging handy during the buffet so you can check the ingredients lists and any traces warnings.
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Taking all the ice lollies out before serving
Leaving products out of the cold for too long makes them harder to store safely. Anses reminds consumers that keeping food at a low temperature slows the growth of micro-organisms.
Only take out the quantities you’re ready to serve, and keep the remaining boxes in the freezer, following the instructions on the packaging.
Brands and retailer to consider
Ben & Jerry’s
An option if you’re happy to serve ice cream from a tub rather than ready-made individual portions.
- Carrefour says that Ben & Jerry’s products sold in Europe are Fairtrade/Max Havelaar certified for sugar, cocoa and vanilla, using a mass balance system.
- The Strawberry Cream and Donuts product listed by Carrefour comes in a 465 mL tub. Check the details separately for any ice lolly you’re thinking of serving.
Magnum
Ice lollies and mini ice lollies to consider if individual portions are your priority, as long as you don’t describe them as Fairtrade without a label specific to the product.
- The Mini White Chocolate & Cookies product comes in a box of six and its listing displays a Rainforest Alliance label for the ingredients identified.
- Rainforest Alliance is not the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar label. This recipe contains milk and may contain wheat, barley, oats, soya and almonds.
Carrefour
A retailer where you can compare the formats shown in ice cream listings before planning portions for your buffet.
- Its range includes boxes of ice lollies, including one product with 12 pieces.
- The fact that an ice lolly is available in this range doesn’t establish that it’s Fairtrade/Max Havelaar certified. Check the listing and packaging for the product you choose.
Related Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Rainforest Alliance ice lolly also Fairtrade/Max Havelaar?
No, the two labels aren’t interchangeable. Magnum France links its cocoa and vanilla sourcing to Rainforest Alliance. If you want to describe an ice lolly as Fairtrade, check that the specific product you’re serving carries the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar label.
Can a Ben & Jerry’s tub help you choose a Fairtrade ice lolly?
No, a listing for ice cream in a tub doesn’t confirm the label on a separate ice lolly. Carrefour lists a Ben & Jerry’s tub and says that the brand’s products sold in Europe are Fairtrade/Max Havelaar certified for sugar, cocoa and vanilla, using a mass balance system. Check the format and labels of any other product separately.
Which allergens should you check in mini ice lollies?
Read the ingredients and “may contain” warnings for each recipe. The Magnum Mini White Chocolate & Cookies listing specifies milk and says the product may contain wheat, barley, oats, soya and almonds. These details don’t apply to other flavours.
How should you store ice lollies during the buffet?
Keep the ice lollies cold during transport and until you’re ready to serve them, then take them out in small batches. Anses reminds consumers how important it is to maintain the cold chain. You should also follow the storage instructions on each pack.