Consumers who value the Fairtrade label
You’re looking for a clearly identifiable Fairtrade / Max Havelaar statement on the ice cream, and are happy to consider a different format if your chosen ice lolly doesn’t meet this requirement.
Who is this choice for?
People who prefer an individual ice lolly
You want to enjoy an ice lolly during a short break, without needing a spoon. A convenient format doesn’t remove the need to check the label and allergens for the specific product you choose.
Consumers who pay attention to ingredients and portion size
You compare the ingredients, listed allergens and quantity before choosing an ice lolly or another type of ice cream.
What should you check before buying?
For a lunch break, first check whether the product meets your Fairtrade requirements, then consider whether its format suits where and when you plan to eat it. Check the ingredients and quantity for the exact product variant.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade statement | Look for Fairtrade / Max Havelaar on the packaging or product listing, then check which ingredients it applies to and whether a mass-balance statement is included. | If you need to be able to identify the fair-trade commitment before buying, another certification won’t meet that need. Around 42% of consumers put this proof at the top of their criteria. |
| Ice cream format | Distinguish between an individual ice lolly, a multipack of ice lollies and a tub. For a tub, make sure you have a spoon and can store it appropriately. | If I’m eating during a short break without cutlery, I prioritise a portion that’s easy to serve. Around 33% of consumers prioritise an individual format. |
| Ingredients and portion size | Read the ingredients, allergen information and any ‘may contain’ statements, as well as the quantity and nutritional information for that variant. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I check the exact recipe rather than relying on the label alone. This is the main consideration for around 17% of consumers. |
| Pack size | Compare the net quantity and number of portions in a tub, multipack and individual ice cream. | If I only need one ice cream for this break, I want to avoid a pack that doesn’t suit how much I’ll eat. Around 8% of consumers put pack size first. |
Common mix-ups to avoid
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Confusing Rainforest Alliance with Fairtrade / Max Havelaar
Magnum says it sources cocoa and vanilla from Rainforest Alliance-certified farms. This certification is separate from Fairtrade / Max Havelaar, so it doesn’t, on its own, meet a requirement for the latter label.
If Fairtrade is essential to your choice, look for an explicit statement on the specific product you plan to buy.
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Assuming the Fairtrade statement covers the whole recipe
For Ben & Jerry’s Cookie Dough, Carrefour’s listing identifies sugar, cocoa and vanilla as Fairtrade ingredients and states that mass balance applies. It doesn’t say that every ingredient in the tub is certified.
Read the note accompanying the Fairtrade statement to see which ingredients it covers.
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Choosing a tub as if it were an ice lolly
Cookie Dough on Carrefour’s listing comes in a 465 mL tub. It isn’t like an individual ice lolly on a stick when you want a quick treat without cutlery.
Choose the tub only if you can keep it cold and serve it in a way that suits your break.
A tub also means you’ll need a spoon, unlike an ice lolly.
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Forgetting about allergens while focusing on the label
A fair-trade statement tells you about the ingredients covered by that initiative; it doesn’t tell you whether the recipe suits your dietary requirements. Ingredients and allergen statements can vary by flavour.
Check the label on the variant you’re buying, including any ‘may contain’ statements.
Brands to know, depending on what you’re looking for
Ben & Jerry’s
Worth considering if you’re happy with a tub rather than an ice lolly: Carrefour lists Cookie Dough in a 465 mL tub and states that some ingredients are Fairtrade.
- According to Carrefour’s listing, Fairtrade sugar, cocoa and vanilla make up 65% of the total weight, excluding water and dairy products.
- The listing specifies mass balance. This product comes in a tub, not as an individual ice lolly.
Magnum
A brand of ice lollies to consider if Rainforest Alliance meets your requirements instead of a Fairtrade / Max Havelaar statement.
- Magnum says its cocoa and vanilla come from Rainforest Alliance-certified farms.
- The brand says it uses a mass-balance approach for cocoa. These statements don’t mean that the ice lolly you choose is Fairtrade / Max Havelaar certified.
Alter Eco
A brand to look to for chocolate and other fair-trade products, rather than a specific ice lolly.
- Alter Eco describes its business as focused on organic, fair-trade products and says it works with groups of small-scale producers.
- Before choosing an ice cream, check what the product is and what certification statement it carries. A brand’s commitment doesn’t automatically apply to every product.
Joybuy products related to this topic
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Frequently asked questions
How can I spot a Fairtrade / Max Havelaar statement on ice cream?
Look for the Fairtrade / Max Havelaar logo or statement on the packaging or product listing, then check which ingredients it covers. Max Havelaar France describes the label as being based on social, economic and environmental criteria checked by an independent certification body.
Does Rainforest Alliance meet a Fairtrade / Max Havelaar requirement?
No, these are separate certifications. Magnum mentions Rainforest Alliance for its cocoa and vanilla. If your choice requires Fairtrade / Max Havelaar, check for that statement on the product itself.
What does mass balance mean for the Cookie Dough tub?
On Carrefour’s listing for Ben & Jerry’s Cookie Dough, mass balance accompanies the Fairtrade statement for the sugar, cocoa and vanilla. Read the accompanying details rather than assuming that every ingredient in the tub is certified.
What should I check if I need to avoid certain allergens?
Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variant, including any ‘may contain’ statements. The DGCCRF reminds consumers that food labelling information must be visible and legible, among other requirements, and provided at least in French.
Is a Fairtrade tub suitable for a quick lunch break?
It may be suitable if you have a spoon and can keep it cold, but it isn’t as convenient as an individual ice lolly. Cookie Dough on Carrefour’s listing comes in a 465 mL tub, so check that the format suits your break before choosing it.