Who is this choice for?

Shoppers who care about Fairtrade

You want to see the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar mark on the ice lolly itself, rather than relying on a general claim about cocoa or sustainability.

People planning a workout

You’re considering having an ice lolly before exercising and want to take into account when you eat it and how well it suits you.

Shoppers who check ingredients

You compare the serving size, sugars, fat and allergens listed on the packaging before choosing.

What should you check before buying?

If you’re buying an ice lolly to eat before exercising, first check the mark on the specific product, then consider when you’ll eat it and what the packaging tells you.

What to consider What to check Who is this for?
Fairtrade mark Look for Fairtrade/Max Havelaar on the ice lolly packaging. For a product made from several ingredients, also read the information that accompanies the mark: Max Havelaar France says that available ingredients must be Fairtrade certified. I want my Fairtrade priority to apply to the product I’m buying, not just to a different certification for its cocoa. Around 31% of consumers would put this proof of certification at the heart of their choice.
When you’ll eat it Consider how close the ice lolly is to your workout and take your usual routine into account. For an evening workout, IRBMS recommends a snack combining a cereal product, a dairy product, fruit and water. If I’m exercising soon, I want to choose a time and a snack that suit me, without assuming an ice lolly can do the job on its own. Feeling comfortable before exercise would be the main priority for around 31% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Read the nutritional information per serving and per 100 g, then check the ingredients list and allergens for the product you’ve chosen. I need to know what’s in the serving I’ll eat and check for any ingredients I avoid. Around 25% of consumers would make this their first consideration.
Finding the right format Check the product page or packaging for the specific product available. A tub of ice cream, or the presence of other Fairtrade products at a retailer, doesn’t confirm that an ice lolly carries the mark. I’m looking for an individual ice lolly that I can check before buying, without confusing a retailer’s overall range with the specific product I want. This practical search would come first for around 13% of consumers.

Common pitfalls to avoid

  • Assuming every cocoa certification is Fairtrade

    The French product page for Magnum Mint mentions Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa. This doesn’t mean the ice lolly carries the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar mark.

    If Fairtrade is your priority, look for the mark on the packaging of the specific product and read the information that accompanies it.

  • Thinking of an ice lolly as a one-size-fits-all sports snack

    A Fairtrade mark doesn’t tell you whether an ice lolly is right for the time you plan to eat it. How soon you’ll be exercising and how well it suits you also matter.

    If you’re thinking of having an ice lolly before a workout, take your schedule and usual routine into account rather than assuming it’s a performance snack.

  • Comparing values per 100 g only

    Values per 100 g are useful for comparing recipes, but they don’t necessarily reflect the amount in one ice lolly.

    If both figures appear on the packaging, compare products per 100 g, then check the per-serving values to see what they mean for the ice lolly you’ve chosen.

  • Relying on a retailer’s reputation alone

    A retailer that sells Fairtrade products may also stock ice lollies with other marks, or with no Fairtrade mark at all.

    Check the product on the shelf or its product page rather than assuming it’s certified based on the shop’s name.

Brands and retailers to consider

Ben & Jerry's

Ben & Jerry’s outlines its work with Fairtrade. A Monoprix product page also mentions Fairtrade Max Havelaar-certified ingredients in one of the brand’s tubs.

  • A useful place to start when checking Fairtrade claims on the brand’s ice creams.
  • Information about a tub doesn’t mean an ice lolly carries the same mark: check the format and its packaging.

Magnum

Magnum sells ice lollies and publishes ingredient and nutrition information for Magnum Mint.

  • The Magnum Mint product page lets you check the values per serving.
  • Its claim about Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa shouldn’t be confused with the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar mark.

Carrefour

Carrefour’s range of ice lollies and ice cream bars lets you look at different products and formats.

  • A good starting point for comparing ice lolly packaging and product pages.
  • The range itself doesn’t tell you which mark each product carries, so check the one you choose.

Aldi

Aldi is one of the retailers you could check if you’re looking for an ice lolly with a Fairtrade mark.

  • You can check the format and mark on the packaging in store.
  • Don’t assume an ice lolly carries the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar mark just because the retailer sells other Fairtrade products.

Joybuy products related to this topic

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar mark mean that every ingredient in an ice cream is certified?

No. For a product made from several ingredients, Max Havelaar France says that available ingredients must be Fairtrade certified. Read the information on the packaging of the product you’ve chosen to understand what the mark covers.

Can a chocolate ice lolly replace a snack before exercise?

Not automatically. For an evening workout, IRBMS recommends a snack containing a cereal product, a dairy product, fruit and water. Choose what suits you based on your workout time and how well it agrees with you.

What should you check on the label of a wrapped ice lolly?

Check the ingredients list, allergens and nutritional information, including sugars and fat per serving where these are shown. The DGCCRF notes that prepacked food labels also include a nutrition declaration and the net quantity.

Is Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa enough to choose a Fairtrade ice lolly?

No. A Rainforest Alliance claim doesn’t confirm that the ice lolly carries the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar mark. If that’s what you’re looking for, check the packaging of the product you’re buying.