If Fairtrade certification is your priority for a birthday, first choose a product whose packaging or product page explicitly mentions Fairtrade or Max Havelaar. Then check that its format works for the way you plan to serve it. A tub can replace individual ice lollies if you have everything you need to serve your guests. Don’t assume an ice lolly is certified just because it has a chocolate coating or its brand makes general commitments.
You want to choose a certified ice cream without confusing product certification with a brand’s general commitments. Check that the specific product you’re buying mentions Fairtrade or Max Havelaar, and see which ingredients the certification applies to.
You want to hand out desserts without needing bowls or spoons. Ice lollies are ideal for this kind of serving, but you’ll need to check the Fairtrade certification for the specific product.
If your guests have allergies or dietary requirements, check each recipe before buying. Fairtrade certification doesn’t tell you about allergens or whether a product is suitable for a particular diet.
For a birthday, first decide whether Fairtrade certification is essential. Then choose a format you can serve easily and a recipe that suits your guests.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade proof | Look for Fairtrade or Max Havelaar on the exact product, then check which ingredients it applies to and whether mass balance is used. | I want to choose certified ice cream without relying on a general promise about cocoa; around 42% of consumers prioritise this proof. |
| Format and portions | Check the number of units or portions and whether you’ll need to provide tableware. Also follow the storage instructions for the product you choose. | To make it easy to serve dessert to all my guests, I prioritise a format that suits the occasion; around 33% of consumers prioritise this aspect. |
| Allergens and recipe | Check the ingredients list, declared allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings for each product. | If a guest has a dietary requirement, I need to check the recipe before serving it; around 25% of consumers put this compatibility first. |
Magnum says it sources Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa as part of its sourcing approach. This doesn’t prove that a specific Magnum ice lolly carries Fairtrade certification.
If Fairtrade is essential, look for the Fairtrade or Max Havelaar label or wording on the product you plan to buy.
Auchan’s product page for Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Fudge Brownie tub mentions Fairtrade sugar, cocoa and vanilla, as well as a mass balance system. This doesn’t mean every ingredient in the recipe is certified.
Check the details of the Fairtrade claim on the product page or packaging for the flavour you choose.
A tub needs to be portioned out at dessert time, unlike an ice lolly that you can hand out individually. Check that this format suits the number of guests.
Decide how you’ll serve the ice cream before buying, and check the certification of the format you choose.
Have bowls and spoons ready if you’re serving ice cream from a tub.
Fairtrade-certified ice cream can still contain allergens. Ingredients vary by recipe and format.
Ask your guests about their dietary requirements, check the label on each product and keep the packaging handy while serving.
Worth considering if you’re open to a format other than an ice lolly.
A brand of ice lollies to consider if individual servings are a priority.
A retailer whose range lets you browse different ice cream formats.
A retailer with a detailed product page to check before buying a tub.
No. A brand programme or another certification doesn’t prove that the ice cream you choose is Fairtrade-certified. Check for Fairtrade or Max Havelaar on the exact product and see which ingredients it applies to.
Not necessarily. Auchan’s product page for the Chocolate Fudge Brownie tub mentions Fairtrade sugar, cocoa and vanilla, using a mass balance system. Check the page for the flavour you’re buying rather than assuming the claim applies to the whole recipe.
Check the allergens in every recipe, even if the ice cream carries a Fairtrade label. Joybuy’s product page for Ben & Jerry’s Caramel Brownie Party lists milk, eggs, wheat, barley and soya, among others. Also check the packaging you buy for any warnings about traces.
Follow the storage temperature given for each product and plan collection or delivery accordingly. Auchan’s page for Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Fudge Brownie and Joybuy’s page for Magnum almond ice lollies both say to store them at -18 °C.