Ice-cream Companion

Update 2018

When we came to update the Ice-cream companion we found there had been some significant changes in ownership in the ice-cream world. They point to the ongoing increasing concentration of brand ownership by large multinationals.

Specifically these changes are:

Weis was bought by Unilever in 2017, and so inherit their 'C' rating'.
In 2016 R&R Ice Cream, who own Peters, became part of a 50:50 joint venture with Nestle. They inherit Nestle's 'F' rating.

These changes mean Bulla is the only Australian-owned ice-cream brand here * and the only company which does not have any criticisms throughout the company tree.

This resource is now more useful in differentiating between brands based on place of manufacture (Australia or elsewhere) rather than company ownership or company track-record.

We hope it is still helpful in serving you to make more informed buying choices. Find out more on ice-cream in our Shop Ethical! comparison pages.

* Other ice-cream products from Australian-owned companies include Dairy Bell, Gelativo, Golden North, Norco, Norgen-Vaaz and Sanitarium's So Good. They don't have tiles here.

This summer, I'm being picky...

We were enjoying our icy poles when I happened to look at the packet - 'Hey this one has come all the way from China!' My kids looked at me in a strange 'Oh Dad' way. I explained that China was a very long, long way away (8,000 kms Shanghai to Melbourne) and lots of energy was used to keep these items frozen all the way. Would it be possible to make something similar more closely to home?

They suggested that perhaps we didn't have the sugar and water and lemon juice here in Australia that was needed for this yummy frozen treat. Or China had very special machinery and we couldn't possibly make ice-cream without such wonder-gagetry.

For a moment I considered ruining our pleasant sunny Saturday by banging on about multinational consolidation, cheap oil, and the myth of global efficiency. But managed to stop myself.

Hence this resource. Allowing me to vent and you to make informed choices in the all-important world of icy-treats! (Or you could check out this - Go Gemma!).

How to use this resource

Choose from the filter buttons at top to show or hide products which meet particular criteria. If two criteria are chosen, items meeting EITHER will be shown - so best to clear one before applying another. If filters stop working you may need to refresh the screen.
Select an item to see product features and related company information.
Find out more about ice-cream manufacture in Australia and country of origin labelling by selecting links at the bottom.

Of course a best buy will depend on what you prioritise as important. Even with ice-cream there are trade-offs to be made.

Manufacturing locations map

Back in 2016 when we released the first version of the Ice-cream companion, we took the opportunity to introduce a new project - our Manufacturing locations map . This resource looks specifically at the place of manufacture of products themselves, including 'country of origin' information.

We hoped that ultimately this resource could help track 'food miles' and help shoppers (you!) reduce your carbon footprint, and support Australian industry and jobs with your dollar.

We're looking to continue with the project, with updated data, and a new level of functionality. If you're interested in helping, please email Nick. We'd love to have your assistance in making this an up-to-date and useful tool.

ICE CREAM food

Enjoy Summer! one local lick at a time!

This summer, I'm being picky...

We were enjoying our icy poles when I happened to look at the packet - 'Hey this one has come all the way from China!' My kids looked at me in a strange 'Oh Dad' way. I explained that China was a very long, long way away (8,000 kms Shanghai to Melbourne) and lots of energy was used to keep these items frozen all the way. Would it be possible to make something similar more closely to home?

They suggested that perhaps we didn't have the sugar and water and lemon juice here in Australia that was needed for this yummy frozen treat. Or China had very special machinery and we couldn't possibly make ice-cream without such wonder-gagetry.

For a moment I considered ruining our pleasent sunny Saturday by banging on about multinational consolidation, cheap oil, and the myth of global efficiency. But managed to stop myself.

Hence this resource. Allowing me to vent and you to make informed choices in the all-important world of icy-treats! (Or you could check out this - Go Gemma!).

New Project 2016

It's also an opportunity to introduce a NEW PROJECT we'll be working on in 2016 We're developing some resources that looks specificially at manufacturing in Australia. Presently our Shop Ethical! guide provides information on the companies behind the brands and some limited information on the products themselves. We're keen to expand this at a product level, including 'country of origin' information, so you know where the things you buy are manufactured or grown.
Key components of our project are:

a mapping resource showing production facilities of major food brands in Australia
a smartphone scan feature where you can help us crowdsource product label data to expand our dataset

Ultimately this resource will help you and other shoppers support Australian industry and jobs with your dollar. We're looking for people to help out with the project, and project partners. If you're interested, please drop us a line!

How to use this resource

Choose from the filter buttons at top to show or hide products which meet particular criteria. If two criteria are chosen, items meeting EITHER will be shown - so best to clear one before applying another. If filters stop working you may need to refresh the screen.
Select an item to see product features and related company information.
Find out more about ice-cream manufacture in Australia and country of origin labelling by selecting links at the bottom.

Of course a best buy will depend on what you prioritise as important. Even with ice-cream there are trade-offs to be made.

ICE CREAM food

Enjoy Summer! one local lick at a time!

> Previous definitions

Statement	Definition	What it doesn't tell us
'Product of ...'	Each significant ingredient or part of the product originated in the country claimed and almost all of the production processes occurred in that country.	This is arguably the most helpful of the current approved statements, but it doesn't guarantee that 100% of that product came from or was processed in that country.
'Made in ...'	The product was 'substantially transformed' in the country claimed with at least 50% of production costs incurred in that country.	Where the ingredients were grown or sourced. A product with 'Made in Australia' on the label won't necessarily contain Australian ingredients..
'From local and imported ingredients'	The product was largely processed in that country (as per 'Made in'), and that the ingredients come from at least one other country in addition to the one named.	Which other countries the ingredients come from, or in what proportion. It's widely believed that if the word 'local' comes before 'imported' then the majority of the ingredients are locally sourced, and vice versa, but the standard doesn't address this so there's no guarantee.

In 2016 the government introduced new elements to country of origin labelling giving clarity to the country where an item is grown, made or packaged, and also an indication of the proportion of Australian ingredients by weight. More at www.industry.gov.au/cool.

Read Choice article, January 27th 2016, outlining the current and proposed new Country of Origin labeling statements, and the need for greater specific information.

'Country of origin is an important food labelling issue for consumers. And being able to support Aussie farmers, reduce food miles or keep food manufacturing jobs in Australia is crucial for many. But a look at the labelling of a range of 'typically' Aussie food products revealed it's often difficult to tell where the ingredients come from.'

We were enjoying our icy poles when I happened to look at the packet - 'Hey this one has come all the way from China!' My kids looked at me in a strange way but for all the wrong reasons. I explained that China was a very long, long way away (8,000 kms Shanghi to Melbourne) and lots of energy was used to keep these items frozen all the way. Would it be possible to make something similar more closely to home?

They suggested that perhaps we didn't have the sugar and water and lemon juice here in Australia that was needed for this yummy frozen treat. Or China had very special machinery that we couldn't have access to.

All in all, I found it pretty difficult to adequately explain. (Especially in the light of this - go Gemma!). For a moment I did consider ruining our pleasent Saturday by banging on about multinational consolidation, cheap oil, and the myth of global efficiency, but managed to stop myself.

And hence this resource. Allows me to vent and you to make informed choices in the all-important world of icy-treats!

It's also an opportunity to introduce a NEW PROJECT we'll be working on in 2016 - looking specificially at manufacturing in Australia. Presently our Shop Ethical! guide provides information on the companies behind the brands and some limited information on the products themselves. We're keen to expand this at a product level, including 'country of origin 'information.

Key components of our project are:

a mapping resource showing production facilities of major food brands in Australia
a smartphone scan feature where you can help us crowdsource product label data to expand our dataset

Ultimately this resource will help you and other shoppers support Australian industry and jobs with your dollar. We're looking for people to help out with the project. If you're interested, please drop us a line!

Cheers, Nick

Enjoy Summer! one local lick at a time!