For a biscuit on the go, choose one with an explicit Fairtrade cocoa claim if Fairtrade cocoa is a must for you. Then check whether the packaging suits the portion you want to take with you. A Fairtrade label alone says nothing about nutritional value, so compare the nutrition information and ingredients too. According to Milieu Centraal, a Fairtrade logo on a white background may apply only to a certified ingredient, not the whole product.
You want a biscuit to enjoy on the go and are looking for a Fairtrade logo or an explicit Fairtrade cocoa claim on the packaging. A retailer’s general sustainability statement is not the same as a label on the product you choose.
You want packaging that fits in your bag and would like to know how many biscuits you have to open at once. For example, the Verkade Lange Nekken described by Albert Heijn are individually wrapped in pairs.
You want to check the ingredients, nutrition information and allergens for the exact variety before choosing a biscuit to take with you.
If cocoa is your main priority, start by checking for a Fairtrade label. Then see whether the packaging suits when you plan to eat it, and read the nutrition information and ingredients for the variety you’ve chosen.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade cocoa | Look for the Fairtrade logo or an explicit cocoa claim on the packaging. If there’s a logo on a white background, check which ingredient is certified; Milieu Centraal distinguishes this from certification of the whole product. | I want a biscuit to enjoy on the go, but I’ll only choose one once I know whether the cocoa is Fairtrade. This check comes first for around 38% of consumers. |
| Easy to take with you | Check the pack size and whether the biscuits are individually wrapped or packed in pairs. | If I’m only taking some of the pack with me, I don’t want to have to open the rest straight away. Around 31% of consumers prioritise this kind of portioning. |
| Nutrition information and allergens | Compare sugars, saturates and fibre per 100 g and, where given, per portion. Read the ingredients list and any allergen warnings. | Before taking a biscuit as a quick breakfast, I want to know what’s in my portion and which ingredients it contains. For around 31% of consumers, checking the label is the first thing they consider. |
Albert Heijn, Lidl and ALDI refer to various cocoa certifications across their ranges or own-brand products. That doesn’t mean the biscuit you choose specifically contains Fairtrade cocoa.
Use the retailer’s policy to help you find products, but check the Fairtrade logo or cocoa claim on the packaging of the exact biscuit you’re buying.
A Fairtrade label doesn’t tell you how much sugar, fat or fibre a biscuit contains. The certification doesn’t tell you the portion size either.
Check the nutrition information per 100 g and, if provided, per portion before deciding what to take with you.
Individually wrapped portions don’t change the ingredients in the biscuit. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be listed in the ingredients list of prepacked foods.
Check the highlighted allergens and any warnings on the packaging of the variety you’re buying.
Lotus describes its standard Biscoff Cookie as a crunchy biscuit with a caramelised flavour.
Albert Heijn says that the cocoa in its own-brand products is Rainforest Alliance- or Fairtrade-certified.
At Jumbo, you can compare chocolate biscuits and check the packaging of the product you’re considering.
Lidl says that the cocoa in its own-brand products comes from certified farming, including Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance or organic sources.
ALDI says that the cocoa in its products is Fairtrade-, Rainforest Alliance- or EU organic-certified.
This selection is suited to taking a biscuit with you in smaller portions. If Fairtrade cocoa is a must for you, check the packaging to see whether the Fairtrade label applies specifically to the cocoa.
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A biscuit to take with you; the product information says they’re wrapped in pairs.
Check the packaging to see whether the Fairtrade label applies specifically to the cocoa. Also read the nutrition information and allergen details for this variety.
Not always. According to Milieu Centraal, a Fairtrade logo on a white background means an ingredient is Fairtrade-certified; it doesn’t automatically mean the whole biscuit is. Check the packaging to see which ingredient the label applies to.
You can’t tell from the Fairtrade label. Compare the portion size and nutrition information for the biscuit. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that biscuits and cakes are often high in calories and low in nutrients such as fibre, vitamins and minerals.
Read the ingredients list for the exact variety. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be listed there; also check for any warnings on the packaging.
