Who is this relevant to?

Office buyer with a Fairtrade requirement

You want to be able to establish which ingredients in a biscuit are Fairtrade. For a product with several ingredients, that means checking the exact pack, even if the brand makes a claim about its cocoa.

Organiser of a coffee break

You're looking for a classic biscuit with almond paste to serve with coffee or tea. A canoe biscuit could fit the bill if Fairtrade cocoa isn't a firm requirement and the ingredients are suitable for everyone attending.

Team planner mindful of allergens

You want to know which allergens are in your chosen biscuit before serving it. Albert Heijn and Jumbo's canoe biscuits list milk, egg, wheat, soya and almond, among other ingredients. Check the current label for any warnings about cross-contamination too.

What should you look for when choosing?

Classic canoe biscuit

Choose it when: You want a butter biscuit with almond paste to serve with coffee, and Fairtrade cocoa isn't a firm requirement.

Keep in mind: Don't treat this as a Fairtrade chocolate biscuit. Albert Heijn and Jumbo describe the canoe biscuits reviewed as biscuits with almond paste.

Biscuit with Fairtrade cocoa

Choose it when: You need to be able to show that the cocoa in your chosen biscuit is Fairtrade.

Keep in mind: You may need to choose a different shape from the classic canoe. In 2022, Fairtrade Netherlands reported that all the cocoa in Verkade biscuits was Fairtrade. Check the exact variety and pack before buying.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it's important for
Fairtrade cocoa Look for the Fairtrade mark on the exact pack. If there's an explanation with an arrow on the back, check which ingredients the claim applies to. I need to be able to show that the cocoa in the office treats is Fairtrade, even if that means choosing a different biscuit from a canoe; for around 46% of consumers, being able to verify this is the priority.
Allergens Read the current label before buying and serving, including any warnings about possible cross-contamination. If colleagues need to avoid certain allergens, I don't want to put out one biscuit for everyone without checking the label. For around 36% of consumers, this check gets the most attention.
Pack size and stock Compare the pack weight and stated number of servings; follow the storage instructions on the packaging. For regular coffee breaks, I want to know how many servings are in a pack and how to store opened biscuits; around 18% of consumers prioritise this kind of stock planning.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a canoe biscuit is a Fairtrade chocolate biscuit

    Albert Heijn and Jumbo describe their canoe biscuits as biscuits with almond paste. The type of product alone says nothing about whether its cocoa is Fairtrade.

    If Fairtrade cocoa is a requirement, check the mark on the exact pack and which ingredients the accompanying explanation refers to.

  • Buying biscuits for the whole team without reading the label

    The Albert Heijn and Jumbo canoe biscuits reviewed list several allergens. Warnings about possible cross-contamination may also be important for people attending.

    Check the current label before buying and serving. Make sure there's a clearly identifiable alternative if the chosen biscuit isn't suitable for everyone.

  • Assuming pack weight tells you how many servings there are

    For its 270 g pack reviewed, Albert Heijn lists six servings of 45 g; Jumbo lists five servings of 55 g for its 275 g pack. The serving sizes aren't the same.

    For a coffee break, check both the pack weight and the stated serving size for the variety you've chosen.

  • Leaving an opened pack in the office kitchen

    Biscuit storage advice recommends keeping them somewhere cool, dry and dark. An opened pack also needs to be sealed properly.

    Use an airtight container or tin, and follow the date and storage instructions on the pack.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

AH butter canoe biscuits are a classic biscuit filled with almond paste, ideal for a coffee break.

  • For this variety, Albert Heijn lists a 270 g pack, six servings of 45 g and 41% almond paste.
  • Don't use this product description as proof of Fairtrade cocoa. If that's a purchasing requirement, check the exact pack.

Jumbo

Jumbo butter canoe biscuits are filled with almond paste, making them a classic office treat.

  • For this variety, Jumbo lists a 275 g pack, five servings and 38% almond paste.
  • The variety described lists milk, egg, wheat, soya and almond among its allergens; read the current label before serving.

Heerlijck Banket

ALDI features Heerlijck Banket canoe biscuits as pastries to enjoy with coffee.

  • The pack shown contains 330 g.
  • Before choosing this variety for your team, check the ingredients, allergens and any Fairtrade information on the pack.

Verkade

Verkade biscuits are another option if Fairtrade cocoa matters more to you than the canoe shape.

  • In 2022, Fairtrade Netherlands reported that all the cocoa in Verkade biscuits was Fairtrade.
  • This statement doesn't confirm that a canoe variety is available, and it doesn't replace checking the mark, ingredients and allergens on the pack you've chosen.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are canoe biscuits automatically Fairtrade chocolate biscuits?

No. The Albert Heijn and Jumbo canoe biscuits reviewed are described as butter biscuits with almond paste, not Fairtrade chocolate biscuits. If Fairtrade cocoa is a requirement, check the mark and ingredients on the specific pack.

How can I check Fairtrade claims on a biscuit with several ingredients?

Read the Fairtrade mark and the explanation on the pack of the biscuit you've chosen. Fairtrade Netherlands explains that, for a product with several ingredients, a logo with an arrow may point to information on the back about which ingredients are Fairtrade and how they were sourced.

Which allergens should I check in office canoe biscuits?

Always read the current label on your chosen canoe biscuit, including any warnings about possible cross-contamination. The Albert Heijn and Jumbo varieties described list milk, egg, wheat, soya and almond, among other ingredients. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must be shown on the label of prepacked foods.

How should I store canoe biscuits for a later coffee break?

Follow the instructions on the pack you've chosen and seal it properly once opened. Albert Heijn and Jumbo's product information recommends storing biscuits somewhere cool, dry and dark; Albert Heijn advises keeping them in a sealed tin after opening.