Shoppers who look for a certification mark
You’re looking for a chocolate biscuit with a clear Fairtrade claim and want to know whether it applies to the cocoa, the chocolate or more of the ingredients.
Who is this for?
Online shoppers who check allergens
You want to be able to check which ingredients and allergens a specific biscuit contains or may contain before you order.
Shoppers choosing for a particular occasion
You might be looking for a filled biscuit to enjoy with a coffee or a pack divided into portions for when you’re out and about. You’ll also want to check that it’s available for your delivery slot.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide what you want the Fairtrade claim to cover. For any biscuit that fits the bill, check the allergen information and delivery options before choosing based on flavour and packaging.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| What Fairtrade means | Check whether the claim specifically refers to cocoa or chocolate, and read the explanation for a certification mark with an arrow. Fairtrade Netherlands uses this mark for products with multiple ingredients. | I don’t want a claim about cocoa to be mistaken for a claim about every ingredient. For around 31% of consumers, the exact Fairtrade claim is what makes the difference. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Compare the current ingredients and allergen information online with the packaging when your order arrives. | If I need to avoid a particular allergen, flavour only matters once I’ve checked the ingredients. Around 25% of consumers put this check first. |
| Delivery availability | Check stock for your postcode and delivery slot, then check your chosen variant again in your basket. | I need the biscuits for a particular occasion and want to know whether they can be delivered in time. Current delivery availability is the most important factor for around 25% of consumers. |
| Occasion and packaging | Compare the pack size, filling and whether the biscuits are individually wrapped or packed in pairs. | When I’m out and about, I’d rather have a pre-portioned snack than a filled biscuit to share. For around 19% of consumers, the occasion is the main factor in their choice. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming Fairtrade cocoa means the whole biscuit is Fairtrade
A chocolate biscuit contains several ingredients. A claim about Fairtrade cocoa does not, by itself, say anything about the certification of the other ingredients. Rainforest Alliance and Fairtrade are also different certification schemes.
Read the exact claim on the packaging or product page and check that it matches what you’re looking for.
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Judging by the flavour or front of the pack alone
A name such as milk chocolate or marshmallow doesn’t give you the full picture of a biscuit’s ingredients and allergens.
Check all the product information before ordering, then compare it with the label when your order arrives.
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Assuming a product page guarantees delivery
A biscuit may be listed online without being available to order for your postcode and delivery slot.
Check availability at checkout. If you choose an alternative, check its Fairtrade claim, ingredients and packaging too.
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Confusing gluten-free with allergen-free
A gluten-free label doesn’t tell you whether a biscuit contains milk, soya or nuts, for example, or carries a warning about them.
Read the full allergen information for every variant, even if it already meets one of your dietary requirements.
Brands to consider
Compare specific biscuits and their claims: a brand name alone won’t tell you which certification mark appears on a particular pack.
Verkade
Albert Heijn lists FairTrade COCOA or Fairtrade cocoa on specific Verkade chocolate biscuits.
- Chocorondjes, Lange Nekken and Choco S'mores offer different fillings and pack formats to compare for different occasions.
- Check what the Fairtrade claim applies to for each variant and which allergens are listed on the packaging.
Galler
Galler states that the cocoa used in its chocolate is Fairtrade. Chocolate with biscuit pieces is a different choice from a chocolate biscuit.
- Galler’s own Fairtrade cocoa claim gives you something specific to check on a product’s packaging.
- Albert Heijn lists Galler Puur biscuits as no longer stocked. Don’t assume they can be delivered without checking for a current product listing.
Lotus Biscoff
Lotus Biscoff is a caramelised speculoos biscuit and an alternative for its flavour, not a verified Fairtrade option.
- This type of biscuit offers a different flavour and texture from a chocolate-coated biscuit.
- Lotus Bakeries mentions Rainforest Alliance certification for cocoa in certain product ranges. This is not the same as a Fairtrade claim on this biscuit.
Related products on Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Does Fairtrade cocoa mean that every ingredient in a biscuit is Fairtrade?
No. Fairtrade Netherlands uses a certification mark with an arrow for products with multiple ingredients, and requires, among other things, a minimum of 20% Fairtrade ingredients. Read the explanation for the specific biscuit to see which ingredients the claim covers.
Can I check allergens before ordering biscuits online?
Yes. According to the European Commission, the same mandatory information must be available for food sold online as in a physical shop. Check the ingredients and allergens before ordering, and read the label on the packaging when your order arrives.
Are Verkade Lange Nekken milk chocolate biscuits gluten-free?
No. This variant is described as containing wheat, oats and barley. If you’re looking for a gluten-free label, check the current packaging for the specific product and read the rest of the allergen information too.
Why can’t I always get a biscuit delivered if it has a product page?
A product page doesn’t guarantee stock for your postcode or chosen delivery slot. Check availability just before checkout and, if you choose a replacement biscuit, check its certification claim and ingredients again.