Who are these points relevant to?

Fairtrade cocoa as a key requirement

You’re looking for a chocolate biscuit whose pack clearly states whether the cocoa was sourced under Fairtrade terms and which ingredients the claim covers.

A measured evening snack

You want to be able to assess the portion size and compare sugars and fats per 100 g or per portion.

Checking ingredients and allergens

Your choice depends on the ingredients and allergen information. A Fairtrade statement is no substitute for checking these details.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by checking what the Fairtrade claim covers, then decide which ingredients and portion size suit your snack break.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters most to
Fairtrade claim Look for the certification mark or Fairtrade Sourced Ingredient mark, and read which ingredients are mentioned in the explanation on the pack. Fairtrade International says that an arrow next to the mark points to further information on the packaging. If Fairtrade cocoa is a must for me, I want to be able to see exactly what the claim covers on the pack. For around 46% of consumers, a claim they can verify would be their top priority when buying for the first time.
Ingredients Read the ingredients and allergen information; compare sugars and saturated fat on the same basis, for example per 100 g. If I need to take ingredients or allergens into account, I look beyond the mark on the front of the pack. For around 36% of consumers, the ingredients would be the most important factor.
Portion size and storage Check the portion size and read how to store the pack after opening. For a late-night snack, I want to be able to decide how much to have and what to do with the rest. That would be the main consideration for around 18% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking a retailer’s policy for a Fairtrade claim on the biscuit

    Albert Heijn says that cocoa in its own-brand products is Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade certified; Lidl also mentions organic certification. This kind of general policy doesn’t tell you which claim appears on a specific pack of chocolate biscuits.

    Check the pack itself if Fairtrade is a requirement for you.

  • Assuming Fairtrade cocoa means all the ingredients are Fairtrade

    According to Fairtrade International, a Fairtrade Sourced Ingredient mark on a composite product can refer to a named ingredient, such as cocoa.

    Read the explanation accompanying the certification mark or label to see which ingredients the claim covers.

  • Skipping the label because of the certification mark

    The Fairtrade status of cocoa tells you nothing about the allergens or nutritional value of a chocolate biscuit.

    Read the ingredients, allergen information and nutritional details for the variety you want to buy.

  • Assuming an old product listing means it’s still available

    A product page may remain online even when the biscuit it describes is no longer in the online range.

    Check with the retailer that the product is available, and compare the current packaging with the claim shown.

Brands and retailers to check product by product

A brand or retailer name alone doesn’t confirm that the chocolate biscuit you choose carries a Fairtrade claim.

Verkade

A place to start if you’re looking for Fairtrade cocoa: Albert Heijn lists this claim for Verkade Nizza coconut milk chocolate.

  • For this Nizza variety, you can compare the cocoa claim with the ingredients and nutritional information.
  • The claim for cocoa doesn’t automatically cover the other ingredients. Check the pack and allergen information too.

Albert Heijn

Worth considering if you also want to look at chocolate biscuits made with own-brand cocoa.

  • Albert Heijn says that cocoa in its own-brand products is Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade certified.
  • These two certifications aren’t the same. If you specifically require Fairtrade, check the individual pack.

Lidl

A retailer where you can check the cocoa claim on each own-brand product’s packaging.

  • Lidl mentions Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance and organic certification for its own-brand cocoa.
  • That doesn’t mean a particular chocolate biscuit is Fairtrade; check the claim on the product itself.

ALDI

A retailer with a Fairtrade range promoted by ALDI, including chocolate.

  • The information about the range gives you a starting point for finding products with a Fairtrade statement.
  • Mentioning Fairtrade chocolate doesn’t confirm a claim for a specific chocolate biscuit.

Jumbo

Worth checking for claims on individual chocolate biscuits, rather than as a general Fairtrade guarantee.

  • Jumbo stated that the dark chocolate and cane sugar in Bio+ Fair Chocolate Biscuits met Fairtrade terms.
  • Check the product’s availability and packaging for the one you actually find.

Lotus

Worth considering if you want to compare the ingredients in Speculoos with chocolate.

  • Lotus lists the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values for this product.
  • Base your Fairtrade choice only on a specific claim on the pack, not on the product name.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a Fairtrade claim on chocolate biscuits?

Look for the certification mark or Fairtrade Sourced Ingredient mark, and read the explanation on the packaging. Fairtrade International says that an arrow next to the FAIRTRADE mark points to information on the back of the pack. For composite products, it’s important to check which ingredients the claim covers.

Are the other ingredients Fairtrade if the cocoa is Fairtrade?

Not automatically. A Fairtrade cocoa claim doesn’t automatically apply to ingredients such as sugar, milk or flour; check the pack to see which ingredients are named.

What should I check if allergens affect my choice?

Read the allergen information on the specific pack. The Verkade Nizza variety described lists wheat, milk and soya, among other ingredients; other chocolate biscuits may have a different composition.

How should I store an opened pack for a later snack?

Follow the storage instructions on the packaging. Verkade Nizza should be stored in a cool, dry place, with the pack sealed after opening.