Choose a chocolate spritz biscuit whose current packaging or product listing explicitly states that it contains Fairtrade cocoa; Albert Heijn and PLUS state this for Verkade Nobo Sprits milk chocolate. According to Fairtrade International, a ‘mass balance’ claim does not mean that all the cocoa in an individual biscuit has been kept physically separate. Check the allergens on the packaging too, and keep an opened packet dry and sealed when you’re out and about.
You’re looking for a chocolate spritz biscuit to enjoy with coffee on the go, and want to check the Fairtrade cocoa claim for the exact variety. If it says ‘mass balance’, that refers to responsible sourcing volumes, not to all the cocoa in your biscuit being physically separated.
You want to know what’s in the biscuits before you set off. For Verkade Nobo Sprits milk chocolate, Albert Heijn and PLUS list wheat, milk and soya; nuts and sesame may also be present. Check the packaging of the product you’re actually buying.
When choosing chocolate spritz biscuits, first check the cocoa claim for the exact variety. Then look at the ingredients, how you’ll carry an opened packet and how much you need.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is it important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade cocoa | Look for an explicit Fairtrade cocoa claim for the exact chocolate spritz biscuit on the current packaging or product page. | I want the cocoa to meet my certification requirements, even if the product name suggests otherwise; this confirmation is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Keeping it dry on the go | Read the storage advice and think about how you’ll keep an opened packet sealed while travelling. | I want to protect my biscuits from damp and breakage once I’ve set off; around 29% of consumers give this practical consideration top priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging, including warnings about possible traces. | If certain ingredients matter to me, I want to be able to check them before buying; this is the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Pack size | Compare the stated pack size with how much you want to take for one coffee break. | I’d rather take only what I need for my journey and leave the rest sealed; around 14% of consumers prioritise the amount they need for each coffee break. |
The PLUS product page for Fairtrade Chocolate Spritz biscuits lists Rainforest Alliance for the cocoa and cocoa butter, even though ‘Fairtrade’ appears in the title. So the title alone does not confirm that the cocoa is Fairtrade.
Before choosing this variety for its Fairtrade cocoa, check the current cocoa and certification information on the packaging or product page.
Fairtrade International explains that Fairtrade and non-Fairtrade cocoa volumes can be mixed during processing under mass balance. The equivalent Fairtrade volumes are tracked and audited administratively.
If physical separation is a requirement for you, look for an explicit traceability claim rather than assuming it from ‘mass balance’.
The Fairtrade cocoa claim for Verkade Nobo Sprits milk chocolate does not automatically apply to other varieties. The ingredients list for Nobo Sprits Original on the Verkade website does not mention cocoa.
Always check the exact variety and its ingredients list.
For Verkade spritz biscuits, PLUS says they should be stored in a cool, dry place and that the packet should be kept sealed after opening.
For your journey, take only the amount you want in a dry, resealable container and seal the rest of the packet again.
Worth considering for this choice because of the specific Nobo Sprits milk chocolate variety.
Its own-brand Fairtrade Chocolate Spritz biscuits show why you should check the product title and cocoa claim separately.
Look for an explicit Fairtrade cocoa claim for the exact variety on the current packaging or product page. Albert Heijn and PLUS state this for Verkade Nobo Sprits milk chocolate; don’t rely on wording in a product title alone.
No, mass balance does not mean that. Fairtrade International explains that cocoa volumes can be mixed during processing, while equivalent Fairtrade volumes are tracked and audited administratively.
The product information from Albert Heijn and PLUS lists wheat, milk and soya, and states that nuts and sesame may also be present. When you buy it, check the allergen information on the packaging for the exact variety.
Take the amount you want in a dry, resealable container. For Verkade spritz biscuits, PLUS recommends storing them in a cool, dry place and keeping the packet sealed after opening.
