Anyone checking Fairtrade cocoa on a specific product
You’re looking for spritz biscuits with a cocoa claim shown for the variety you’ve chosen, rather than just a general message from the brand or retailer.
Who are these options for?
Anyone putting together a platter for guests
You’re comparing a pack of spritz biscuits with a selection of biscuits, as both the quantity and the variety you want for your get-together matter.
Anyone catering for guests with allergies
You’ll need the latest allergen information before serving. A Fairtrade claim doesn’t tell you whether a biscuit is suitable for a particular guest.
What should you look for when choosing?
For a birthday get-together, the platter you have in mind will determine what to compare: one type of spritz biscuit, a biscuit selection, or spritz biscuits served alongside chocolate. Then check the cocoa claim, quantity and allergens for each product you’re considering.
Chocolate-covered spritz biscuits
Choose these when: you want ready-to-serve spritz biscuits with a Fairtrade cocoa claim for the specific variety, as Albert Heijn lists for Verkade Nobo Milk Chocolate Spritz Biscuits.
Consider: the claim applies to the cocoa, not necessarily to all the ingredients. Jumbo states that mass balance is used for the Fairtrade cocoa in this variety.
Fairtrade biscuit selection
Choose this when: you want a variety of biscuits on one platter; PLUS lists Fairtrade Cocoa for its 300 g biscuit selection.
Consider: a selection isn’t the same as spritz biscuits, and the variety of ingredients means you’ll need to check allergens carefully.
Spritz biscuits with chocolate on the side
Choose this when: you want to serve spritz biscuits and chocolate separately. Lidl describes its Way To Go bars as Fairtrade-certified.
Consider: you won’t be buying ready-made chocolate spritz biscuits, so check the spritz biscuits and chocolate bar separately.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade cocoa | Check the claim on the product you’ve chosen, and whether it applies to the cocoa alone. | If I’m putting chocolate spritz biscuits on the table specifically because of their Fairtrade cocoa, the claim needs to apply to that variety. For around 38% of consumers, being able to verify this would be the priority. |
| Pack size and variety | Compare the net weight and, where stated, the number of servings with the number of guests and other snacks you’re serving. | If the biscuits will make up a large part of my party platter, I want to know whether one type will be enough or if a selection would suit my plans better. For around 31% of consumers, how the platter is put together would be the main consideration. |
| Allergens | Read the current ingredients and allergen information, including any warnings that allergens may be present. | If any guests have a food allergy, I want to check which biscuits I can offer them. For around 31% of consumers, this check would be their first priority. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking a general brand promise for a claim about the biscuits you’re buying
A statement about a brand or retailer’s cocoa sourcing doesn’t automatically tell you what’s on the packaging of the spritz biscuits you’ve chosen. A Fairtrade cocoa claim also doesn’t necessarily apply to all the ingredients.
Check the claim for the specific variety and read what it applies to.
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Assuming Fairtrade biscuits are suitable for every guest
Fairtrade claims don’t relate to food allergens. For Verkade Nobo Milk Chocolate Spritz Biscuits, Albert Heijn lists milk, wheat and soya, among other ingredients; PLUS’s biscuit selection also lists other allergens.
Check the current packaging before serving, and keep it by the platter so guests can check the information themselves.
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Looking only at the pack weight
The 150 g pack of chocolate spritz biscuits listed by Albert Heijn and the 300 g biscuit selection from PLUS are suited to different kinds of platters. The weight alone won’t tell you how many packs you’ll need for your get-together.
Take the number of guests, the other snacks and any serving information on the packaging into account when choosing.
Brands to consider
Verkade
Worth considering if you’re looking for ready-made chocolate-covered spritz biscuits with a Fairtrade cocoa claim for the specific product.
- Albert Heijn lists Verkade Nobo Milk Chocolate Spritz Biscuits in a 150 g pack, with around 9 servings. Jumbo says mass balance is used for the Fairtrade cocoa in this variety.
- The cocoa claim doesn’t automatically apply to the whole biscuit. Check the current allergen information too; the variety listed contains milk, wheat and soya, and may contain nuts and sesame.
PLUS
Worth considering if you’re looking for a selection of biscuits rather than spritz biscuits alone.
- PLUS lists Fairtrade Cocoa for its 300 g biscuit selection.
- The selection isn’t made up of spritz biscuits and, according to PLUS, contains wheat, egg, peanuts, soya and milk, among other ingredients; it may also contain nuts. If allergies are a concern, check the current packaging.
Lidl Way To Go
An option for serving chocolate alongside spritz biscuits, rather than a brand of ready-made chocolate spritz biscuits.
- Lidl describes its Way To Go bars as Fairtrade-certified and says the cocoa used in this range can be traced back to the Kuapa Kokoo co-operative in Ghana.
- You’ll need to choose and serve the spritz biscuits and chocolate separately; check the ingredients and allergens for both products.
Spritz biscuits on Joybuy
This option is suited to anyone looking for ready-to-serve spritz biscuits with a milk chocolate coating for their get-together. Always check the Fairtrade claim and allergen information on the current packaging.
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Verkade Nobo Milk Chocolate Spritz Biscuits 150 g
Ready-made chocolate-covered spritz biscuits for your party platter; the product description mentions a Fairtrade milk chocolate coating.
150 g pack. Before buying and serving, check the current Fairtrade claim and allergen information on the label.
Frequently asked questions
Does Fairtrade Cocoa mean that all the ingredients in spritz biscuits are Fairtrade?
No, a Fairtrade cocoa claim doesn’t automatically apply to all the ingredients. Jumbo also states that mass balance is used for the Fairtrade cocoa in Verkade Nobo Milk Chocolate Spritz Biscuits. Check the current packaging to see exactly what the claim applies to.
Can I serve chocolate spritz biscuits if my guests have food allergies?
You can only assess this for each product and each relevant allergy by checking the current packaging. The Verkade variety listed by Albert Heijn contains milk, wheat and soya, and may contain nuts and sesame. Keep the allergen information available when serving.
How many chocolate spritz biscuits should I buy for a get-together?
Choose an amount to suit the number of guests and the other snacks you’re serving. Albert Heijn lists Verkade Nobo Milk Chocolate Spritz Biscuits as 150 g, with around 9 servings; check the pack size and serving information on the packaging you buy.
How should I store chocolate spritz biscuits until the get-together?
Store the chocolate spritz biscuits described here in a cool, dry place and seal the pack after opening. Also check the best-before date and any storage instructions on the packaging.