Choose ready-made biscuits if you want to hand them out quickly, or bake your own if you want to decide on the size and ingredients of the treats and have time to prepare them. In either case, check the specific pack to see which cocoa or other ingredients the Fairtrade claim applies to. Also check the allergens and how many you’ll need; a Fairtrade label doesn’t mean a product is suitable for every guest.
You want to be able to check exactly what the Fairtrade claim covers on the birthday biscuits you choose. For products with several ingredients, the explanation on the packaging can be important, as Fairtrade International explains.
You’re handing out biscuits to guests with different dietary requirements or allergies. You’ll need the up-to-date ingredients list and allergen information for each product you choose, even if it carries a Fairtrade logo.
You want to work out how many packs you’ll need and when to open them. The number of portions, type of packaging and how well you reseal any leftovers all affect how practical a biscuit is for your party.
Choose these if: you want to hand out biscuits without spending time baking, and can check the Fairtrade cocoa claim on a specific pack. According to Albert Heijn, Verkade Lange Nekken biscuits are individually wrapped in pairs.
Bear in mind: a cocoa claim doesn’t automatically apply to all the ingredients. Individually wrapped biscuits still need an allergen check.
Choose this option if: you want to decide on the size and ingredients yourself. Fairtrade Netherlands’ chocolate chip cookie recipe makes 12 to 14 biscuits.
Bear in mind: according to Fairtrade Netherlands, the recipe takes 60 minutes to prepare. Check the Fairtrade claim on the chocolate you use, and check the allergens in each ingredient separately.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade claim | Check the label on the specific pack. If the certification mark includes an arrow, read the explanation about the ingredients and sourcing method. Fairtrade International describes this marking for products with several ingredients. | I want to know whether the claim applies to the treats I’m buying, rather than just a brand’s or retailer’s policy. For around 42% of consumers with this purchasing concern, being able to verify the claim matters most. |
| Allergens | Read the up-to-date ingredients list and allergen information, and check for warnings about the possible presence of other allergens. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains which allergens must be listed on the label. | If guests need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what’s in the biscuits before serving them. Checking allergens comes first for around 33% of consumers. |
| Portions and storage | Compare the pack weight, stated number of portions and any individually wrapped portions. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, store opened biscuits in a cool, dry, dark place in a well-sealed container. | I want to have enough to hand out without opening all the biscuits at once. For around 25% of consumers, planning portions and keeping biscuits fresh is the main concern. |
A policy on certified cocoa doesn’t tell you which certification applies to a specific biscuit. Albert Heijn says its own-brand cocoa is certified by Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade; Lidl also refers to different certification schemes.
If Fairtrade is a requirement for you, check the claim and explanation on the product you’re actually buying.
Ingredients and allergens can vary between biscuits, and product information can change. A Fairtrade cocoa claim also doesn’t replace allergen information.
Read the current label before buying and check it again before handing out the biscuits, especially if a guest has an allergy or coeliac disease.
Biscuits can go soft or stale while the party is still in full swing.
Put out smaller amounts and seal any leftover biscuits well. Store them in a cool, dry, dark place, as advised by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
A brand to consider if you’re looking for ready-made chocolate biscuits with a cocoa claim you can check.
A retailer with product information for the Verkade biscuits mentioned above, as well as its own cocoa policy.
According to Lidl Netherlands, Sondey is a range of biscuits and cookies. Lidl also outlines its certification policy for own-brand cocoa.
A caramelised biscuit that Lotus Bakeries describes as crunchy, for anyone comparing options beyond Fairtrade products too.
No, a Fairtrade cocoa claim doesn’t automatically apply to the other ingredients. Fairtrade International also describes markings for products with several ingredients. Read the explanation on the packaging to see what the claim covers.
Yes. The Fairtrade logo doesn’t tell you whether the biscuits are suitable for guests with allergies. Read the up-to-date ingredients list and allergen information on the pack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains which allergens must be listed on the label.
Store opened biscuits in a cool, dry, dark place in a well-sealed container, as advised by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Before serving, check that the flavour and texture are still as you’d expect. For unopened packs, follow the best-before date and storage instructions on the label.
No, a general certification claim doesn’t tell you which certification applies to the biscuit you’ve chosen. Albert Heijn says its own-brand cocoa is certified by Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade, while Lidl refers to several schemes for certified cocoa. If you’re looking for Fairtrade cocoa, check the specific label on the packaging.
