When choosing biscuits to have with coffee or cake, look for a clear mention of Fairtrade cocoa or chocolate on the packaging or product page if that’s your main requirement. A brand or supermarket’s general cocoa policy doesn’t confirm that a particular biscuit is Fairtrade. Also check whether the claim applies to just one ingredient, then compare similar biscuits for their nutritional information and allergens.
You’re looking for a biscuit to have with coffee or cake, with a Fairtrade claim specifically covering the cocoa or chocolate in that particular variety. As Milieu Centraal explains, a certification mark on a composite product may apply to just one ingredient.
As well as the Fairtrade claim, you want to check sugars, saturated fat, salt and portion size. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing similar products per 100 g.
You need to check first whether a biscuit is suitable for your allergy, intolerance or dietary requirements. A Fairtrade claim doesn’t tell you that, so read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you choose.
Start by checking the Fairtrade claim for the specific biscuit. Then use the label to compare similar products for the same coffee break. Nutritional information and allergens need to be checked separately.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade cocoa or chocolate | Look for a Fairtrade claim on the biscuit you’ve chosen and check whether it refers to the cocoa, the chocolate or the whole product. According to Milieu Centraal, a Fairtrade logo on a white background may identify just one certified ingredient. | When choosing a biscuit to have with my coffee, I mainly want the Fairtrade claim for the cocoa to be clear. Around 39% of consumers put this requirement first. |
| Nutritional information | Compare the same type of biscuit per 100 g for sugars, saturated fat and salt. Also check the nutritional information per portion for context, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends. | If I’m considering chocolate-coated biscuits, I also want to compare their nutritional information. This is the most important factor for around 23% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the current packaging. Also check for information about possible traces if that’s relevant to you. | A Fairtrade claim doesn’t help me decide whether I can eat a biscuit with my allergy or dietary requirements. Suitability is the top priority for around 23% of consumers. |
| Availability | Before buying, check that the variety you’ve chosen is available and that the current product information still shows the same Fairtrade claim. | I want to be able to find a biscuit that meets my requirements for a planned coffee or cake break. Availability is the deciding factor for around 15% of consumers. |
Albert Heijn, ALDI and Lidl mention different certification schemes for cocoa. These policies don’t tell you which certification the biscuit variety you’ve chosen carries.
Check the Fairtrade claim on the packaging or the current product page for that specific variety.
According to Milieu Centraal, a Fairtrade logo on a white background may apply only to a certified ingredient. The claim doesn’t automatically say anything about the other ingredients.
Check which ingredient is named, and draw conclusions only about that part of the product.
A Fairtrade claim doesn’t assess nutritional value or tell you whether a product contains allergens. That information still matters, particularly for filled or chocolate-coated biscuits.
Compare similar biscuits per 100 g and read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you’ve chosen.
Fairtrade chocolate is listed at product level for some chocolate-coated Verkade biscuits, including Nizza coconut milk chocolate and Nobo Spritzed milk chocolate on their Joybuy product pages.
Lotus Bakeries presents Biscoff Original as a biscuit to enjoy with coffee. Cocoa isn’t listed in its published ingredients list.
Albert Heijn says that cocoa in its own-brand products is Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade certified.
In December 2025, Jumbo announced that it would extend its cocoa farmer income programmes to its own-brand range containing cocoa, including biscuits.
Lidl lists Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance and organic certification as schemes used for cocoa in its own-brand products.
ALDI Netherlands lists Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance and the EU organic logo as possible certifications for cocoa in its products.
No, not always. According to Milieu Centraal, a Fairtrade logo on a white background may apply only to a certified ingredient. For biscuits, check whether the claim refers to the cocoa, the chocolate or the whole product.
No. Albert Heijn, ALDI and Lidl each list several certification schemes for cocoa; a general policy statement doesn’t tell you which scheme applies to your biscuit. Check the current packaging or product page for that variety.
Compare similar types of biscuit and check their nutritional information per 100 g, including sugars, saturated fat and salt. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that using nutritional information per portion as your only basis for comparison can be confusing, because portion sizes vary.
Read the allergen information and ingredients list on the current packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the mandatory listing of 14 allergens on food labels; a Fairtrade logo doesn’t replace this information.
That doesn’t follow from the Fairtrade chocolate claim. Organic certification and suitability for a vegan diet are separate characteristics, so check the claims and ingredients for the specific biscuit you choose.
