For a film night, choose biscuits whose Fairtrade claim you can check on the packaging of the specific product. Then see whether the pack is suitable for sharing and read the ingredients and allergen information: ‘Fairtrade cocoa’ does not automatically mean that all the ingredients are Fairtrade. According to Fairtrade International, the arrow next to a FAIRTRADE Mark directs you to the back of the pack for details of the ingredients and sourcing method covered.
You want to know whether Fairtrade applies to the cocoa, other ingredients or more than one ingredient. If there’s an arrow next to the FAIRTRADE Mark, Fairtrade International directs you to the explanation on the back of the pack.
You’re looking for biscuits to put out during a film and want to compare the type, pack size and any portion information. Check the Fairtrade claim on the product you choose; a brand name alone doesn’t tell you which ingredients it applies to.
Before sharing, you want to check the ingredients and allergens listed on the label, as well as any warning about possible cross-contamination. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens must be listed on the labels of prepacked foods.
First, check what the Fairtrade claim says about this particular biscuit. Then compare the pack size with the number of people you’re sharing with, and read the current label before eating.
| What to look for | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade claim | Look for the certification mark or a claim such as ‘Fairtrade cocoa’. If there’s an arrow next to the mark, check the back of the pack to see which ingredients and sourcing method are covered. | If I want to choose Fairtrade cocoa, I need to be able to see exactly what the claim applies to; around 42% of consumers would rank this check as their most important selection criterion. |
| Pack size for sharing | Compare the net weight and, if provided, the number of portions. Also consider whether you’re looking for a filled biscuit or one coated in chocolate. | When I put biscuits out for a film night, I want the pack to suit the group; around 33% of consumers would consider how easy they are to share the most important factor. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the current pack, including any warnings about cross-contamination. | If I need to take ingredients or allergens into account, I want to check the label before we share the biscuits; around 25% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
Albert Heijn and Lidl list several certification options for their own-brand cocoa. Their general policies therefore don’t confirm that an individual biscuit product is Fairtrade.
Check the claim on the packaging of the exact product you want to buy.
For a biscuit made with several ingredients, the claim may apply to specific ingredients only. Fairtrade International says that an arrow next to the FAIRTRADE Mark points to further information on the back of the pack.
Read that explanation and compare it with the ingredients list.
Ingredients and label information can change. That’s why it’s important to check the packaging of the biscuits you’re actually sharing, especially if allergens are a concern.
Read the label when you buy the biscuits and check it again before eating, including any warnings about cross-contamination.
A brand’s policy can help you narrow down your search, but the Fairtrade claim and ingredients on each individual biscuit product are what matter.
Verkade says it uses Fairtrade-certified cocoa in the chocolate on and in its biscuits.
BIO+ is worth considering if you’re looking for chocolate biscuits with both organic ingredients and a specific Fairtrade ingredients claim.
The own-brand range is a good place to start if you want to check the cocoa certification of individual products while shopping.
Lidl’s cocoa policy can help you decide which claims to look for on its own-brand products.
No. That may not be the case for a biscuit made with several ingredients. According to Fairtrade International, if there’s an arrow next to the mark, the information on the back of the pack explains which ingredients and sourcing method the claim covers.
The claim relates to the cocoa, not automatically to ingredients such as sugar or flour. Check the full wording on the packaging of the product you buy; Verkade describes its biscuit claim specifically as Fairtrade-certified cocoa in the chocolate.
Yes. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be clearly listed in the ingredients on prepacked foods in the Netherlands. Check the label on the pack you actually buy, even if you’ve had the same biscuits before.
If possible cross-contamination is relevant to you, read the warning on the current packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the Dutch rules for these precautionary warnings, which have applied since 1 January 2026; don’t rely solely on an older product page.
