Who are these choices relevant to?

If you want to check the Fairtrade claim on the biscuit

You want to serve chocolate or cocoa with a Fairtrade claim on the specific product you’ve chosen, rather than relying on a general promise from a brand or retailer.

If you want biscuits that are easy to hand out

You’re looking for enough portions or individually wrapped packs for your guests, and want to know how to store chocolate biscuits before serving them outdoors.

If you need to check ingredients for your guests

You want to read the allergen information on the packaging before buying and compare the nutritional values of similar biscuits per 100 g.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by checking the Fairtrade claim on the specific biscuit. Then decide which practical consideration matters most for your guests.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Fairtrade status Look for an applicable Fairtrade claim on the product. For cocoa, read the explanation about the ingredients purchased and any use of mass balance. I want to be able to point to the Fairtrade claim that applies to the biscuit, not just the brand. This is the top priority for around 39% of consumers.
Portions and storage Check the number of portions or individually wrapped packs, and follow the storage advice for chocolate biscuits. If I’m handing out biscuits outdoors, I want to know how many I can serve and how to store them until then. This is the main concern for around 23% of consumers.
Allergens Check the current packaging for the allergens in the product and any warnings about possible cross-contamination. For guests with an allergy, I need to be able to check which biscuits are suitable for them. This is the biggest concern for around 23% of consumers.
Nutritional value Compare similar biscuits per 100 g, for example for sugars, fat, salt and fibre. I want to compare different packs without relying on portion sizes that vary. This comparison is the highest priority for around 15% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking a retailer’s policy for a claim about a product

    For cocoa in its own-brand products, ALDI lists several certifications, including Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance. That doesn’t make every individual biscuit a Fairtrade product.

    Check the Fairtrade claim on the packaging or product page of the biscuit you want to buy.

  • Confusing mass balance with physically segregated cocoa

    Fairtrade International permits mass balance for cocoa. Fairtrade and non-Fairtrade cocoa can be mixed during processing, while the volumes purchased are tracked.

    For a Fairtrade cocoa claim, also read the explanation of the traceability method used.

  • Serving different biscuits without allergen information

    Chocolate biscuits may contain different allergens or carry warnings about possible cross-contamination. Once they’re on a mixed platter, it can be hard to tell which information applies to each biscuit.

    Check each pack separately and keep the product information available for guests who need to check the ingredients.

  • Comparing nutritional values per portion directly

    Portion sizes can vary between manufacturers. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing products per 100 g for a more consistent basis.

    For similar biscuits, check the nutritional information per 100 g and assess the Fairtrade claim separately.

Brands to consider

Verkade

For anyone looking for a specific chocolate biscuit with a Fairtrade cocoa claim.

  • Albert Heijn’s product pages for Crunchy Haverkoek Melkchocolade and Chocorondjes Melkchocolade state that they contain Fairtrade cocoa and Fairtrade milk chocolate, respectively.
  • The two biscuits differ in their ingredients and allergens. Read the packaging for the variant you choose, especially if you’re buying for guests with allergies.

AH

For anyone considering a shareable mix with biscuit pieces and a product-specific Fairtrade claim.

  • Albert Heijn states that the required quantity of Fairtrade ingredients has been purchased and checked for AH Chocobites cookie dough & cookie.
  • The product information mentions mass balance: this purchasing claim doesn’t mean that the cocoa has remained physically segregated. Check the allergen information on the packaging too.

ALDI

A retailer where you can check the cocoa certification of products individually.

  • ALDI Netherlands lists Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance and the EU organic logo as certification routes for cocoa in its own-brand products.
  • This general policy doesn’t confirm that a particular biscuit is Fairtrade. Check the product you’ve chosen.

Lotus Biscoff

For anyone looking for speculoos in a shareable pack and wanting to check the Fairtrade status separately.

  • For Original Speculoos, Lotus Biscoff lists a multipack containing 20 packs of two biscuits, among other options.
  • Lotus Bakeries’ Rainforest Alliance claim for cocoa and chocolate in Biscoff chocolate bars doesn’t confirm that Original Speculoos is Fairtrade.

Matching products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does Fairtrade cocoa mean that all the cocoa in the biscuit has remained physically segregated?

No, not necessarily. Fairtrade International permits mass balance for cocoa: certified and non-certified cocoa can be mixed during processing, while the volumes of Fairtrade cocoa purchased are tracked. Read the explanation accompanying the claim on the product.

Is a general sustainability policy enough to choose biscuits as Fairtrade?

No. A retailer or brand may use different certification schemes for cocoa. Look for an applicable Fairtrade claim on the biscuit itself or on its product page.

How do I check allergens when putting biscuits out for guests?

Read the current packaging for each product and keep the information available alongside the biscuits. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked products; check for any warnings about cross-contamination too.

How do I compare the nutritional value of different biscuits?

Compare similar biscuits per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends this basis because portion sizes can vary. Check the relevant values in the nutritional information and treat the Fairtrade claim as a separate factor in your decision.

How should I store chocolate biscuits before a garden party?

Follow the storage advice for the product you’ve chosen. The product information for the Verkade biscuits mentioned above recommends storing them in a cool, dry place. Check the packaging for advice on storage after opening too, before serving the biscuits outdoors.