For shoppers checking for Fairtrade cocoa
You’re looking for a chocolate biscuit to enjoy on the go and want to be able to find the Fairtrade claim on the packaging or product page for that exact variant.
Choose a chocolate biscuit with a Fairtrade cocoa claim for the exact product variant, then consider which packaging you’d actually like to take in your gym bag. Compare the nutritional information per serving and, if you have allergies, read the current label. A Fairtrade claim doesn’t tell you whether it’s suitable as sports nutrition.
You’re looking for a chocolate biscuit to enjoy on the go and want to be able to find the Fairtrade claim on the packaging or product page for that exact variant.
You’d rather take a small pack or individually portioned biscuits than a large pack that’s been opened. The packaging and the amount you take with you will determine what’s practical.
You want to check the ingredients and allergens, or compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per serving before taking a biscuit with you.
Start by checking the Fairtrade claim for the specific biscuit. Then compare the packaging and read the label for portion size, nutritional information and allergens.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade cocoa | Look for a Fairtrade cocoa claim on the packaging or product page for the exact variant. A general cocoa sourcing policy isn’t enough. | I want to know whether the cocoa in this particular biscuit is covered by a Fairtrade claim, not just whether the retailer sources sustainable cocoa. For around 42% of consumers, checking the specific product comes first. |
| Packaging and portion size | Compare the net weight and check whether the biscuits are individually wrapped or packed in pairs. | I find it inconvenient to take a large, opened pack with me; I’m looking for packaging that makes it easy to take the portion I have in mind. This convenience is the deciding factor for around 33% of consumers. |
| Allergens and nutritional information | Read the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the current label. Compare sugars, saturated fat and energy per 100 g and per serving. | Before packing a chocolate biscuit, I want to be able to decide whether its ingredients and my portion suit my needs. Around 25% of consumers make this check their first priority. |
Lidl lists several certification schemes for its own-brand cocoa, including Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance and organic certification. That doesn’t tell you which claim appears on an individual chocolate biscuit.
Check the packaging or product page for the flavour and variant you’re buying for a Fairtrade claim.
A Fairtrade cocoa claim doesn’t tell you how much sugar, saturated fat or energy is in your portion. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that many snacks are worth checking for these factors.
Check the nutritional information per serving if you want to see how the biscuit fits into your diet.
Ingredients and allergens vary between chocolate biscuits. Albert Heijn’s product information lists milk and gluten-containing cereals, among other things, for the Verkade variants discussed here.
If you have an allergy, read the label on the pack you’re actually using, including any relevant ‘may contain’ warnings.
Jumbo’s product page states that the ingredients in Bio+ Fair Chocolate Biscuits meet Fairtrade conditions, but also says the product is no longer part of its online range.
Before choosing this variant, check whether the exact pack is available.
Albert Heijn lists Fairtrade cocoa for specific Verkade chocolate biscuits, including Choco s'mores, Lange Nekken and Chocorondjes.
Lotus provides product information for Biscoff Chocolade. Chocolate with Biscoff isn’t necessarily the same as a Fairtrade chocolate biscuit.
Product pages for several Verkade biscuits list Fairtrade cocoa and details that can help you compare the packaging and ingredients.
Jumbo states that the dark chocolate and cane sugar in Bio+ Fair Chocolate Biscuits have been traded under Fairtrade conditions.
Lidl says its own-brand cocoa is sourced from certified sustainable agriculture, with several possible certifications.
ALDI lists both a Fairtrade range and individual Biscotto chocolate biscuits, packed in pairs.
Check for a Fairtrade cocoa claim or the relevant certification mark on the packaging or product page for the exact variant. A retailer’s general sustainability claim doesn’t prove that every biscuit is Fairtrade.
No. A Fairtrade claim doesn’t tell you whether a product is suitable as sports nutrition. Compare the portion size and nutritional information if you want to decide whether to take the biscuit as a treat.
Read the allergen information for the exact variant on the current label. The Verkade biscuits discussed here list milk and gluten-containing cereals, among other things. Other ingredients and ‘may contain’ warnings can vary by product.
Take the portion you want to eat and keep the packaging sealed and dry. The product information for the Verkade biscuits discussed here recommends storing them in a cool, dry place, so be mindful of heat in your bag or car too.