Who is this relevant to?

The host who looks for Fairtrade

You want to serve biscuits with a specific Fairtrade statement covering cocoa, chocolate or named ingredients, rather than relying on a general claim about the brand.

The shopper looking for organic options too

You want to check both the organic and Fairtrade statements on the product you choose, as they don’t necessarily apply to the same ingredients.

The host who checks ingredients

You’re buying for several people and want to read the ingredients, allergen information and any warnings on the current packaging before serving.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the Fairtrade statement on the specific biscuit. Then decide what type you want to serve and check the packaging for ingredients and allergens.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Fairtrade statement Check whether the statement applies to cocoa, chocolate or specific named ingredients. A different certification on another product doesn’t confirm this. At a get-together, I want to be able to explain exactly what the Fairtrade statement covers, without suggesting it applies to every ingredient. This proof is the top priority for an estimated 44% of consumers.
Type of biscuit Check whether the biscuit is crisp, filled or coated in chocolate, and decide which type you want to serve. If I’m serving biscuits straight from a plate, I want a choice of different flavours and textures. This is the first consideration for an estimated 33% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current ingredients list, allergen information and any warnings. Compare nutritional values per 100 g if needed. When serving guests, I want to check the packaging before putting the biscuits out, especially when ingredients or allergens matter. This check is the most important factor for an estimated 23% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a brand claim means every biscuit is Fairtrade

    According to Lotus Bakeries, the Rainforest Alliance certification it refers to applies to cocoa in specific product groups, including Biscoff chocolate bars. This doesn’t confirm Fairtrade status for an ordinary Biscoff biscuit. Likewise, a Fairtrade statement for chocolate doesn’t automatically cover the other ingredients.

    Check which chocolate, cocoa or other ingredients are covered by the statement on the product you’ve chosen.

  • Relying only on allergen information online

    Recipes can change. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains which allergens must be listed on food labels.

    Before serving, check the packaging of the biscuits you actually bought, including any warnings about cross-contamination.

  • Assuming organic and Fairtrade mean the same thing

    For Bio+ Fair Chocolade Koekjes, Jumbo listed organic ingredients and Fairtrade terms for dark chocolate and cane sugar separately; together, these accounted for 47% of the product.

    Check both statements separately if you’re looking for both qualities.

Brands to consider

Verkade

Worth considering if you’re looking for a chocolate biscuit with an explicit Fairtrade statement.

  • Verkade says it uses Fairtrade-certified cocoa for the chocolate coating on its biscuits. Albert Heijn describes the chocolate in Verkade Chocorondjes as Fairtrade milk chocolate.
  • These statements don’t automatically make all the ingredients Fairtrade. For Chocorondjes, check the latest allergen information too.

BIO+

Worth considering if you want to check both the organic and Fairtrade statements on a specific biscuit.

  • For Bio+ Fair Chocolade Koekjes, Jumbo stated that the dark chocolate and cane sugar, together accounting for 47%, had been traded under Fairtrade terms.
  • There’s no clear evidence that the statement covers all the ingredients. Also check whether the product is available; Jumbo listed it as no longer part of its online range.

Lotus Biscoff

A point of comparison if you’re considering a crisp, caramelised biscuit but Fairtrade is a separate requirement.

  • Lotus Bakeries describes the standard Biscoff biscuit as crisp and caramelised.
  • The Rainforest Alliance certification Lotus mentions for cocoa in products including Biscoff chocolate bars doesn’t confirm Fairtrade status for the standard biscuit. Check the specific packaging for that.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products will appear soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does Fairtrade cocoa mean the whole biscuit is Fairtrade?

No. A Fairtrade statement for cocoa or chocolate doesn’t automatically apply to all the ingredients. For example, Jumbo stated that the dark chocolate and cane sugar in Bio+ Fair Chocolade Koekjes, together accounting for 47%, had been traded under Fairtrade terms. Check which ingredients are covered by the claim on the specific product.

Which allergens should I check in biscuits for a get-together?

Check the allergen information and any warnings on the packaging of the biscuits you’ve chosen. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the labelling rules for 14 allergens; which ones are relevant varies by product. If you’re serving guests, check for milk, wheat, nuts, peanuts, eggs and soya, among others.

How do I compare the nutritional value of two biscuits?

Compare the nutritional information for similar biscuits per 100 g, so different portion sizes don’t affect the comparison. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends using this basis for comparison. Then look at the values that matter to your choice, such as sugars, fats, fibre or salt, alongside the separate Fairtrade statement.

Is a standard Lotus Biscoff biscuit a Fairtrade choice?

A brand statement about other products isn’t enough to confirm this. Lotus Bakeries mentions Rainforest Alliance certification for cocoa in products including Biscoff chocolate bars; this doesn’t confirm Fairtrade status for the standard Biscoff biscuit. If Fairtrade is a must for you, check the packaging of the variant you want to buy.