If Fairtrade is a requirement for the school fair, choose biscuits whose current packaging clearly shows what the Fairtrade claim applies to. Also check the allergen information and the school’s arrangements. A Fairtrade claim doesn’t automatically make a biscuit suitable for every pupil, and a claim about Rainforest Alliance cocoa isn’t the same as Fairtrade.
You want to be able to show exactly what the Fairtrade claim applies to for the biscuits you choose. So check the certification mark and accompanying wording on the packaging. A general claim about sustainable cocoa isn’t enough to prove Fairtrade status.
You’re buying for pupils with a range of needs. Ask the school or parents which allergens are relevant, then compare that information with the current ingredients list and any ‘may contain’ statement.
You’re looking for portions that meet the school’s requirements, and you want to keep product information available while serving or selling the biscuits. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises asking about allergies and other dietary requirements in advance when providing treats.
First, check that the Fairtrade claim meets the fair’s requirements. Then assess each product’s allergens and decide how you plan to offer the biscuits.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade claim | Check the current packaging to see whether the claim applies to the product, the cocoa or other ingredients. Don’t treat a different sustainability certification as Fairtrade. | If Fairtrade is a firm requirement for the fair, I want to be able to identify exactly what the claim applies to. Around 39% of consumers prioritise verifiable Fairtrade status. |
| Allergens and school requirements | Compare the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ statement with the information provided by the school or parents. | When buying for a group of pupils with different allergies, I want to know who a biscuit isn’t suitable for before handing it out. This is the top priority for around 38% of consumers. |
| Portions and serving | Check the portion size and decide how to keep the ingredients and allergen information available with the product. | If I need to hand out lots of biscuits during one fair, I want manageable portions that meet the school’s requirements. Around 23% of consumers prioritise ease of serving. |
A claim about Rainforest Alliance, organic production or sustainably certified cocoa doesn’t confirm that a biscuit carries a Fairtrade claim. This distinction matters if the school or fair specifically asks for Fairtrade.
Check the certification mark and the exact claim on the packaging of the product you choose.
Product information from Albert Heijn, PLUS and Hoppe also lists other allergens in various biscuits and snacks, such as milk, egg, soya or peanuts, or states that the product may contain nuts.
Before buying, check the full, current allergen information and ask which restrictions apply to the pupils.
Without the original packaging, the ingredients, allergen and Fairtrade claim information is no longer readily available with each biscuit. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that businesses and institutions offering non-prepacked food must inform consumers about the allergens it contains.
Keep the original packaging with the product, or make sure the current allergen information is available at the sales table.
Jumbo says that Bio+ Fair Chocolade Koekjes is no longer part of its online range. The Fairtrade ingredients described on the page therefore don’t tell you whether the product is available for your fair.
Before buying, check that your chosen product is available and that its packaging still carries the same claim.
Albert Heijn’s product information makes a Fairtrade claim for AH Chocobites, a chocolate snack containing biscuit pieces. This says nothing about the Fairtrade status of other Albert Heijn biscuits.
For Bio+ Fair Chocolade Koekjes, Jumbo specifies which ingredients have been traded on Fairtrade terms.
Lidl describes the certification of cocoa in its own-brand products and mentions Fairtrade certification for Favorina seasonal chocolate. This isn’t a product claim for just any biscuit.
ALDI Netherlands lists Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance and the EU organic logo as separate certification routes for cocoa in its products.
Lotus Bakeries mentions Rainforest Alliance certification for the cocoa and chocolate in certain chocolate products, including Lotus Biscoff chocolate bars.
Hoppe describes its Double Chocolate Cookies as individually wrapped and uses the term ‘fairtrade’ on the product page.
Look for the FAIRTRADE Mark and the accompanying wording on the current packaging. Fairtrade Netherlands has separate rules for products with multiple ingredients, so check whether the claim applies to the whole product or to specific ingredients. A general claim about sustainably certified cocoa won’t tell you this.
Only make a Fairtrade claim if it appears on the packaging of the specific biscuits. Lotus Bakeries mentions Rainforest Alliance certification for cocoa and chocolate in certain products, including chocolate bars. This claim isn’t interchangeable with Fairtrade.
Check the full allergen information for every product you choose and ask the school or parents which allergies are relevant. Product information from Albert Heijn, PLUS and Hoppe shows that products may contain milk, egg, soya and peanuts, as well as gluten-containing cereals. Also check for any ‘may contain’ statements.
Make sure the current allergen information remains available with the biscuits, and decide in advance how you’ll share it with visitors. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, businesses and institutions must inform consumers about allergens when offering non-prepacked food. Make sure your approach suits the way the fair is organised.
Start with the school’s requirements and choose a portion that meets them. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises offering small portions if you choose biscuits or sweets, and recommends taking allergies and other dietary requirements into account in advance.
