If the cocoa is your deciding factor, choose a chocolate biscuit with a Fairtrade logo or an explicit Fairtrade cocoa claim. Then check whether the portion format suits coffee on the go or a plate of biscuits alongside cake, and check the latest ingredients and allergen information before serving.
You want to be able to see whether the cocoa or chocolate in your chosen biscuit carries a Fairtrade claim. Milieu Centraal points out that a Fairtrade logo on a white background may apply to a certified ingredient only, not the entire product.
You’re buying biscuits for yourself or guests and need to know which ingredients and allergens are listed for your chosen variety. Also check the current packaging for any warnings about traces of allergens.
You’re looking for a biscuit that suits the occasion: an individually wrapped portion for on the go, or biscuits to arrange on a plate. Compare the packaging, portion size and filling to find the right option.
Start by checking the Fairtrade claim for the exact biscuit variety. Then consider the ingredients and how you plan to serve the biscuits.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade cocoa | Look for the Fairtrade logo or an explicit cocoa claim on your chosen variety. Check whether the claim applies to an ingredient or the whole product. | If the sourcing claim is what matters most to me in a chocolate biscuit, I want to be able to identify it on the packaging. Around 50% of consumers prioritise verifiable Fairtrade cocoa. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the latest ingredients list and any ‘may contain’ warnings, even if you’ve bought the same biscuits before. | If a guest has an allergy, I need to know whether the variety I’ve chosen is suitable to serve. For around 30% of consumers, this check matters most. |
| Portions and serving format | Compare the number of biscuits, portion size and any individual packaging with the coffee occasion. | For coffee on the go, I want an individual portion; for a coffee table, I’d rather choose biscuits I can put out on a plate. Around 20% of consumers prioritise serving convenience. |
A brand may have a cocoa policy without every biscuit variety carrying a Fairtrade claim. A Fairtrade mark may also apply to one ingredient only.
So check the logo and wording on the packaging of the exact flavour and variety. Milieu Centraal distinguishes between a certified ingredient and a fully certified product.
Ingredients and warnings can vary between chocolate biscuits. A Fairtrade cocoa claim tells you nothing about whether a biscuit is suitable for someone with an allergy.
Before serving, read the latest ingredients list and warnings on the packaging, especially if you’re buying for someone with an allergy.
An individually wrapped portion can be handy for coffee on the go, but on its own it tells you nothing about nutritional value, Fairtrade status or ingredients.
Use the packaging format to judge serving convenience, and assess the cocoa label, ingredients and portion size separately.
Worth considering if you’re looking for chocolate biscuits with an explicit Fairtrade cocoa claim.
Worth considering when comparing cocoa certifications across an own-brand range.
Worth considering if you want to identify which cocoa claim applies to a specific Lotus product.
Worth considering if you want to compare the certification on an individual chocolate biscuit with the wider range.
No, not always. According to Milieu Centraal, a Fairtrade logo on a white background indicates a certified ingredient, not the whole product. Read the explanation on the packaging to see what the claim applies to.
Yes. Check the packaging you receive before serving the biscuits. The ingredients for your chosen variety and any allergen warnings are particularly important if someone has an allergy.
No, they’re different certifications. Choose based on the certification shown on the specific biscuit or its cocoa; a Rainforest Alliance claim on its own doesn’t confirm that the cocoa is Fairtrade.
Check the ingredients list on the packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergens which must be declared should be clearly indicated there. Also read any warnings such as ‘may contain’.
