Who are these biscuits for?

Advent calendar makers who put Fairtrade first

You want to see a Fairtrade statement for the cocoa or chocolate on the biscuit you’ve chosen, rather than relying on a general claim about a retailer’s range.

Calendar makers who need individual portions

You’re filling separate compartments and want to know how many biscuits or clearly defined portions are in a pack before you buy.

People buying for several recipients

You’re sharing biscuits with a household, class or other group, so you need to check the ingredients, allergens and any may-contain warnings for each variant you choose.

What should you look for?

Start with the Fairtrade statement on the biscuit itself. Then check the label and packaging to see whether the quantity, allergens and storage requirements suit your calendar.

What to consider What to check before you buy Who it matters to
Fairtrade statement Look on the exact pack for Fairtrade cocoa, Fairtrade chocolate or an appropriate Fairtrade mark. If you need physical traceability, read the accompanying explanation too. I want to be sure the claim applies to the biscuit I’ve chosen, not just the retailer. Product-specific Fairtrade evidence is the top priority for around 31% of consumers.
Quantity and size Compare the number of biscuits or stated portions with the compartments you need to fill, and check that the biscuits will fit. If I’m putting a treat in every advent calendar compartment, I don’t want to run out halfway through. Quantity and size are the first concern for around 25% of consumers.
Allergens Read the current ingredients list for the exact variant, including any may-contain statements. If I’m buying for a group, I need to know whether everyone can have the biscuit I’ve chosen. Allergens are therefore the most important factor for around 25% of consumers.
Availability and storage For seasonal biscuits, check current availability and follow the best-before date and storage advice on the pack. If I’m filling the calendar in advance, I want to be able to buy all the treats in time and store them properly. Planning is the main consideration for around 19% of consumers.

Common mistakes when choosing advent biscuits

  • Mistaking a retailer’s policy for a Fairtrade claim on the biscuit

    Albert Heijn says that cocoa in its own-brand products is certified by Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade. That policy doesn’t confirm which claim appears on an individual chocolate biscuit.

    Check the Fairtrade statement or mark on the packaging of the variant you’re actually buying.

  • Assuming Fairtrade cocoa is fully segregated cocoa

    According to Fairtrade International, cocoa can be processed using the mass balance method: Fairtrade and non-Fairtrade cocoa may be mixed during processing, while the volumes are tracked.

    If physical traceability is essential to your choice, read the additional information about the certification on the packaging.

  • Assuming a portion means enough biscuits for every day

    Albert Heijn lists nine portions per pack for both Verkade Nobo Sprits milk chocolate and Verkade Chocorondjes milk chocolate. For Verkade Winterkoekjes, one biscuit counts as a portion, but that doesn’t tell you the total number of biscuits in the pack.

    Count the compartments you need to fill and check the number of biscuits or the portion details before deciding how many packs to buy.

  • Relying on the brand name to check for allergens

    The allergens listed vary between Verkade variants. May-contain warnings can also matter if you’re sharing biscuits with several people.

    Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging of the exact product you’ve chosen.

Brands and retailers to consider

These examples can help you search for a product-specific claim. A brand or retailer being mentioned here says nothing about every biscuit in its range.

Verkade

For the named variants Verkade Winterkoekjes, Chocorondjes milk chocolate and Nobo Sprits milk chocolate, Albert Heijn lists Fairtrade chocolate.

  • The product listings give you a starting point for comparing the Fairtrade claim and portions for each variant.
  • The named variants list milk and wheat; check each pack for other allergens and possible traces too.

ALDI

ALDI describes Winter Kransen as winter biscuits with a chocolate flavour and Fairtrade cocoa.

  • Their seasonal design suits an advent calendar with winter-themed shapes.
  • Check the current packaging for the number of biscuits, ingredients and allergens before planning your calendar.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn provides product information for the Verkade biscuits mentioned above and says that cocoa in its own-brand products is certified by Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade.

  • For specific product listings, you can compare portions, ingredients and allergens with the Fairtrade claim.
  • The own-brand policy doesn’t confirm that every individual biscuit is Fairtrade.

Lidl

Lidl describes a policy for certified own-brand cocoa and mentions Fairtrade certification for Favorina seasonal chocolate.

  • For extra advent chocolate, you can check the claim on the specific Favorina variant you choose.
  • That policy doesn’t confirm that any Lidl biscuit you pick has a Fairtrade claim.

Joybuy products for advent treats

For your advent calendar, compare chocolate biscuits such as Verkade Nobo Sprits milk chocolate and Verkade Chocorondjes milk chocolate. Check the product listing and packaging for the Fairtrade statement, portion count, allergens and storage advice before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

How can I identify Fairtrade chocolate in a biscuit?

Check the claim or mark on the packaging of the specific biscuit. Look for a statement such as Fairtrade cocoa or Fairtrade chocolate; a retailer’s general sustainability claim doesn’t confirm anything about that particular variant.

How many packs do I need for 24 days of advent?

It depends on how many biscuits you want in each compartment and how many are in the pack you choose. Albert Heijn lists nine portions per pack for Verkade Nobo Sprits milk chocolate and Verkade Chocorondjes milk chocolate, so one pack won’t provide 24 portions. Also check whether a stated portion is the same as one biscuit.

Are these Verkade biscuits suitable for someone with an allergy?

Don’t assume they are without checking. The named variants list milk and wheat, and other allergens or possible traces may vary by product. Check the current ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack for each recipient.

How should I store biscuits for a pre-filled advent calendar?

Follow the storage advice and best-before date on the packaging. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre generally advises keeping biscuits in a cool, dry, dark place in a well-sealed container; bear this in mind when you divide them between the advent compartments in advance.