For afternoon coffee, first look for a specific Fairtrade statement covering the cocoa or chocolate in the biscuit you have chosen. Then compare the portion size, nutritional information and allergens for that exact variety. A Fairtrade ingredient alone tells you nothing about the make-up of the whole biscuit or whether it is suitable for every guest.
You want to be able to identify which cocoa or chocolate was traded under Fairtrade terms when serving afternoon coffee. Bear in mind that the claim may apply to just one ingredient, as Milieu Centraal explains.
You want to know how many biscuits you are serving and how the nutritional information per portion compares with the figures per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends considering where snacks fit into the overall diet when planning food for older people.
You want to read the label on the variety you have bought before serving it, even if the chocolate is Fairtrade. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses the importance of clear allergen information on prepacked foods.
Start by checking the Fairtrade statement on the specific biscuit. Then choose a serving size and check the nutritional information and allergens for the people you are serving.
| What to check | What to look for when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade statement | Check the packaging or product page to see whether Fairtrade applies to the cocoa, the chocolate or another named ingredient. According to Milieu Centraal, a certification mark on a white background may apply to just one ingredient. | If I offer guests a biscuit with Fairtrade chocolate, I want to be able to find the claim on the product I have chosen. Around 42% of consumers prioritise a Fairtrade statement they can verify. |
| Portion size and nutritional information | Compare the serving size with the nutritional information per portion and per 100 g, including sugars and saturated fat. | When serving biscuits, I want to know what one coffee break includes, rather than looking only at the pack size. For around 33% of consumers, the portion and its nutritional information are the most important factors. |
| Allergens | Check the current label on the exact variety you have bought, including statements such as ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’. | If a guest needs to avoid certain allergens, I don’t want to rely on the Fairtrade claim or information about another variety. Checking allergens for the specific product is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
A Fairtrade statement relates to the named raw ingredient; it doesn’t tell you how much sugar or saturated fat the biscuit contains. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that snacks should be considered as part of the overall diet.
Use the statement to help you choose based on ingredient sourcing, and also check the nutrition table and portion size.
Albert Heijn says the cocoa in its own-brand products is Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade certified. This does not confirm that every biscuit from another brand sold by the retailer is Fairtrade.
Check the Fairtrade wording on the packaging or product page for the variety you are actually choosing.
A comparison per 100 g doesn’t show how many biscuits someone gets with their coffee. Albert Heijn lists a 16.7 g portion for Verkade Chocorondjes; according to the product information, Verkade Lange Nekken are packed in pairs.
First decide how much you will serve each person, then check the nutritional information for that amount.
For the Chocorondjes and Lange Nekken described by Albert Heijn, Fairtrade cocoa or Fairtrade milk chocolate is mentioned. Check the statement for each variety.
Jumbo’s product information for Bio+ Fair Chocolade Koekjes lists organic ingredients and states that the dark chocolate and cane sugar were traded under Fairtrade terms.
Albert Heijn publishes product information for the Verkade biscuits mentioned above and also makes a separate statement about the cocoa in its own-brand products.
Jumbo’s product information for Bio+ Fair Chocolade Koekjes specifies the Fairtrade terms for the chocolate and cane sugar.
ALDI Netherlands describes a range of Fairtrade products, including chocolate. For a chocolate biscuit, the statement on that specific product is what matters.
Not necessarily: a Fairtrade statement may apply to just one ingredient. Milieu Centraal explains that a certification mark on a white background can have this meaning, so check the packaging to see exactly which raw ingredient is named.
Fairtrade says nothing about nutritional value or anyone’s individual dietary needs. Consider the portion and nutritional information as part of the overall diet. When planning food for older people, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends limiting snacks that are high in energy and low in nutrients.
Yes. Before serving, read the current label on the variety you have bought. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be clearly listed on the labels of prepacked foods.
