Who is this choice relevant to?

Shoppers who want to understand the Fairtrade claim

You want to be able to see what the claim applies to on the biscuit itself. Fairtrade International uses different marks; if you see a mark with an arrow, read the explanation on the back too.

Families checking allergens

If children will be eating them too, you’ll want to know which ingredients and allergens are listed on the packaging. Even if you’ve bought the biscuit before, check the pack you’re using now.

Shoppers using biscuits as a baking ingredient

You’re looking for a biscuit to crumble or use as decoration, not loose chocolate to mix into the dough. Choose the right type of product for the step you have planned, and check the Fairtrade claim and allergen information too.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by checking the exact claim on the pack. Then decide whether the biscuit is suitable for the baking step you have in mind, and read the ingredients before serving it to children.

What to look for What to check when buying Who it matters to
Fairtrade claim Check the Fairtrade mark and, for a biscuit made with several ingredients, read the explanation on the back. I want to know whether the claim applies only to the cocoa or to other ingredients too. This clarity is the top priority for around 36% of shoppers.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging you’re going to use. If children are eating them too, I want to be able to take account of the allergens that are relevant to them. For around 29% of shoppers, this check is the highest priority.
How you’ll use it in baking Choose a biscuit to crumble or use as decoration; use loose chocolate if the recipe calls for chocolate pieces. I want to know in advance whether I need a crunchy addition or chocolate to mix into the dough. This baking use comes first for around 21% of shoppers.
Where to shop and availability Check the specific product and the current pack; a shop’s general cocoa policy does not confirm a Fairtrade claim for every biscuit. I want to be able to find a suitable biscuit before baking without relying on the shop’s name alone. For around 14% of shoppers, this practical choice of shop matters most.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a Fairtrade cocoa claim applies to the whole biscuit

    According to Fairtrade International, marks on products made with several ingredients can indicate different things about the ingredients and how they were sourced.

    Check the type of mark and read the explanation on the packaging.

  • Relying on the supermarket’s cocoa policy

    Albert Heijn, ALDI and Lidl refer to certification schemes other than Fairtrade for their own-brand cocoa too. That doesn’t tell you which mark is on a particular biscuit.

    Check the claim on the product you’ve chosen rather than relying on the shop’s name alone.

  • Waiting until after tasting to check the pack for allergens

    Specific chocolate biscuits may list milk, cereals containing gluten and soya; warnings about other allergens can also vary between products.

    Before baking and serving, read the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack.

  • Buying a filled biscuit for a recipe that calls for chocolate

    A ready-made chocolate biscuit is a different type of product from the loose chocolate that Fairtrade Nederland roughly chops and mixes into the dough in one of its biscuit recipes.

    Use biscuits when you want pieces of biscuit or decoration; choose loose chocolate when the recipe calls for it.

Brands and shops to explore

Claims about certified cocoa vary by product and mark. Use these brand names as a starting point when checking a specific pack.

Verkade

Verkade says that specific biscuits, including Choco Wolken, contain Fairtrade cocoa. Albert Heijn’s product information also says that the milk chocolate in Verkade Lange Nekken contains Fairtrade-certified cocoa.

  • A product-specific cocoa claim gives you something concrete to check on the pack.
  • Ingredients and allergens vary by biscuit, so check the packaging of the product you’ve chosen.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn says that the cocoa in its own-brand products is certified by Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade.

  • Its policy identifies Fairtrade as one possible certification scheme for own-brand cocoa.
  • You’ll need to check which certification scheme applies to each biscuit.

Jumbo

Jumbo’s product information for Bio+ Fair Chocolade Koekjes refers to Fairtrade conditions for the dark chocolate and cane sugar.

  • The claim identifies the ingredients it covers, rather than referring only to the shop.
  • The product page says this biscuit is no longer available in the online range; check other products individually.

Lidl

Lidl lists Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance and organic certification as schemes for its own-brand cocoa.

  • Its cocoa policy gives you a starting point when looking for a biscuit with a specific claim.
  • The policy does not confirm that every chocolate biscuit carries the Fairtrade mark.

ALDI

ALDI lists Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance or the EU organic logo as certification schemes for cocoa in its products.

  • Fairtrade is one of the certification schemes mentioned.
  • For a chocolate biscuit, check which claim actually appears on the product you’ve chosen.

Lotus

Lotus describes Biscoff as a biscuit that can also be used as a kitchen ingredient.

  • Its product format may suit you if you want to use a biscuit as an ingredient.
  • Don’t treat Biscoff as a Fairtrade chocolate biscuit unless the specific pack carries a relevant claim.

Chocolate biscuits at Joybuy

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘Fairtrade cocoa’ mean the whole chocolate biscuit is Fairtrade?

No, a Fairtrade cocoa claim does not automatically apply to every ingredient. Fairtrade International uses different marks for products made with several ingredients; check the packaging to see which ingredients and sourcing method the claim refers to.

Do I need to check the allergens again if I’ve bought the biscuit before?

Yes, read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you’re using now. The current packaging is the best guide to the product you’ve chosen, especially when children will be eating it too.

Are biscuits from a supermarket with certified cocoa always Fairtrade?

No, you can’t tell that from a general cocoa policy. Albert Heijn, ALDI and Lidl also refer to other certification schemes, so check the mark on the specific biscuit.

When should I use chocolate biscuits instead of loose chocolate?

Use a ready-made biscuit when you want pieces of biscuit as a topping or decoration. If the recipe calls for chocolate in the dough, choose loose chocolate; a recipe from Fairtrade Nederland uses roughly chopped chocolate for this.