Guests looking specifically for Fairtrade cocoa
You want to see an explicit Fairtrade claim on the biscuit you choose, rather than just a general claim about sustainably sourced cocoa.
Who is this choice for?
Hosts who want biscuits ready to serve
You’re looking for a pre-packed chocolate biscuit you can serve without baking, with a cocoa certification you can check on each pack.
Hosts who need to consider allergens
You want to check the ingredients and allergens on the current packaging before the get-together, so guests know which biscuits are suitable for them.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start by checking for a Fairtrade claim on the individual pack. Then decide whether ready-to-serve convenience, allergen checks or baking your own matters most for your get-together.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Verifiable Fairtrade cocoa | Look for an explicit Fairtrade claim for the cocoa or chocolate on the pack. A general sustainability claim isn’t enough. | I want to be able to point out which cocoa has a Fairtrade claim at the get-together. For around 36% of consumers, having a verifiable Fairtrade option comes first. |
| Ready to serve | Check the contents of the pack and whether the biscuits suit the way you want to serve them. | If I have little time to prepare, I want to serve the biscuits without baking them first. For around 29% of consumers, being able to serve them straight away matters most. |
| Allergens and dietary requirements | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging, including any relevant ‘may contain’ warnings. | If guests have allergies or dietary requirements, I want to check in advance what the biscuits contain. For around 21% of consumers, this check is the main priority. |
| Baking your own | Check that you have the time and oven space, as well as chocolate with a product-specific Fairtrade claim. | If I want to choose the quantities and ingredients myself, I’m happy to put in the time to bake. For around 14% of consumers, having that control makes all the difference. |
Common mistakes
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Taking a general sustainability claim to mean Fairtrade
According to Albert Heijn, cocoa in its own-brand products may be Fairtrade- or Rainforest Alliance-certified. Lidl also lists organic as an option for its own-brand cocoa. So a supermarket-wide claim doesn’t tell you which certification applies to your biscuit.
If the Fairtrade certification is important to you, check for the claim on the individual pack.
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Assuming Fairtrade cocoa is always kept physically separate
Fairtrade International allows mass balance for cocoa. This means Fairtrade and non-Fairtrade cocoa can be physically mixed, while equivalent Fairtrade volumes are tracked along the supply chain.
If physical traceability is a deciding factor for you, read the explanation of the certification.
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Serving chocolate biscuits without checking allergens
The Verkade varieties described contain milk and cereals containing gluten. Warnings about other allergens may also be relevant to your guests.
Read the current packaging and keep the ingredients information handy. If a guest has told you about an allergy, check in advance which ingredients and warnings matter to them.
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Relying on an old product listing
An older product page doesn’t tell you whether you can still buy that biscuit for your get-together. Jumbo notes on previously listed products that they’re no longer available through that listing.
Before you shop, check that your chosen product is available, and read the packaging again when you buy it.
Brands to consider
Verkade
Worth considering if you’re looking for a ready-to-eat chocolate biscuit with an explicit Fairtrade cocoa claim: Albert Heijn lists this claim for Chocorondjes milk chocolate and Lange Nekken milk chocolate.
- You can check the Fairtrade chocolate claim on these individual products.
- The varieties described contain milk and cereals containing gluten; check the current packaging for each guest.
Albert Heijn
A place to check which cocoa certification is actually stated on each own-brand biscuit.
- According to Albert Heijn, cocoa in its own-brand products is Rainforest Alliance- or Fairtrade-certified.
- That statement doesn’t make every individual own-brand biscuit a Fairtrade product; check the label on the specific pack.
Lidl
An option for checking the specific cocoa certification of own-brand products.
- Lidl includes Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance and organic options in its own-brand cocoa policy.
- That policy doesn’t confirm that every chocolate biscuit contains Fairtrade cocoa; check the pack of the variety you choose.
Joybuy products for your get-together
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘sustainable cocoa’ automatically mean Fairtrade cocoa?
No. Albert Heijn lists Fairtrade or Rainforest Alliance for its own-brand cocoa, while Lidl also lists organic as an option. If you specifically want Fairtrade, choose based on the claim on the individual biscuit pack.
Is Fairtrade cocoa kept physically separate from other cocoa?
Not necessarily. Fairtrade International allows mass balance for cocoa, which means physical cocoa supplies can be mixed while equivalent Fairtrade volumes are tracked. Read the explanation of the certification if this distinction matters to your choice.
Where can I check the allergens in biscuits for my guests?
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging for each variety you choose. Also look for ‘may contain’ warnings if they’re relevant to a guest, and check their requirements in advance if they’ve told you about an allergy.
Can I bake my own biscuits with Fairtrade chocolate?
Yes, if you have time to prepare them and choose chocolate that carries a Fairtrade cocoa claim on the product. Fairtrade Netherlands has a recipe for chocolate chip cookies made with chocolate from Fairtrade cocoa; also check the ingredients and allergens in everything you use.