Who is this choice relevant to?

Shoppers specifically looking for Fairtrade

You want to see that the cocoa or chocolate in your chosen chocolate biscuit meets Fairtrade standards. A general statement about a brand or range is not enough.

Shoppers comparing ranges online

You’re looking at different flavours and pack sizes, but don’t want to confuse a category page with information about an individual product. Open the product page before you order.

Shoppers who need to consider ingredients and allergens

As well as the Fairtrade statement, you’ll need the ingredients list and allergen information. When your order arrives, compare the online details with the packaging label.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by checking the Fairtrade statement for the individual biscuit. Then make sure the ingredients, availability and pack contents meet your needs.

What to check What to look for when buying Who it matters to
Fairtrade statement Look on the product page or packaging for an explicit Fairtrade statement about the cocoa or chocolate, such as FairTrade COCOA or confirmation that it was traded on Fairtrade terms. If Fairtrade is a deciding factor for me, I want to see the statement for this specific biscuit. For around 38% of consumers, this product-specific confirmation is the top priority.
Ingredients and allergens Read the ingredients and allergen information, along with any warnings about the possible presence of other allergens. Check the packaging label when your order arrives, too. If I need to watch out for particular ingredients or allergens, I want to know what applies to this product before ordering. Around 23% of consumers put this check first.
Online availability Open the individual product page and check that you can add your chosen biscuit to your order. I don’t want to rely on an old search result when arranging a grocery delivery. Current availability is the most important factor for around 23% of consumers.
Pack contents Compare the net weight and, where listed, the number of servings for the products that meet your other requirements. If I’m buying biscuits to share or for several occasions, I want to know how many are in the pack. For around 16% of consumers, choosing a suitable pack size comes first.

Common mistakes when ordering online

  • Mistaking a broad cocoa policy for a Fairtrade statement on the biscuits

    Albert Heijn says that the cocoa in its own-brand products is certified by either Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade. This does not tell you which of the two certifications applies to an individual product.

    Look for a specific Fairtrade statement on the product page or packaging of your chosen chocolate biscuit.

  • Assuming Fairtrade means full physical traceability

    Fairtrade International allows mass balance for cocoa. This means certified and non-certified cocoa may be mixed during processing, while the certified volumes are tracked.

    If physical traceability is a separate requirement for you, check whether the manufacturer provides further information about it.

  • Reading only the product name and overlooking allergens

    A Fairtrade statement says nothing about whether a product’s ingredients or allergens are suitable for you. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses the importance of clear allergen information on the label.

    Read the product information before ordering and check the packaging when your order arrives.

  • Mistaking an old product listing for a current option to order

    An earlier Jumbo listing for Bio+ Fair Chocolade Koekjes described ingredients traded on Fairtrade terms, but also stated that the product was no longer in its online range.

    If you find a product, check again that you can add it to your order.

Brands and retailers to consider

Verkade

In 2022, Fairtrade Netherlands reported that the cocoa in Verkade chocolate bars and biscuits is Fairtrade. Albert Heijn displays the FairTrade COCOA statement for Verkade Chocorondjes milk chocolate.

  • The statement on Chocorondjes gives you a specific product to check for Fairtrade cocoa.
  • For the flavour you choose, check the current ingredients, allergen information and availability, too.

Albert Heijn

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

  • An individual product page may show the statement for the biscuit you’ve chosen.
  • The own-brand policy alone does not identify a specific product as Fairtrade, as it also covers Rainforest Alliance.

Jumbo

Jumbo has an online category for chocolate biscuits and has also published individual product information about biscuits containing ingredients traded on Fairtrade terms.

  • Check the individual product page for details about the ingredients.
  • Being listed in the category does not confirm the Fairtrade status or current availability of every biscuit.

Bio+

An earlier Jumbo page for Bio+ Fair Chocolade Koekjes stated that the dark chocolate and cane sugar were traded on Fairtrade terms.

  • The listing made clear which ingredients the Fairtrade terms applied to.
  • The same Jumbo listing stated that the product was no longer in its online range. Don’t assume it’s currently available without checking again before you order.

Joybuy products for this choice

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does Fairtrade cocoa mean the cocoa in my biscuit is fully physically traceable?

No, not automatically. Fairtrade International allows mass balance for cocoa, meaning certified and non-certified cocoa may be mixed during processing while the certified volumes are tracked. Look for further information about its origin if physical traceability is essential to you.

Is a general supermarket sustainability claim enough if I’m looking for Fairtrade?

No. Check which statement applies to the individual chocolate biscuit. For example, Albert Heijn says that the cocoa in its own-brand products is certified by either Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade. This policy does not confirm that every own-brand biscuit contains Fairtrade cocoa.

What should I check about allergens before ordering chocolate biscuits online?

Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the individual product page, along with any warnings about the possible presence of other allergens. When your order arrives, compare this information with the packaging label. A Fairtrade statement does not replace this check.

Can I rely on an old product page when placing a repeat order?

When ordering again, check the current product page and read the packaging when your order arrives. This lets you check the ingredients, allergens and Fairtrade statement for the product you actually receive, rather than relying only on an earlier listing.