When shopping for Christmas, only choose a chocolate biscuit if the product is explicitly labelled Fairtrade or Fairtrade cocoa; a brand or supermarket’s general sustainability policy isn’t enough. Check which ingredient the claim refers to, and if you’re buying biscuits for guests, check the latest allergen information too. Individually wrapped portions and a vegan label may influence what you choose to serve, but they don’t replace these checks.
Look for a Fairtrade claim on the packaging of the specific chocolate biscuit. According to Milieu Centraal, a Fairtrade logo on a white background may apply to just one certified ingredient, so read the text accompanying the certification too.
Before serving, check the ingredients list and any cross-contamination warnings on the latest packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses the importance of clear allergen labelling.
Individually wrapped portions can be handy when visiting at Christmas. Albert Heijn describes Lotus Biscoff Speculoos Belgian chocolate 3-pack as vegan, with three biscuits per pack. Check separately whether the biscuit you choose also carries a Fairtrade cocoa claim.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade cocoa | Read the certification and accompanying text on the exact product: which ingredient is certified? | If I’m looking for chocolate biscuits made with Fairtrade cocoa for Christmas, I want to be able to find the claim on the product I choose. Around 40% of consumers prioritise product-specific Fairtrade status. |
| Allergens and dietary requirements | Check the ingredients list and any cross-contamination warnings on the latest packaging; a vegan label doesn’t replace this check. | If guests have an allergy or follow a vegan diet, I want to know whether I can serve them the biscuits. Around 30% of consumers prioritise allergens and dietary requirements. |
| Portions and presentation | Compare the pack size and portion packaging with the number of people and the planned occasion. | For serving with coffee or handing out biscuits, I want a pack that suits the occasion. Around 30% of consumers prioritise portions and presentation. |
Albert Heijn says that the cocoa in its own-brand products is Rainforest Alliance- or Fairtrade-certified. That doesn’t tell you which of those two certifications applies to a particular biscuit.
If you specifically want Fairtrade cocoa, check the packaging or product page for the biscuit you’ve chosen.
According to Milieu Centraal, a logo on a white background may indicate that just one ingredient is certified. Fairtrade Nederland also describes mass balance as a possible approach for products including cocoa and sugar.
Read the text accompanying the certification, and only describe a biscuit as ‘made with Fairtrade cocoa’ if that’s what the product information confirms.
A vegan label doesn’t tell you whether a biscuit is suitable for someone with a food allergy. The Verkade examples described by Albert Heijn contain ingredients including milk and wheat, and also carry warnings about possible other allergens.
For every guest with an allergy, check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the latest packaging.
For two Verkade chocolate biscuits, Albert Heijn lists Fairtrade milk chocolate at product level: Lange nekken melkchocolade and Chocorondjes melkchocolade.
Albert Heijn says that the cocoa in its own-brand products is Rainforest Alliance- or Fairtrade-certified.
Albert Heijn describes Lotus Biscoff Speculoos Belgian chocolate 3-pack as vegan, with the biscuits wrapped in packs of three.
No, not automatically. According to Milieu Centraal, a logo on a white background may mean that one ingredient is Fairtrade-certified. Fairtrade Nederland says mass balance may be used for products including cocoa and sugar. Read the text on the packaging to see what the claim applies to.
Don’t rely on the vegan label alone. Check the ingredients and any cross-contamination warnings on the latest packaging. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens must be clearly listed on the label.
Yes. If you’re choosing something for a person with an allergy, warnings about possible cross-contamination are relevant too. Check the latest label on every biscuit you plan to serve and, if in doubt, ask your guest what’s suitable.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging of the product you’ve chosen. For Verkade Lange nekken melkchocolade, Albert Heijn says the biscuits should be stored in a cool, dry place.
