Who is this choice relevant to?

Coffee drinkers who look for certification

You want to be able to see which Fairtrade claim applies to the pack of chocolate biscuits you choose. A general sustainability claim from the retailer isn’t enough.

Chocolate biscuit lovers

You’re mainly looking for a flavour and texture that suit your coffee break. If Fairtrade matters to you too, check the claim on the exact variant you choose.

Practical food shoppers

You want to find a biscuit you can actually buy, so you check the current range and the packaging. This is particularly important for seasonal products, which can vary over time.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with what matters most to you in a chocolate biscuit for your coffee: a verifiable Fairtrade claim, the flavour, the ingredients or availability.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this most important to?
Fairtrade claim Check the certification mark or explicit ingredient statement on the pack. If there’s an arrow next to the mark, read the additional information. I want to know which Fairtrade claim applies to my biscuit before choosing based on flavour. For around 36% of consumers, this check comes first.
Flavour and type of chocolate Compare the type of biscuit and chocolate, and check the Fairtrade claim separately for that same variant. For my coffee, I’m mainly looking for a biscuit with a flavour and texture I enjoy. Around 29% of consumers give this top priority.
Ingredients and nutritional information Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values for the exact variant. If you’re comparing products, it’s best to compare them per 100 g. If I need to avoid an ingredient or compare nutritional values, I check the label first. This information matters most to around 21% of consumers.
Availability Check whether your chosen variant is currently available, and look at the statement on the pack when you receive or buy it. I want to be able to pick up a biscuit for my usual coffee break, even if a previous choice turns out to be seasonal. For around 14% of consumers, availability is their main concern.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking a retailer’s policy for a mark on the biscuit

    Albert Heijn says that its own-brand cocoa is Fairtrade or Rainforest Alliance certified; Lidl Netherlands says its own-brand cocoa includes Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance and organic options. Neither policy tells you which claim appears on an individual pack of biscuits.

    Use the retailer’s policy to guide your search, but check the Fairtrade claim on the pack you choose.

  • Assuming you can always physically trace Fairtrade cocoa to the pack

    According to Fairtrade International, mass balance is permitted for cocoa. With this method, the cocoa in a specific pack doesn’t have to be physically traceable as separate from other cocoa, even though an equivalent quantity is traded under Fairtrade terms.

    Read the additional information on the packaging if there’s an arrow next to the mark. Only assume the cocoa is physically traceable if the product information explicitly confirms this.

  • Taking the word ‘Fair’ in a product name as proof of certification

    A name such as Bio+ Fair Chocolade Koekjes doesn’t, by itself, tell you which certification applies to the product. An organic label is not the same as a Fairtrade claim either.

    Look for the certification mark or a clear, product-specific Fairtrade ingredient claim on the packaging.

  • Relying on a seasonal biscuit as an everyday choice

    ALDI Netherlands lists Fairtrade cocoa in its Winter Kransen with chocolate flavour. That doesn’t mean it’s a product you can count on being available all year round.

    Check the current range and the packaging before planning to enjoy a seasonal product at a future coffee break.

Brands and retailers to start with

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus Bakeries describes Biscoff as a crunchy, caramelised biscuit to enjoy with coffee.

  • A flavour and texture option if you’re looking for a classic coffee biscuit.
  • That pairing with coffee doesn’t substantiate a Fairtrade claim or a chocolate variant; check the specific product for details.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn says it uses Fairtrade- or Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa in its own-brand products.

  • Its cocoa policy can help you narrow down your search to own-brand products.
  • As the policy covers two certification schemes, you’ll need to check the Fairtrade claim on the biscuit you choose separately.

Jumbo

Jumbo provides product information about chocolate biscuits, including the nutritional values for Bio+ Fair Chocolade Koekjes.

  • Product information can help you compare variants and nutritional values.
  • The word ‘Fair’ in a product name isn’t proof of a Fairtrade mark; check the packaging.

Lidl

Lidl Netherlands describes several certification schemes for its own-brand cocoa, including Fairtrade.

  • Its policy gives you a starting point when looking for products made with certified cocoa.
  • One of the schemes listed doesn’t automatically apply to every chocolate biscuit; check the pack of the variant you choose.

ALDI

ALDI Netherlands lists Fairtrade chocolate in its range and states that its seasonal Winter Kransen contain Fairtrade cocoa.

  • A specific starting point if you’re looking for a biscuit with a Fairtrade cocoa claim.
  • Check whether the seasonal product is available and whether the claim appears on the pack you choose.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are all the ingredients Fairtrade if a biscuit has a FAIRTRADE mark?

No, not necessarily. According to Fairtrade International, for a product with multiple ingredients, the claim applies to the ingredients available under Fairtrade terms. Check the packaging to see which ingredients are covered.

What does an arrow next to the Fairtrade mark mean?

The arrow points to additional information on the packaging about the ingredients or how they’re sourced. Fairtrade International allows mass balance for cocoa, which means the cocoa in a specific pack doesn’t have to be physically traceable as separate from other cocoa.

What should I check if ingredients or nutritional values matter to me?

Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for the exact biscuit variant. For example, Jumbo lists 533 kcal and 37.0 g of sugars per 100 g for Bio+ Fair Chocolade Koekjes. These values don’t automatically apply to other biscuits and don’t tell you whether a product has a Fairtrade mark.

Is a general claim about sustainably sourced cocoa enough for a Fairtrade biscuit?

No. Albert Heijn and Lidl Netherlands list several certification schemes in their cocoa policies. So check whether the pack of the biscuit you choose has a FAIRTRADE mark or a clear Fairtrade ingredient statement.