Who is this choice for?

Cyclists planning longer rides

You want to know whether the carbohydrates per serving fit your plans for what to eat during a ride, and you also factor in drinks. A Fairtrade label won’t tell you how much a biscuit contributes to that plan.

Fairtrade shoppers looking for a biscuit to take along

You’re looking for a chocolate biscuit to enjoy on the go and want to be able to see on the packaging of that exact variety what the Fairtrade label applies to.

Cyclists who choose ingredients and portions carefully

You consider the portion size and check the ingredients and allergen information before buying. This is especially important if certain ingredients aren’t suitable for you or if you’d rather not eat a large portion just before cycling.

What should you look for when buying?

First decide whether you’re taking the biscuit as a treat or want to include it in your eating plan for a longer, demanding ride. Then check the Fairtrade label and the information on the packaging of the variety you’ve chosen.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this most important for?
Carbohydrates and drinks Compare the carbohydrates per serving with your eating plan for the ride, and arrange drinks separately. A biscuit isn’t a substitute for a drink. For a long, demanding ride, I don’t just want to take a biscuit; I want to know how the serving fits into my plan. This would be the main priority for around 42% of consumers.
Fairtrade label Check the claim on the exact variety and see what it applies to. According to Fairtrade International, mass balance is permitted for cocoa, so the claim does not automatically prove that the cocoa has been kept physically separate. If I’m buying mainly because of Fairtrade, I want to see a specific product claim rather than assume it applies to the brand as a whole. This check would come first for around 33% of consumers.
Portion and ingredients Check the portion size, ingredients and allergens on the current label. Also look at the fat and fibre content if you want to eat the biscuit just before your ride. I want to be able to portion the biscuit easily and know in advance whether its ingredients suit me. This would be the main consideration for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a Fairtrade cocoa claim means the cocoa is kept physically separate

    According to Fairtrade International, mass balance can be used for cocoa: certified and non-certified cocoa may be mixed during processing, while Fairtrade volumes are tracked along the supply chain.

    Read the information on the packaging if physical traceability is a condition of your purchase. Don’t assume the cocoa is kept physically separate just because the word Fairtrade appears on the pack.

  • Thinking a chocolate biscuit is right for every bike ride

    For a long, demanding ride, you need to consider both drinks and carbohydrates. The Voedingscentrum also points out that a large portion, or a product high in fat, protein or fibre, may stay in your stomach for longer if you eat it just before exercise.

    Consider the portion in relation to your ride, and try a new biscuit during training first if you want to eat it while cycling.

  • Only reading the front of the pack

    A Fairtrade label doesn’t tell you whether the ingredients suit your dietary preferences or allergies. Ingredients and allergens vary between biscuit varieties.

    Check the label on the pack you’re buying, including the allergens, portion size, best-before date and storage advice.

Brands and product ranges compared

Verkade

Albert Heijn lists Fairtrade cocoa in the specific varieties Crunchy oat biscuits with milk chocolate and Choco s'mores. Joybuy lists Fairtrade ingredients in Lange Nekken; check the current packaging to see which ingredients the claim covers.

  • For these product varieties, you can compare the Fairtrade label with the ingredients and nutrition information.
  • The labels don’t automatically apply to other Verkade biscuits. According to the product information, Choco s'mores contains beef gelatine; check the allergens for each variety too.

Albert Heijn / AH Biologisch

For its AH Biologisch extra dark chocolate bar, Albert Heijn lists Fairtrade-traded ingredients and explains mass balance.

  • The product information can help you understand the Fairtrade label on chocolate.
  • This is a chocolate bar, not a chocolate biscuit. Don’t use it as a direct comparison for the portion or packaging of a biscuit to take on a bike ride.

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus Bakeries describes Biscoff as a crisp, caramelised biscuit. The brand name alone doesn’t tell you whether a specific pack meets your Fairtrade requirements.

  • A familiar biscuit range to compare if you’re mainly interested in the Biscoff variety.
  • Don’t assume it’s a Fairtrade cocoa option unless the packaging of the variety you’ve chosen carries a relevant claim.

Biscuits at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is a Fairtrade chocolate biscuit suitable for every bike ride?

No. A Fairtrade label doesn’t automatically make a biscuit suitable for every ride. For a long, demanding ride, your plans for carbohydrates and drinks are more important when making this choice. So compare the nutrition information per serving and take drinks separately.

Can I eat an oat or chocolate biscuit just before cycling?

It depends, among other things, on the portion size and what you find comfortable before exercise. The Voedingscentrum advises against having a large portion at that point and recommends taking care with products high in fat, protein or fibre, as these may stay in your stomach for longer.

Does Fairtrade cocoa mean the cocoa in my biscuit was processed separately?

No, not necessarily. Fairtrade International permits mass balance for cocoa: Fairtrade and non-Fairtrade cocoa may be mixed during processing, while Fairtrade volumes are tracked along the supply chain. Check any additional information on the packaging if physical separation is essential to your choice.

Where can I check the allergens in a chocolate biscuit?

Read the allergen information on the label of the pack you’re actually buying. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the mandatory allergen information on food labels; don’t assume the ingredients are the same as those in another variety, even if it’s from the same brand.