Who is this choice relevant to?

Hosts who put Fairtrade first

You want to serve chocolate biscuits whose specific product packaging states that the cocoa or chocolate is Fairtrade. You’ll still need to compare the flavour and allergens too.

Shoppers weighing up flavour and convenience

You’re looking for biscuits that are easy to put out, share or hand out to each guest. The size or packaging can help you decide, but it says nothing about Fairtrade status.

Shoppers checking allergens or dietary suitability

Before buying, you need to read the ingredients and any warnings about traces of allergens on the exact product. A Fairtrade claim is no substitute for checking this.

What should you consider when choosing?

If a biscuit needs to be suitable for someone with an allergy, check the label first. Then compare the Fairtrade claim for the specific product and consider how you want to serve the biscuits.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Fairtrade cocoa or chocolate Look for an explicit Fairtrade claim for the cocoa or chocolate on the packaging or product page for the exact product. A general range-wide policy isn’t enough. If Fairtrade is a must for me, I want to be able to check the claim on the biscuits I’m actually serving. Around 42% of consumers put this product-specific Fairtrade choice first.
Flavour and serving convenience Compare the type of biscuit, the number of biscuits or portions, and the packaging for the specific product. For a sharing plate or handing biscuits out to guests, I’m looking for a type and quantity that suit my group. Around 25% of consumers put this convenience first.
Allergens and dietary suitability Read the ingredients, highlighted allergens and any warnings such as ‘may contain’ on the current packaging. If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I can’t rely on the chocolate flavour or a Fairtrade claim. Checking the label is the top priority for around 33% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a supermarket policy means every biscuit carries a Fairtrade claim

    Albert Heijn says that the cocoa in its own-brand products is Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade certified. That policy doesn’t automatically make an individual biscuit a Fairtrade choice.

    If you specifically want Fairtrade, check the claim on the packaging or product page for the product you’ve chosen.

  • Reading only the front of the pack

    The Verkade biscuits we looked at differ in their ingredients and warnings about possible traces of allergens. So a similar chocolate flavour isn’t a reliable basis for choosing biscuits for someone with an allergy.

    Before serving, read the allergen and ‘may contain’ information on the exact pack.

  • Assuming a product listing means you can order it straight away

    A product page can help you compare options, but availability may change before you organise your drinks party.

    Check current availability and delivery options just before ordering.

Brands and product ranges to consider

Verkade

For the Lange Nekken and Nobo Sprits Milk Chocolate products we looked at, Albert Heijn’s product information mentions Fairtrade cocoa or Fairtrade milk chocolate.

  • Information about these products helps you compare the type of chocolate, ingredients and allergens separately.
  • A Fairtrade claim doesn’t mean the biscuits are allergen-free or vegan, so check the current label.

Albert Heijn

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

  • This policy gives you a useful starting point when looking at own-brand products containing cocoa.
  • As the policy mentions two certification schemes, you’ll need to check the individual product if you specifically want Fairtrade.

Lidl Way To Go

Lidl describes its Way To Go chocolate bars as fully Fairtrade certified.

  • A chocolate bar could work alongside biscuits on a drinks-party spread if you’re also open to serving chocolate on its own.
  • The claim for these bars doesn’t confirm the Fairtrade status of Lidl biscuits.

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus Biscoff says that the 300 individually wrapped Original biscuits in the pack we looked at are vegan; the chocolate version described contains 22% chocolate.

  • Individually wrapped biscuits can be handy if you want to hand one to each guest.
  • These product features don’t confirm the Fairtrade status of the cocoa or chocolate. Check this separately if Fairtrade is a must.

ALDI

ALDI mentions Fairtrade chocolate in its range and also describes its Biscotto Chocolate Biscuits, which come in different types of chocolate.

  • The chocolate biscuits give you a specific product to assess by checking its ingredients and packaging information.
  • The Fairtrade claim for the range doesn’t confirm that the Biscotto biscuits contain Fairtrade cocoa.

Joybuy products for your drinks party

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I check whether the chocolate in a biscuit is Fairtrade?

Look for an explicit Fairtrade cocoa or Fairtrade chocolate claim on the current packaging or product page for the exact product. Albert Heijn mentions both Rainforest Alliance and Fairtrade for its own-brand products, so that general policy doesn’t confirm which certification applies to an individual biscuit.

Is a biscuit made with Fairtrade cocoa also vegan or allergen-free?

No. A Fairtrade claim for cocoa or chocolate says nothing about whether a product is suitable for vegans or free from allergens. Check the ingredients and allergens for the product you’ve chosen; the Verkade Lange Nekken and Nobo Sprits Milk Chocolate products we looked at, for example, list milk and wheat.

Where can I find allergen information when buying biscuits online?

Check the information for the exact product before buying, and read the packaging when your order arrives too. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for prepacked foods must appear on the label; Ondernemersplein states that mandatory label information must also be available online.

How should I store chocolate biscuits until my drinks party?

Follow the storage instructions on the packaging of the biscuits you’ve chosen. Keep the packaging too, so you can check the ingredients and allergens when serving them.