Who is this choice relevant to?

Film fan who looks for Fairtrade

You’re looking for a chocolate biscuit that clearly states whether its cocoa or chocolate meets Fairtrade standards. If the biscuit contains several ingredients, you’ll want to know exactly what the claim applies to.

Sharing snacks during a film night

You want to take biscuits with you or share them with others. A pack of two may work better than a larger pack, but the pack size tells you nothing about the Fairtrade claim or allergens.

Shopper who needs to check ingredients

You take into account what you and others can eat when choosing. The ingredients list, highlighted allergens and any warnings on the pack are just as important as the chocolate flavour.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the biscuit itself: a brand’s general statement about its cocoa isn’t the same as a Fairtrade claim on that particular pack. Then compare the packaging and read the ingredients before buying, especially if anyone needs to avoid certain allergens.

What to look for What to check when buying Who it matters most to
Fairtrade claim Look for an explicit Fairtrade claim on the cocoa or chocolate. If there’s an arrow next to the logo, read the explanation on the back too. If I choose Fairtrade cocoa, I want to see which ingredient the claim applies to. This is the top priority for around 50% of consumers.
Taking out or sharing Check the pack size and whether the biscuits are individually wrapped or packed in pairs. Albert Heijn describes Verkade Lange Nekken as being packed in pairs. When I’m out and about, I don’t want to be left with a large, opened pack; at home, I want to be able to share easily. For around 30% of consumers, the packaging is the first thing they consider.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current ingredients list, highlighted allergens and any warnings such as ‘may contain’. If I’m sharing biscuits, I want to take everyone’s allergen requirements into account. For around 20% of consumers, checking the ingredients comes first.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing another certification with Fairtrade

    A Rainforest Alliance or organic claim isn’t automatically a Fairtrade claim. For example, Lotus Bakeries mentions Rainforest Alliance certification for certain chocolate products; that doesn’t establish the Fairtrade status of a biscuit.

    If Fairtrade is a must for you, look for an explicit Fairtrade claim on the specific biscuit and the relevant ingredients.

  • Assuming all the cocoa has remained physically separate

    According to Fairtrade International, mass balance is permitted for cocoa. So a Fairtrade claim doesn’t automatically mean that the cocoa in an individual biscuit has remained physically separate throughout the supply chain.

    If there’s an arrow next to the Fairtrade logo, read the explanation on the back. If physical traceability matters to you, check whether the product provides specific information about it.

  • Skipping the allergen label

    Fairtrade says nothing about the allergens in a chocolate biscuit. Ingredients and warnings may also vary between products.

    Check the pack you’re buying, even if you’ve already looked at the product page. If you’re sharing biscuits, take the requirements of everyone eating them into account.

  • Relying on an old product page to confirm availability

    A product listing shows you which biscuit you’re looking for, but not whether it’s available when you’re ready to buy. This matters especially if you want to take a particular biscuit to a planned film night.

    Check current availability with the retailer before you go out or place an order.

Brands and retailers to explore

The details below can help you find relevant product information. A brand policy or a retailer’s range doesn’t automatically make every chocolate biscuit from that brand a Fairtrade choice.

Verkade

Verkade says it uses Fairtrade-certified cocoa for the chocolate on its biscuits. Check the packaging to see what claim applies to the specific variety.

  • Albert Heijn explicitly describes the milk chocolate in Verkade Chocorondjes as Fairtrade.
  • A Fairtrade claim doesn’t replace the need to check the ingredients and allergens for each variety.

Albert Heijn

The product information for Verkade Chocorondjes describes the milk chocolate as Fairtrade, while the listing for Verkade Lange Nekken says the biscuits are packed in pairs.

  • The individual product pages give you a starting point for comparing the type of chocolate and the packaging.
  • Check the current packaging for the exact ingredients, allergens and Fairtrade claim for the biscuit you choose.

Jumbo

Jumbo says the dark chocolate and cane sugar in Bio+ Fair Chocolade Koekjes are traded under Fairtrade terms.

  • The claim makes it clear which ingredients the Fairtrade information applies to.
  • Check current availability and the packaging before counting on this specific product.

Lidl

Lidl Netherlands describes its own-brand products as containing certified cocoa, which may carry different certifications.

  • Its sourcing policy is a good reason to check the specific cocoa claim on a chocolate biscuit.
  • Certified cocoa doesn’t mean every own-brand biscuit carries a Fairtrade claim.

ALDI

ALDI Netherlands includes Fairtrade chocolate in its range.

  • This gives you a starting point if you’re looking for products with a Fairtrade claim.
  • A range of Fairtrade chocolate doesn’t confirm that a particular chocolate biscuit carries that claim.

Lotus Biscoff

The ingredients information consulted for original Lotus Biscoff describes a speculoos biscuit with no chocolate. So it’s a different kind of snack from Fairtrade chocolate biscuits.

  • An option to consider if you’re looking for a speculoos biscuit for your film night.
  • A certification mentioned by Lotus Bakeries for certain chocolate products isn’t a Fairtrade claim for original Biscoff biscuits.

Related products at Joybuy

More related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell if a chocolate biscuit contains Fairtrade cocoa?

Look for the FAIRTRADE mark or an explicit claim about Fairtrade cocoa or chocolate on the pack. Fairtrade International recommends checking the back if there’s an arrow next to the logo too. You’ll find more information there about which ingredients the claim applies to.

Can Fairtrade cocoa in a biscuit always be physically traced?

No, not necessarily. Fairtrade International allows mass balance for cocoa, which means Fairtrade and non-Fairtrade cocoa may be physically mixed in the supply chain. Check the product information if physical separation is important to you.

Which allergens should I check in chocolate biscuits?

Check the ingredients and allergens for the specific variety. The Verkade products mentioned, for example, include milk and cereals containing gluten, while warnings about other allergens may vary by product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be clearly listed on the label. Also check for any ‘may contain’ warning.

Are original Lotus Biscoff biscuits Fairtrade chocolate biscuits?

No. The ingredients information consulted for original Lotus Biscoff doesn’t list cocoa or chocolate. So if you’re specifically looking for a biscuit with Fairtrade chocolate, you’ll need to look for another variety with a suitable claim.

Can I rely on an older product page when planning a film night?

Use a product page to compare biscuits, but check the current packaging for ingredients, allergens and the Fairtrade claim. If you’re going out to buy one specific product, check its current availability with the retailer too.