Who are these choices relevant to?

Shoppers who prioritise Fairtrade cocoa

You want to be able to check whether the cocoa or chocolate in your chosen biscuit is labelled as Fairtrade before enjoying it as a TV snack. Then you can choose between flavours, ingredients and pack sizes.

Shoppers looking for biscuits to share

You put biscuits out during a film or TV series and want to know how many are in the pack, how many portions it contains and the nutritional information per 100 g.

Shoppers who need to check allergens

You check the ingredients and allergens for the exact product before buying or serving the biscuits. The allergens and possible traces listed for the Verkade varieties described by Albert Heijn differ.

What should you look for when choosing?

What to look for What to check when buying Who it matters to
Fairtrade statement Look for an explicit statement about the cocoa or chocolate on the exact flavour and pack. I want to see a clear Fairtrade statement for the cocoa in my biscuits, not just hear the brand talk about sustainability. Around 50% of shoppers put this product check first.
Portions and nutritional information Compare the pack size, number of portions and nutritional information per 100 g, including sugars and saturated fat. If I’m putting biscuits out during a film, I want to know how much to serve and what’s in a portion. For around 30% of shoppers, checking portions and nutritional information matters most.
Allergens Read the ingredients, highlighted allergens and warnings about possible traces on the current pack. If someone sharing the biscuits has an allergy, I need to know whether this particular variety is suitable to serve. Checking allergens comes first for around 20% of shoppers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming Fairtrade means it’s more nutritious

    A Fairtrade statement about the cocoa doesn’t tell you how much sugar or saturated fat the biscuit contains. For example, Albert Heijn lists 33 g of sugars and 17 g of saturated fat per 100 g for Verkade Chocorondjes.

    Check the Fairtrade statement and nutritional information separately for the exact product you’re considering.

  • Assuming a statement about one biscuit applies to the whole brand

    Albert Heijn lists Fairtrade cocoa or chocolate for specific Verkade biscuits. That doesn’t confirm the status of other flavours or pack sizes.

    Check the statement again if you switch to a different variety or pack size.

  • Checking allergens only after buying

    Allergens and warnings about possible traces vary between chocolate biscuits. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are listed on labels for pre-packed foods.

    Read the current pack before you buy. If you have a relevant allergy, check both the ingredients and any warnings about cross-contamination.

  • Assuming an old product listing means it’s still available

    Jumbo describes Bio+ Fair Chocolate Biscuits, 140 g, but marks the product as no longer part of its online range.

    If you’ve seen a product before, check that its current packaging and availability still match what you’re looking for.

Brands to consider

Verkade

At Albert Heijn, specific Verkade chocolate biscuits have a Fairtrade statement for their cocoa or chocolate, including Chocorondjes, Choco s'mores and Lange Nekken.

  • For these named varieties, you can check the Fairtrade statement against the individual product.
  • Don’t assume the same statement applies to every Verkade biscuit: ingredients, allergens, portions and nutritional information vary by variety.

Bio+

For Bio+ Fair Chocolate Biscuits, 140 g, Jumbo states that the dark chocolate and cane sugar are traded in accordance with Fairtrade terms.

  • The product description links the Fairtrade terms to specific ingredients.
  • Jumbo marks this product as no longer part of its online range, so don’t treat the listing as a current online buying option.

Way To Go (Lidl)

Lidl describes the chocolate in Way To Go products as Fairtrade-certified. The products mentioned are chocolate bars, not chocolate biscuits.

  • For the bars mentioned, Lidl also describes an additional premium on top of the Fairtrade minimum price and premium.
  • Don’t use this information as evidence of the Fairtrade status of a Lidl chocolate biscuit.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is every chocolate biscuit from a brand with Fairtrade products also Fairtrade?

No. Check the exact flavour and pack for an explicit Fairtrade statement about the cocoa or chocolate. A statement for one biscuit doesn’t tell you anything about the brand’s other varieties.

Do I still need to check for allergens in chocolate biscuits made with Fairtrade cocoa?

Yes. Fairtrade cocoa doesn’t tell you which allergens are in the biscuit. Before you buy, read the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack, including any warnings about possible traces if these are relevant to you.

What does Fairtrade say about the nutritional value of a chocolate biscuit?

A Fairtrade statement about cocoa doesn’t determine the biscuit’s nutritional value. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion for the varieties you’re considering. The Nutrition Centre also recommends checking the back of the pack.