Who is this relevant to?

Shoppers who put Fairtrade first

You want to buy chocolate biscuits for the autumn half-term, but a general sustainability claim isn’t enough for you. You check whether Fairtrade is stated for the specific product and the ingredient in question.

Families taking snacks out and about

For a day out, you want to be able to portion out the biscuits in advance. Albert Heijn describes Verkade Lange Nekken as individually wrapped in pairs and suitable for taking with you.

Shoppers choosing for a group

If not everyone can eat the same ingredients, check the allergens and any cross-contamination warnings on each pack before handing out the biscuits.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the Fairtrade information for the specific chocolate biscuit. Then decide whether the ingredients, nutritional information and packaging suit the people you’re buying for and the occasion.

What to look for What to check when buying Who this matters most to
Fairtrade status Look for the Fairtrade claim on the packaging or current product page, and check whether it applies to the cocoa, the chocolate or the whole product. According to Milieu Centraal, a Fairtrade logo on a white background may apply only to a certified ingredient. I want to be able to see whether the cocoa or chocolate in my biscuit is Fairtrade certified. For around 39% of consumers, being able to check this status is the top priority.
Allergens Read the ingredients, highlighted allergens and any cross-contamination warnings on the current packaging. If I’m buying for someone with an allergy, the information on the packaging needs to suit that person. Around 23% of consumers prioritise this check.
Portion size and nutritional information Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion, including energy, sugars and saturated fat. Consider how many biscuits you actually want to hand out. For a treat, I want to decide in advance how many biscuits everyone will get, rather than automatically treating a whole pack as one portion. Portion size and nutritional information matter most to around 23% of consumers.
Easy to take with you Check the number of biscuits and how they’re packaged: can you portion them out in advance, or will you need to take an opened pack with you? For a holiday outing, I want snacks that are easy to share and take along. Around 15% of consumers put convenience on the go first.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a sustainability policy means every biscuit has a Fairtrade claim

    Albert Heijn and Lidl list several certification options for their own-brand cocoa. Their general policies therefore don’t tell you which claim appears on an individual chocolate biscuit.

    Check the packaging or current product information for the variety you want to buy, including which ingredient the Fairtrade claim applies to.

  • Assuming a pack of individually portioned biscuits is the right portion for you

    Packaging that’s convenient to take with you doesn’t determine how many biscuits you’ll want to serve at one sitting.

    Check how many biscuits are in the pack and compare the nutritional information per portion with what you actually plan to serve.

  • Overlooking allergens in a small biscuit

    Ingredients and cross-contamination warnings can matter just as much for chocolate biscuits. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights the importance of allergen information for people with allergies.

    Read the physical packaging before handing out the biscuits, especially if someone needs to avoid certain allergens.

  • Treating a product page as a guarantee about your order

    A product listing can help you identify a variety, but you place your order based on the information available at that time.

    Check availability and delivery options when you order. For ingredients and allergens, also check the packaging of the product you receive.

Brands and retailers to explore

A brand or retailer’s policy is a useful starting point, but it doesn’t confirm that every chocolate biscuit is Fairtrade. Always check the variety you’ve chosen.

Verkade

Albert Heijn lists Fairtrade milk chocolate for Verkade Chocorondjes. It describes Verkade Lange Nekken as wrapped in pairs.

  • The Chocorondjes product listing specifically mentions Fairtrade milk chocolate.
  • Check the current Fairtrade claim, ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for each variety.

Albert Heijn

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

  • Its own-brand policy lists the possible certifications for cocoa.
  • The policy doesn’t tell you which certification applies to a specific chocolate biscuit.

Jumbo

Jumbo has separate listings for Fairtrade products and chocolate biscuits.

  • These listings offer a starting point for finding a specific product.
  • Being listed in the chocolate biscuit range doesn’t in itself confirm Fairtrade status.

Lidl

Lidl Netherlands lists Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance and organic certification as options for its own-brand cocoa.

  • Its sourcing policy makes clear which certification routes Lidl lists.
  • If Fairtrade is a requirement for you, check which certification applies to the chocolate biscuit itself.

ALDI

ALDI Netherlands lists Fairtrade chocolate in its Fairtrade range and also sells chocolate biscuits.

  • Its Fairtrade information can help you find products with a specific certification claim.
  • A general range page doesn’t confirm the Fairtrade status of an individual chocolate biscuit.

Lotus

Lotus Bakeries lists Rainforest Alliance certification for certain cocoa ingredients in the product ranges it identifies.

  • The brand’s information helps distinguish a stated cocoa certification from a Fairtrade claim.
  • Rainforest Alliance certification doesn’t confirm that a Lotus chocolate biscuit is Fairtrade; check the exact product.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is a sustainable cocoa claim the same as a Fairtrade chocolate biscuit?

No. Albert Heijn and Lidl list more than one certification option for their own-brand cocoa. So check whether Fairtrade is stated for the specific chocolate biscuit and which ingredient the claim applies to.

What does a Fairtrade logo on a white background mean?

According to Milieu Centraal, the logo applies to a Fairtrade-certified ingredient, not the whole product. Read the accompanying information to see which ingredient it refers to.

What should I check if someone sharing the biscuits has an allergy?

Check the ingredients and allergens on the physical packaging of the chocolate biscuit you’ve chosen, including any cross-contamination warnings. Don’t rely on the packaging of another variety or on a product image alone.

How do I decide on a portion of chocolate biscuits for a day out?

Check how many biscuits are in a pack and how many you want to hand out. Then compare the nutritional information per portion and per 100 g. A pack designed for taking on the go doesn’t have to match the occasion you have in mind.