Hosts looking for Fairtrade cocoa
Want to see what the Fairtrade cocoa claim applies to on the label of the chocolate biscuit they choose, rather than relying on a general sustainability message.
Who is this choice important for?
Hosts whose guests have allergies or dietary requirements
Need to compare the ingredients and allergen warnings on the packaging with what their guests can eat before serving the biscuits.
Organisers of a Halloween treat to share
Want to know how many biscuits or portions are in a pack, as well as whether the product is practical to serve on a platter, alongside the cocoa claim.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, check the Fairtrade claim for the specific biscuit and make sure it’s suitable for your guests. Then compare the pack size and portions for your party table.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade cocoa | Look on the label for an explicit Fairtrade cocoa statement or a claim covering the relevant ingredients. | If Fairtrade cocoa is a must for me, I want to check the claim on the biscuit itself; around 40% of consumers make this their top priority. |
| Allergens and dietary requirements | Read the ingredients, listed allergens and any warnings about possible cross-contamination on the current packaging. | If guests need to avoid certain ingredients, I don’t want to serve anything before checking the label; this is also the top priority for around 40% of consumers. |
| Portions and presentation | Compare the net weight and stated number of portions with how much you want to serve. | For a platter to share among several guests, I want to know how much is in the pack; around 20% of consumers give this practical consideration priority. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking a general sustainability claim for a Fairtrade claim on the biscuit
A brand or retailer’s cocoa policy doesn’t automatically tell you what claim appears on an individual chocolate biscuit.
Check the claim on the packaging of the variety you’ve chosen, such as whether it explicitly mentions Fairtrade cocoa.
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Stopping at ‘gluten-free’ without checking the other allergens
A gluten-free biscuit can contain other ingredients that matter to your guests. For example, the product information for Verkade GV Oaties lists milk, oats and soya.
Check the full label, including warnings about possible cross-contamination, against your guests’ needs.
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Treating online product information as a definitive label
Ingredients and allergen information can change. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains which allergens must be listed on the labels of prepacked foods.
Use the product page to compare options, but check the packaging again before serving the biscuits.
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Planning around a product without checking availability
A product page doesn’t guarantee that the biscuit is still available to order. Jumbo says that Bio+ Fair Chocolade Koekjes is no longer part of its online range.
Check availability before planning your treats and, if necessary, have another option with a verified cocoa claim ready as a back-up.
An unexpected replacement could mean extra searching or a trip to the shops just before the party.
Brands and retailers to help you compare
These names can help you compare product information; claims and allergens still depend on the specific biscuit.
Verkade
Verkade says that the cocoa in its products is Fairtrade. Albert Heijn also lists Fairtrade cocoa for Verkade Chocorondjes and Choco S’mores.
- A product-specific cocoa claim is available for these two biscuits.
- Ingredients and allergens vary by variety, so check the packaging of the one you’re buying.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s product pages mention Fairtrade cocoa for specific Verkade biscuits.
- The information for Chocorondjes and Choco S’mores makes it possible to compare specific products.
- Albert Heijn says its own-brand cocoa is both Rainforest Alliance and Fairtrade; this doesn’t confirm a Fairtrade claim for every own-brand biscuit.
Jumbo
Jumbo says that the dark chocolate and cane sugar in Bio+ Fair Chocolade Koekjes were traded according to Fairtrade conditions.
- The claim names the relevant ingredients in this specific product.
- Jumbo also says that this biscuit is no longer part of its online range; the claim doesn’t apply to other chocolate biscuits.
Lotus Biscoff
Lotus Biscoff with chocolate is a speculoos biscuit with chocolate that you can compare with other treats for taste and texture.
- Lotus Bakeries lists a chocolate content of 22% for this product.
- The product information provided doesn’t include a Fairtrade cocoa claim, so don’t treat it as a confirmed Fairtrade option.
Related products at Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is the cocoa in a chocolate biscuit automatically Fairtrade?
No. The word ‘chocolate’ in the ingredients list doesn’t, by itself, confirm a Fairtrade cocoa claim. Look for an explicit statement for the specific biscuit; Albert Heijn, for example, lists one for Verkade Chocorondjes and Choco S’mores.
Which allergens should I check before serving the biscuits?
Check the allergens for your chosen variety on the packaging, including any warnings about possible cross-contamination. Depending on the products mentioned, milk, wheat, soya, egg or nuts may be relevant; don’t assume that the information for another biscuit from the same brand applies.
Is a biscuit made with gluten-free oats suitable for everyone?
Not necessarily. Joybuy’s product information for Verkade GV Oaties lists gluten-free oats and notes that a small number of people with coeliac disease may be sensitive to oat protein. Check the label and discuss the choice with the guest concerned.
Can I plan to use a biscuit I’ve found online for my party?
First check whether the specific product is still available. Jumbo says that Bio+ Fair Chocolade Koekjes is no longer part of its online range, so a product listing alone doesn’t confirm that it can be ordered.