If Fairtrade cocoa is a requirement for your office supplies, choose chocolate biscuits with an explicit Fairtrade statement for the specific product. A general claim about sustainable cocoa is not the same thing. Then check the allergens on the current packaging, how colleagues will help themselves to the biscuits and whether you can keep the supply properly sealed. Verkade states that it uses Fairtrade-certified cocoa in the chocolate on and in its biscuits, but you should still check each variety from that brand.
For those who prioritise the origin of the cocoa over the choice of biscuit variety. Look for an explicit Fairtrade statement on the packaging or product page for the biscuit you choose, not just a general sustainability claim.
For those keeping biscuits in a tin for people to enjoy on different occasions, who also need to keep product information available for colleagues. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises storing biscuits in a cool, dry, dark place in a properly sealed container.
For those who need to make sure colleagues can check the ingredients and allergens in a shared treat. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes allergen labelling; the allergens present and any ‘may contain’ warnings vary from one biscuit to another.
Start by checking for a Fairtrade statement on the specific chocolate biscuit. Then decide how to keep allergen information available with a shared supply, and choose a pack size that suits how the biscuit tin will be used.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade cocoa | Look for an explicit Fairtrade statement about the cocoa or chocolate on the packaging or product page for your chosen biscuit. Check exactly which certification or requirement is mentioned. | If Fairtrade cocoa is a requirement for the office supply, I want to be able to find that statement on the biscuit I choose. This is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Allergen information | Read the current ingredients list and allergen information, including any warnings about possible traces. Decide how to keep this information available when biscuits are served loose. | With a shared biscuit tin, I want colleagues to be able to check the allergens even after the outer packaging has been opened. This is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Pack size and storage | Compare multipacks with individually wrapped portions, and choose a pack size that suits how the biscuits will be used at work. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises storing biscuits in a cool, dry, dark place in a properly sealed container. | If the tin won’t be emptied quickly, I want to stop opened biscuits from going soft or stale. Suitable stock management matters most to around 21% of consumers. |
| Availability | Just before replenishing your supply, check that the specific variety you want is available and that its current packaging still carries the Fairtrade statement. | When I need to refill the tin soon, I want to be able to choose an available product without compromising on the Fairtrade requirement. Practical availability is the top priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Lidl lists Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance and organic certification as separate routes for its own-brand cocoa. Lotus Bakeries states that the Biscoff chocolate products reviewed are Rainforest Alliance Certified. Neither statement on its own proves that a particular biscuit contains Fairtrade cocoa.
If Fairtrade is a purchasing requirement, look for an explicit statement on the exact product you choose.
Colleagues will no longer be able to check the ingredients, allergens present or any ‘may contain’ warnings on the label. The information varies between the Verkade varieties listed by Albert Heijn.
Keep the current packaging with the supply, or make sure a clear copy of the product information remains available.
Biscuits left open for longer can lose their quality. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that they may go soft or stale, for example.
Choose a pack size that suits how quickly the supply is used, close the tin after use and store the biscuits in a cool, dry, dark place.
A suitable Fairtrade ingredient claim says nothing about current availability. Jumbo states that Bio+ Fair Chocolade Koekjes is no longer part of its online range.
Check availability just before buying, and read the packaging of your chosen product again when it arrives.
A place to start if you’re looking for everyday chocolate biscuits with an explicit Fairtrade cocoa statement.
A product range to explore if both organic ingredients and Fairtrade requirements for specific ingredients matter to you.
A shop where you can compare product information for individual chocolate biscuits.
A shop where you should check the ingredient claims and availability of each variety separately.
A shop where the general cocoa policy isn’t enough to prove that an individual biscuit is Fairtrade.
A shop with a separate Fairtrade range and chocolate biscuits whose claims need to be checked product by product.
An alternative to consider only if Fairtrade isn’t a strict requirement.
No. Lidl Netherlands lists different certification routes for its own-brand cocoa, including Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance; Lotus Bakeries states that the Biscoff chocolate products described are Rainforest Alliance Certified. If Fairtrade is a requirement, check for an explicit Fairtrade statement on the specific biscuit.
Keep the current ingredients and allergen information for the biscuits available, for example by storing the packaging with the supply. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes allergen labelling on prepacked foods; also check for any ‘may contain’ warnings for each variety you choose.
Store them in a cool, dry, dark place in a properly sealed container, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises for biscuits. Choose a pack size for the tin that suits how quickly your colleagues use the supply.
Check availability and the product listing again before ordering. For example, Jumbo lists Fairtrade terms for the dark chocolate and cane sugar in Bio+ Fair Chocolade Koekjes, but also says the item is no longer part of its online range.
