Choose a chocolate biscuit to enjoy with coffee on the go only if the packaging or current product page for that specific variety explicitly states which cocoa or ingredients are Fairtrade. Then check that the size suits your journey, and assess the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information separately: a Fairtrade cocoa claim tells you nothing about these.
You want to know whether the Fairtrade claim applies to the chocolate biscuit itself. So check the packaging or current product page for the exact variety you’re buying, rather than relying on a general message from the brand or retailer.
You’re looking for a pack that fits in your bag or coat pocket, with a portion that’s easy to take along with your coffee. The total weight and stated number of portions can help you decide.
Alongside the Fairtrade claim, you want to check the current ingredients, allergens and any cross-contamination warnings. Nutritional values per 100 g and the portion size may also be relevant to your choice.
Start by checking the Fairtrade claim for the specific biscuit. Then compare how easy it is to carry and read the allergen and nutritional information. None of these checks replaces the others.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade cocoa | Check whether the current packaging or product page explicitly links Fairtrade to the cocoa or other named ingredients in this variety. | I want to know exactly what the Fairtrade claim on my biscuit applies to before taking it along with my coffee. An estimated 45% of consumers put this product-specific check first. |
| Size and portions | Compare the total weight and number of portions. Also check whether the pack can be resealed after opening and what storage instructions apply. | If I have limited space in my bag, I don’t want to travel with a large, opened pack. An estimated 33% of consumers make a compact biscuit with clear portion sizes their top priority. |
| Allergens and nutritional information | Read the current ingredients list and any cross-contamination warnings. Compare relevant nutritional values on the same basis, such as per 100 g and per portion. | I need to be able to assess whether the ingredients suit my needs, even if the cocoa is Fairtrade. An estimated 22% of consumers put this information first. |
A message about a brand or retailer doesn’t tell you whether the cocoa in the chocolate biscuit you’ve chosen is Fairtrade. Fairtrade International sets out its cocoa standard for the production, purchase and sale of cocoa and processed cocoa. Check which ingredients the product’s claim refers to.
Look for the Fairtrade claim on the current packaging or product page for the exact variety.
A Fairtrade cocoa claim tells you nothing about the amount of sugar or fat, and it doesn’t remove the need to check for allergens. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes the mandatory labelling of 14 allergens.
Read the current ingredients list and any cross-contamination warnings. Check the nutritional values separately, per 100 g and for the portion you plan to have.
A range or product page you viewed previously may not reflect current availability. And a similar-looking biscuit won’t necessarily have the same Fairtrade claim or ingredients.
Check current availability just before you buy. If you choose an alternative, check its packaging and product information again.
Albert Heijn’s product page mentions Fairtrade cocoa in Verkade Choco s'mores melkchocolade marshmallow. This claim applies to this variety, not automatically to other Verkade biscuits.
Albert Heijn states that the cocoa used in Galler Puur koekjes is 100% Fairtrade-certified.
Jumbo’s listing for Bio+ Fair Chocolade Koekjes, 140 g, mentions organic certification and states that the dark chocolate and cane sugar were traded under Fairtrade terms.
Check the current packaging or product page for the exact variety, and see whether Fairtrade is explicitly stated in connection with the cocoa or other named ingredients. Fairtrade International sets out its cocoa standard for cocoa and processed cocoa; a general message about a brand doesn’t prove that every biscuit or ingredient is covered.
No. A Fairtrade cocoa claim doesn’t tell you about allergens or nutritional value. Check the current ingredients and warnings on the packaging, and assess the nutritional information separately.
Read the current ingredients list and any cross-contamination warnings for the specific biscuit. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes mandatory labelling for 14 allergens; ingredients and warnings can vary by variety.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging for the product you’ve chosen. The product information consulted for the Verkade varieties mentioned recommends storing them in a cool, dry place. Before setting off, also check whether an opened pack can be closed securely.
