Buyers looking for a treat
Looking for a biscuit for a gift or a coffee break, with a carefully chosen filling, type of chocolate and presentation.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Buyers who look for a certification mark
Want to check the Fairtrade claim on the exact item, rather than relying on a general statement about a brand’s or retailer’s cocoa.
Buyers who check ingredients
Need to read the ingredients, allergens and warnings about possible traces on the current packaging before buying.
What should you look for when buying?
Start with the Fairtrade information for the exact item, then decide which product type is right for your shelf. Check the packaging and availability before ordering.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade claim | Read the Fairtrade information for the exact item and check whether it applies to the cocoa or the finished product. | If the sourcing claim is what matters most, I don’t want to rely on a brand’s general policy. Around 36% of consumers would prioritise a verifiable Fairtrade claim. |
| Product format | Compare biscuits with cream filling, chocolate-coated biscuits, and chocolate filled with biscuit as different product types. | For a treat, I’m looking for a particular balance of biscuit, filling and chocolate. For around 29% of consumers, the product format would determine their first choice. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients list and any warnings about possible traces on the packaging. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, the label takes priority over my preference for a certification mark or chocolate style. This would be the main consideration for around 21% of consumers. |
| Packaging and availability | Check the pack size, product format and current availability before planning shelf space. | If I’m stocking the shelf, I need an item in suitable packaging that I can actually order. For around 14% of consumers, this would be their first consideration. |
Common mistakes when choosing
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Confusing a general cocoa claim with a Fairtrade claim for a product
Albert Heijn, Lidl Nederland and ALDI Nederland list certification schemes for their own-brand cocoa that are not exclusively Fairtrade. So, a statement like this doesn’t tell you which certification mark appears on an individual biscuit.
Check the Fairtrade information on the current packaging or product page for the exact item, and read what the claim applies to.
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Presenting chocolate filled with biscuit as a chocolate biscuit
Albert Heijn describes Galler Puur koekjes as dark chocolate filled with biscuit. This is a different product format from an individual biscuit with a chocolate coating.
Describe and display filled chocolate and chocolate biscuits as separate product types.
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Relying on the product name alone when checking allergens
Albert Heijn’s product information for Verkade Chocorondjes and Lange Nekken lists different ingredients and possible traces. The name or image is no substitute for this information.
Check the current packaging with every delivery, including the ingredients list and warnings about possible traces.
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Using a product page as proof of current availability
A product description may still be useful for identifying the product format, even if the item is no longer available to order.
Check current stock and packaging before ordering an item or reserving shelf space for it.
Relevant brands to consider
Verkade
Chocorondjes and Lange Nekken are different chocolate biscuit formats. Albert Heijn’s product information describes them as containing Fairtrade cocoa.
- The product descriptions distinguish between a filled biscuit and biscuit sticks with a chocolate coating.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and Fairtrade information separately for each item.
Galler
Galler states that its cocoa is 100% Fairtrade. Albert Heijn describes Galler Puur koekjes as dark chocolate filled with biscuit, with a minimum of 60% cocoa.
- The biscuit filling offers a distinctly different format for anyone looking to offer chocolate as the main feature.
- This is not an individual chocolate biscuit; check the Fairtrade information and availability for the exact item.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn states that the cocoa in its own-brand products is Fairtrade or Rainforest Alliance certified.
- The own-brand information is a useful starting point for checking individual products.
- This general statement doesn’t confirm that every own-brand chocolate biscuit is Fairtrade; check each item individually.
Product examples and cocoa claims
This considered order takes account of the Fairtrade information, how closely each item fits the chocolate biscuit category and its product format; it is not an independent taste ranking. A brand’s Fairtrade statement does not automatically confirm the claim for every individual item.
| Position | Product | Features | Notes | Retailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Verkade Chocorondjes milk chocolate 150 g | Biscuit with 25% milk cream filling and 17% milk chocolate. | Albert Heijn describes a filled biscuit with a Fairtrade cocoa claim. The filling sets this item apart from a biscuit with just a chocolate coating. | Albert Heijn |
| 2 | Verkade Nizza coconut milk chocolate with sugar coating 177 g | Coconut biscuit with milk chocolate and a sugar coating. | The Joybuy product description mentions Fairtrade chocolate. Check the current packaging and availability before choosing this item for your shelf. | Joybuy |
| 3 | Galler Puur biscuits 65 g | Dark chocolate filled with biscuit; at least 60% cocoa. | Albert Heijn describes a filled chocolate bar, not an individual biscuit. Galler states that its cocoa is 100% Fairtrade; check the claim for the exact item. | Albert Heijn |
Related products on Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
How can I check the Fairtrade claim for a chocolate biscuit?
Read the current packaging or product information for the exact item. Check whether it mentions the FAIRTRADE mark or Fairtrade cocoa, and what the claim applies to. According to Fairtrade International, cocoa may be sourced using mass balance under certain conditions.
Does a Fairtrade logo mean that all the ingredients are Fairtrade?
Not necessarily. Fairtrade distinguishes between claims for composite products and claims for individual ingredients. According to Milieu Centraal, a Fairtrade logo on a white background indicates a certified ingredient, not the whole product. So, read the explanation on the packaging.
Which allergens should I check in chocolate biscuits?
Check the current ingredients list and any warnings about traces. Albert Heijn’s product information for Verkade Chocorondjes and Lange Nekken mentions milk and cereals containing gluten, among other things. Other ingredients and warnings vary by item.
How should I store chocolate biscuits after opening?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging of the item you choose. The Verkade products described here should be stored in a cool, dry place, with the packaging properly sealed after opening.
What should I do if the online ingredients information differs from the packaging?
Use the current packaging to make your final check of the ingredients and allergens. Albert Heijn notes that online product information may differ if a product has changed.