Who is this relevant to?

Parents who want to check the Fairtrade label

You’re looking for a biscuit whose chosen variety explicitly mentions Fairtrade cocoa, Fairtrade chocolate or specific Fairtrade ingredients, rather than just making a general sustainability claim.

Parents who need to consider allergens

You need to compare the ingredients and warnings about possible cross-contamination with the allergens relevant to your child and your school’s or class’s rules. There may be more to consider than gluten alone.

Parents who want to pack a small treat

You’re looking for a biscuit to add to lunch without letting it displace the usual meal. For primary school lunches, the Voedingscentrum highlights vegetables and fruit, among other things.

What should you look for?

Start by checking the Fairtrade claim for the exact variety and its current allergen label. Then see whether the portion fits with the rest of the lunch.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Fairtrade claim Check the packaging or product page for the exact variety to see whether the cocoa, chocolate or specifically named ingredients are covered by Fairtrade terms. I want to be able to see exactly what the Fairtrade claim on this biscuit applies to. Around 40% of consumers put this kind of verifiable claim first.
Allergens and school rules Read the current label, including warnings about possible cross-contamination, and check your school’s or class’s rules. If an allergen or class rule is a deciding factor, I need to know whether this biscuit is suitable before packing it. This is the top priority for an estimated 40% of consumers.
Portion and lunch Check the portion size and nutritional information per portion or per 100 g, alongside the rest of the lunchbox contents. I want to pack a small treat without letting it replace the rest of lunch. This is the first consideration for around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking a sustainability claim for a Fairtrade claim

    A policy on certified cocoa doesn’t automatically tell you anything about the biscuit you’ve chosen. A Fairtrade claim may also apply only to specific ingredients.

    Check the exact variety and see which ingredients are identified as Fairtrade on the packaging or product page.

  • Checking for gluten only

    Other allergens and warnings about possible cross-contamination may also be relevant for the chocolate biscuits mentioned. Which ones matter depends on the child and the school’s rules.

    Before packing the biscuit, compare all the information on the current packaging with the relevant allergens and school rules.

  • Confusing Fairtrade with a complete lunch

    A Fairtrade claim concerns the named ingredients and the terms on which they are traded, not the biscuit’s nutritional role. For school lunches, the Voedingscentrum highlights vegetables and fruit, among other things.

    Put lunch together first, then decide whether you want to add a small portion of biscuits.

Brands to consider

Verkade

Product pages from Jumbo and Albert Heijn mention Fairtrade cocoa or Fairtrade chocolate for Nizza Coconut Milk Chocolate, Chocorondjes Milk Chocolate and Choco s’mores.

  • The Fairtrade claim is linked to specific biscuit varieties.
  • The varieties mentioned contain gluten-containing cereals and milk. Check each pack for other allergens and any warnings too.

Bio+

According to Jumbo’s product information, Bio+ Fair Chocolate Biscuits list dark chocolate and cane sugar separately as ingredients traded under Fairtrade terms.

  • The description makes it clear which ingredients the Fairtrade claim applies to.
  • The biscuit contains milk and wheat. Check the current label and whether this variety is available.

Lidl eigen merk / Favorina

Lidl Netherlands describes its own-brand cocoa as coming from certified sustainable farming, including Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance and organic sources. This policy can help guide your search, but it doesn’t determine the claim made for an individual biscuit.

  • The cocoa policy gives you a starting point for looking more closely at product information.
  • Check the packaging of the biscuit you’ve chosen to see whether it actually mentions Fairtrade.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell whether a chocolate biscuit meets my Fairtrade requirement?

Check the packaging or product page for the exact variety for an explicit mention of Fairtrade cocoa, Fairtrade chocolate or specific Fairtrade ingredients. If the claim applies to individual ingredients, also check which ingredients it covers.

Is checking for gluten alone enough for a school lunchbox?

No. Check all allergens relevant to the child or class. Read all the information on the current packaging, including any warnings about possible cross-contamination, and take the school’s rules into account.

Can a Fairtrade chocolate biscuit be the main part of a school lunch?

No. Treat the biscuit as an optional small addition, not a replacement for lunch. For food eaten at primary school, the Voedingscentrum highlights vegetables and fruit, among other things; check the portion size and your school’s rules too.