Who is this relevant to?

Shoppers who want to check each product’s Fairtrade status

You want to be able to see on the pack you choose whether the cocoa or chocolate is sourced under Fairtrade terms, rather than relying only on a general statement from a brand or retailer.

Households that need to check allergens

You check the ingredients and allergen warnings on the current pack before choosing a chocolate biscuit. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens must be clearly stated on the label.

Shoppers looking for an available alternative

You want to know whether a particular chocolate biscuit is still in stock before adding it to your shopping list.

What should you look for in Fairtrade chocolate biscuits?

First, check the Fairtrade claim on the individual product and the ingredients on the current pack. Then compare the type of biscuit and its availability with what you’re looking for.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Fairtrade claim Look for a Fairtrade claim covering the cocoa or chocolate on the specific pack or product page. If Fairtrade is the deciding factor, I want to be able to find the claim on the biscuit itself. For around 39% of consumers, checking the individual product comes first.
Ingredients and allergens Check the ingredients, listed allergens and any warnings about possible traces on the current pack. If someone in my household needs to avoid certain ingredients, I check this before looking at the Fairtrade claim. This is the first concern for around 23% of consumers.
Type of biscuit Compare the chocolate variety, any filling, the net weight and the information per serving. I might look for a filled biscuit to enjoy with a coffee, while at another time I might prefer a butter biscuit with dark chocolate. Around 23% of consumers give these kinds of product differences the most weight.
Availability Check whether your chosen product is available in your shop or in its current online range. I don’t want to plan my shopping around a biscuit I can’t order or find. Availability is the most important consideration for around 15% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking a retailer’s policy for a product claim

    Albert Heijn says its own-brand cocoa is Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade certified; Lidl lists several certification schemes for its own-brand cocoa. This doesn’t mean that every chocolate biscuit sold by these retailers is specifically Fairtrade.

    Check which claim applies to the pack you want to buy.

  • Treating an old product listing as a buying option

    Jumbo says Bio+ Fair Chocolade Koekjes is no longer in its online range. So the product information alone doesn’t mean you can order them there now.

    Check current availability or look for another biscuit with an equally specific Fairtrade claim.

  • Overlooking allergens

    A Fairtrade claim for cocoa says nothing about the ingredients or possible traces of allergens in the biscuit.

    Read the ingredients and allergen warnings on the pack you’re buying.

Brands and retailers to consider

Verkade

Verkade says all the cocoa in its products is Fairtrade. Albert Heijn specifically identifies the cocoa in Verkade Chocorondjes milk chocolate as Fairtrade.

  • Chocorondjes have a specific product claim you can check when buying.
  • Always check the current label on your chosen variety for ingredients and allergens.

Bio+

For Bio+ Fair Chocolade Koekjes, Jumbo states that the dark chocolate and cane sugar are traded under Fairtrade terms.

  • The product page links the Fairtrade claim to specific ingredients.
  • Jumbo says this product is no longer in its online range, so check availability before counting on it.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn says the cocoa in its own-brand products is Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade certified, and gives a separate Fairtrade claim for Verkade Chocorondjes.

  • A product page can help you check the claim for a specific biscuit.
  • The own-brand policy doesn’t prove that every individual chocolate biscuit contains Fairtrade cocoa.

Lidl

Lidl says its own-brand cocoa comes from certified farming, including through Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance or organic certification.

  • The cocoa policy can be a reason to take a closer look at a specific own-brand product.
  • Check which certification scheme is actually stated for each chocolate biscuit.

ALDI

ALDI includes chocolate in its Fairtrade range and also sells chocolate biscuits.

  • The Fairtrade range gives you a starting point for looking for a suitable product claim.
  • A Fairtrade claim for chocolate in the range doesn’t automatically apply to a pack of Biscotto chocolate biscuits.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I check whether the cocoa in a chocolate biscuit is Fairtrade?

Look for a Fairtrade claim covering the cocoa or chocolate on the packaging or product page for the specific biscuit. For example, Albert Heijn states this for Verkade Chocorondjes milk chocolate. Check the current pack when you buy it, too.

Is certified own-brand cocoa always Fairtrade?

No, the certification mentioned can vary from product to product. Albert Heijn lists Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade for its own-brand cocoa, while Lidl also mentions organic certification. So check which claim applies to the biscuit you’ve chosen.

Which allergens should I check in chocolate biscuits?

Check the allergens present and any warnings about possible traces on the current label. For Verkade Chocorondjes, Albert Heijn lists milk and wheat, as well as possible traces of egg, peanuts, nuts and soya, among other things. This information doesn’t automatically apply to other biscuits.

Is the ingredients list on a product page enough?

Use the product page to help you decide, but check the packaging when you buy the product, too. Albert Heijn notes that product information, including ingredients and allergen information, can change.