Who is this choice relevant to?

The conscious Sinterklaas shopper

You’re looking for a treat for the parade and want to be able to check whether the cocoa or chocolate in your chosen biscuit meets Fairtrade standards.

The parent or chaperone handing out biscuits

You want to take biscuits with you and hand them out, but you need to check the ingredients, allergen information and any warnings about possible cross-contamination beforehand.

The shopper who prefers organic products

You’re looking for a chocolate biscuit that combines organic ingredients with Fairtrade standards for the relevant ingredients, and you’ll check whether your chosen variant is available.

What should you look for when buying?

First, check the Fairtrade claim for the exact variant. Then choose a pack that suits how you’ll be handing out the biscuits, and read the label before buying if ingredients or allergens matter to you.

What to look for What to check when buying Who it matters to
Fairtrade claim Look on the packaging or product page for the exact variant to find a Fairtrade claim covering the cocoa, chocolate or relevant ingredients. If Fairtrade is the deciding factor for me, I want to know exactly what the claim applies to in this biscuit. Around 42% of consumers put a product-specific Fairtrade claim first.
Sharing and taking along Check the number of biscuits, portion size and whether they’re wrapped together or individually. When I’m out and about, I want to be able to take biscuits with me and hand them out in suitable portions. For around 33% of consumers, this practical convenience is the top priority.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current ingredients list, allergen information and any warning about possible cross-contamination on the packaging. Before handing anything out, I need to be able to check what it contains for the people who’ll be eating it. That’s why ingredients and allergens come first for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming Fairtrade, organic and Rainforest Alliance mean the same thing

    These claims don’t mean the same thing. Lotus Bakeries mentions Rainforest Alliance for chocolate in certain chocolate products; this doesn’t confirm a Fairtrade claim for a Biscoff biscuit.

    Decide which certification you’re looking for, then check the claim on the exact variant you want to buy.

  • Relying on the product page alone for allergen information

    Albert Heijn advises customers to read the packaging because product information can change. A Fairtrade claim tells you nothing about the allergens in the biscuit.

    Before buying or handing out the biscuits, check the ingredients, allergen information and any warning about possible cross-contamination on the current packaging.

  • Assuming a biscuit you found earlier is still available

    The Jumbo page for BIO+ Fair Chocolade Koekjes states that the product is no longer in its online range. So a product description doesn’t confirm that it’s currently available.

    Check with your retailer whether the variant you want is available, and review the product details again.

Brands to compare

A brand name alone doesn’t confirm a Fairtrade claim for every biscuit; compare the information for the variant you’ve chosen.

Verkade

Worth considering if you’re looking for a chocolate biscuit with a product-specific Fairtrade claim.

  • Albert Heijn describes Verkade Lange Nekken melkchocolade as biscuit sticks made with Verkade Fairtrade milk chocolate.
  • Verkade says the brand uses Fairtrade-certified cocoa for chocolate coatings on biscuits. Check the packaging of your chosen variant; this brand statement doesn’t automatically apply to every Verkade biscuit.

BIO+

Worth considering if you also look for organic ingredients in a chocolate biscuit.

  • Jumbo states that BIO+ Fair Chocolade Koekjes contains organic ingredients, and that the dark chocolate and cane sugar meet Fairtrade standards.
  • The Jumbo page states that this product is no longer in its online range. Check current availability before counting on it.

Lotus Biscoff

Worth considering if you specifically want the caramelised Biscoff flavour, but not as confirmation of a Fairtrade chocolate biscuit.

  • Lotus Bakeries describes Biscoff as a caramelised biscuit.
  • Lotus Bakeries mentions Rainforest Alliance for chocolate in certain Biscoff chocolate bars. This isn’t a Fairtrade claim for the standard Biscoff biscuit.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

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

For the exact variant, check whether the packaging or product page mentions Fairtrade cocoa, Fairtrade chocolate or Fairtrade standards for the relevant ingredients. A general sustainability statement from the brand isn’t enough.

Are individually wrapped portions handy for the Sinterklaas parade?

They can be if you’re taking biscuits with you and want to hand them out on the way. Albert Heijn describes Verkade Lange Nekken melkchocolade as individually wrapped in pairs; check whether that portion size suits when you’ll be handing them out.

Should I still read the label if I’ve checked the product page?

Yes. Check the current packaging before buying or handing out the biscuits. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are listed on labels, and Albert Heijn warns that product information can change.