Who should bear these points in mind?

Shoppers who want to check the Fairtrade cocoa

You want to know whether the Fairtrade claim on the specific biscuit relates to the cocoa, and what the packaging says about the other ingredients.

Shoppers looking for something to pack in their sports bag

You’re looking for a sealed pack that’s easy to take with you, and want to weigh up the contents and portion size against the ingredients and nutritional information.

Shoppers who need to check for allergens

You read the current ingredients list and any warnings about cross-contamination before choosing a chocolate biscuit, even if you’ve bought the product before.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, check what the Fairtrade claim on the specific biscuit applies to. Then see whether the packaging suits what you want to take with you, and compare the nutritional information for the portion you plan to eat.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this important for?
Fairtrade cocoa Look for the claim on the specific product. According to Fairtrade International, an arrow next to the FAIRTRADE mark points to information on the back about the ingredients and sourcing method. If Fairtrade cocoa is a deciding factor for me, I want to know exactly what the claim covers. This check comes first for around 42% of consumers.
Taking it with you and portioning Check the net weight, the number of portions and whether the pack is sealed and undamaged so you can take it with you. I want to take a treat with me without putting an open pack in my sports bag. For around 33% of consumers, this practical size matters most.
Nutritional value around exercise Compare the nutritional information, including sugars and saturated fat per 100 g and, where stated, per portion. If I want something to eat around exercise, I want to know how the biscuit fits in with what else I eat that day. This is the top priority for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Thinking of Fairtrade as a nutritional claim

    A Fairtrade claim relates to how the ingredients in question are sourced. It doesn’t tell you how much sugar or saturated fat the biscuit contains, or how it fits into your diet around exercise.

    Use the claim to guide your Fairtrade choice, and check the nutritional information separately. If you’re looking for something other than a treat, compare other types of snacks too.

  • Assuming the mark covers every ingredient

    For a product made with several ingredients, the FAIRTRADE mark with an arrow may point to additional information on the packaging. A claim that the cocoa is Fairtrade doesn’t automatically apply to every ingredient in the biscuit.

    Read the information accompanying the mark and check which ingredients are listed on the current pack.

  • Skipping allergen warnings

    Chocolate biscuits may contain ingredients such as wheat, milk, soya or nuts. The relevant allergens and cross-contamination warnings vary by product.

    Check the current ingredients list and warnings before buying, even if it’s a biscuit you already know.

  • Assuming the range is always the same

    A brand or range page doesn’t tell you which Fairtrade chocolate biscuits will be available to take with you when you shop.

    Check availability and the Fairtrade claim on the specific product before assuming it will fit your shopping plans.

Brands and retailers to explore

Verkade

A brand to explore if you’re looking for a chocolate biscuit with an explicit Fairtrade cocoa claim.

  • Albert Heijn lists Fairtrade cocoa for Verkade Choco s'mores and Fairtrade milk chocolate for Verkade Chocorondjes karamel.
  • The ingredients and allergens vary between these products, so check the label of the variety you choose.

Galler

A brand to explore if you’re looking for dark chocolate with a biscuit filling and an explicit Fairtrade cocoa claim.

  • Albert Heijn’s product information for Galler Puur koekjes states that they contain 100% Fairtrade cocoa and 60% cocoa.
  • The product page consulted stated that this item was no longer in the range. Check current availability and the allergens on any packaging.

ALDI

A retailer to explore for Fairtrade chocolate products if you’re not limiting your choice to chocolate biscuits.

  • ALDI Netherlands describes Fairtrade chocolate as part of its Fairtrade range.
  • Being listed in that range doesn’t confirm that a specific biscuit contains Fairtrade cocoa. Check the product label.

Related products at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are all the ingredients Fairtrade if it says so on a chocolate biscuit?

Not necessarily. According to Fairtrade International, an arrow next to the FAIRTRADE mark indicates that you can find more information on the back about the ingredients concerned and the sourcing method. Check this information on the specific biscuit.

Is a Fairtrade chocolate biscuit automatically a suitable sports snack?

No. The Fairtrade claim says nothing about the biscuit’s nutritional value. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that snacks can contain a lot of sugar or saturated fat, so check the nutritional information and consider the biscuit alongside what else you eat.

Which allergens should I check in chocolate biscuits?

Check the allergens on the current label of the product you choose. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens specified by law must be listed on labels. The ingredients and possible cross-contamination warnings for the biscuits mentioned here vary by variety.

How should I take chocolate biscuits in a sports bag?

Take them in a sealed, undamaged pack and read the storage advice on the packaging. Also check how many portions the pack contains if you don’t want to take or eat the whole pack.