Who is this choice relevant to?

The label-conscious Fairtrade shopper

You want to know whether the cocoa in this particular chocolate biscuit is covered by a Fairtrade claim. Another certification mark or a retailer’s general cocoa policy isn’t enough for you.

The student planning a snack

You want a biscuit for a planned study session, without snacking continuously. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises eating regularly and drinking enough around exam time; a biscuit isn’t a substitute for those meals.

The convenience-focused shopper

You’re looking for a biscuit that’s easy to take with you or divide into portions. You also check that the Fairtrade claim, ingredients and allergens apply to the product you’ve chosen.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the Fairtrade claim on the specific biscuit. Then compare the nutritional information and choose a pack that suits the snack occasion you have in mind.

What to look for What to check when buying Who it matters to
Fairtrade cocoa Check whether the current packaging carries a Fairtrade claim for the cocoa or chocolate in this biscuit, and exactly what the claim applies to. I want to know whether the cocoa in my biscuit is Fairtrade; a general sustainability claim doesn’t give me that certainty. For around 42% of consumers, this product-specific check matters most.
Nutritional value and portion size Compare sugars, saturated fat and fibre per 100 g, and consider how much you’ll actually have as a portion. While studying, I don’t want to keep eating without realising or skip a regular meal. For roughly 33% of consumers, having a defined snack occasion comes first.
Packaging and convenience Check whether the pack contains individual portions, and read the ingredients and allergen information for the item you’ve chosen before buying. For a journey or a study session, I want a biscuit that’s easy to take along in portions. For around 25% of consumers, that practical convenience is the deciding factor.

Common mistakes

  • Taking Fairtrade cocoa as a sign of nutritional value

    A Fairtrade claim says nothing about the amount of sugars or saturated fat. For example, Albert Heijn lists 32 g of sugars and 12 g of saturated fat per 100 g for Verkade Crunchy oat biscuits with milk chocolate.

    Use the claim to guide your choice of cocoa, and also check the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion.

  • Assuming a cocoa policy applies to every biscuit

    Lidl and ALDI describe several certification routes for cocoa. Lotus Bakeries mentions Rainforest Alliance certification for specific Lotus Biscoff chocolate bars. Neither statement confirms that an individual biscuit contains Fairtrade cocoa.

    Read the exact claim on the packaging of the biscuit you want to buy.

  • Eating continuously from a large pack

    A large pack can make it harder to keep your snack occasion within limits. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises eating regularly and avoiding continuous snacking around exam time.

    Set aside a portion beforehand and stick to your usual meal and drink breaks.

  • Reading only the front of the pack

    The front doesn’t always explain what a sustainability claim applies to or which allergens the product contains. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, the mandatory labelling rules cover 14 allergens.

    Check the current ingredients list, allergen information, nutritional details and wording of the Fairtrade claim.

Relevant brands and retailers

A brand or retailer name alone doesn’t confirm a Fairtrade claim for a biscuit; always check the individual product.

Verkade

Verkade states that the cocoa in the chocolate on and in its biscuits is Fairtrade. Albert Heijn lists this claim for products including Crunchy oat biscuits with milk chocolate and Lange Nekken milk chocolate biscuits.

  • Product information and nutritional values are available separately for these biscuit varieties.
  • Fairtrade cocoa says nothing about nutritional value; also compare the portion size and the label.

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus Bakeries states that the cocoa in Lotus Biscoff chocolate bars is Rainforest Alliance certified.

  • Biscoff biscuits are available from retailers including Jumbo.
  • The claim about chocolate bars doesn’t confirm that Biscoff biscuits contain Fairtrade cocoa.

Albert Heijn

For individual Verkade chocolate biscuits, Albert Heijn provides information about Fairtrade cocoa and product ingredients.

  • For some products, you can also check portions, nutritional values and allergens.
  • Product information can change, so check the packaging of the biscuit you’ve chosen.

Jumbo

Jumbo stocks a range of chocolate biscuits and has a separate Fairtrade category.

  • You can browse different types of biscuits and pack sizes.
  • A chocolate biscuit category doesn’t confirm that every individual product contains Fairtrade cocoa.

Lidl

Lidl says that cocoa in its own-brand products may be certified as Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance or organic.

  • Lidl explains the certification routes covered by its cocoa policy.
  • That policy doesn’t confirm that a specific Lidl biscuit contains Fairtrade cocoa.

ALDI

For cocoa in its products, ALDI lists Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance and the EU organic logo as certification routes.

  • Its cocoa policy makes clear that it uses different certification marks.
  • Check the packaging of each biscuit to see which claim it actually carries.

Related products at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does Fairtrade cocoa make a chocolate biscuit suitable as a regular study snack?

No. The Fairtrade claim relates to the cocoa, not the nutritional value or your eating habits. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises eating regularly and drinking enough around exam time; if you’re having a biscuit, check the nutritional information too and choose a portion mindfully.

How can I check whether a biscuit contains Fairtrade cocoa?

Look for an explicit Fairtrade claim on the current packaging of the exact product, and check whether it refers to cocoa, chocolate or other ingredients. A retailer’s general cocoa policy or a different certification mark doesn’t confirm that the biscuit is Fairtrade.

What does an explanation of mass balance mean for Fairtrade chocolate?

It may mean that certified and non-certified ingredients are mixed during production, while the quantities purchased match the quantities required. Albert Heijn provides this explanation for one of its own chocolate bars; don’t assume the same production method applies to every chocolate biscuit.

Which allergens should I check in chocolate biscuits?

Read the allergen information on the specific pack, as ingredients vary from product to product. The Verkade varieties mentioned contain, among other things, cereals containing gluten, milk and soya; egg and nuts are also listed as possible allergens for Lange Nekken. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that the mandatory labelling rules cover 14 allergens.