Who should consider this choice?

Holidaymakers who check the certification

You want to know whether the Fairtrade statement refers to the cocoa or what information the certification provides about the finished biscuit.

Families checking ingredients

You’re choosing for several people and want to be able to check the ingredients, allergens and any warnings on the exact packaging.

Travellers taking biscuits with them

You’re looking for a suitable pack size and want to keep the biscuits properly sealed while you’re away.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by checking what the Fairtrade statement covers. Then compare the exact variant’s ingredients, packaging and storage advice.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Fairtrade statement Check which ingredients the claim applies to. If you see the FAIRTRADE Mark with an arrow, also read the explanation on the back, as Fairtrade International advises for composite products. I don’t want to assume that every ingredient is Fairtrade just because the packaging mentions Fairtrade cocoa. Around 33% of consumers prioritise clarity about what the certification claim covers.
Taking biscuits with you and storing them Compare the pack size and storage advice. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing biscuits in a cool, dry, dark place in a well-sealed container. For a day out, I want to take an amount I can store properly; this is a priority for around 25% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Read the ingredients list, allergen information and any relevant warnings on the packaging for your chosen flavour. If someone in my travel group has an allergy, I need to be able to check this exact variant. This is the main concern for around 25% of consumers.
Availability Check the current product variant and Fairtrade statement at the shop where you’re buying it; a general biscuit category doesn’t confirm the claim for each product. I want to find a suitable biscuit before setting off, without having to guess based on a brand name or category. This matters most to around 17% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming Fairtrade cocoa means the whole biscuit is certified

    A claim specifically about cocoa doesn’t automatically describe the status of all the other ingredients. For composite products with a mark featuring an arrow, Fairtrade International points shoppers to additional information on the back of the packaging.

    Read the exact claim and the explanation on the packaging before comparing variants.

  • Relying on a brand name or an old offer as proof

    A brand may sell several variants, and a shop category doesn’t confirm which individual biscuits carry a Fairtrade statement.

    Check the packaging for the exact variant just before you buy.

  • Guessing allergens from the product photo

    The ingredients and allergen information apply to the specific variant, not to the image or a pack you bought previously.

    Check the current ingredients list and any warnings relevant to your travel group every time you buy.

  • Leaving an opened pack loose in your holiday bag

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, biscuits may become soft, stale or dry if they’re stored incorrectly.

    Seal the pack properly and follow the storage advice; keep biscuits somewhere cool, dry and dark.

Brands and shops to consider

Verkade

Albert Heijn lists Fairtrade cocoa in Verkade Choco s'mores, a chocolate biscuit with marshmallow and milk chocolate.

  • The product information for this variant also lists the ingredients, allergens and storage advice.
  • The Fairtrade cocoa statement doesn’t prove that every ingredient in the biscuit is Fairtrade.

Lidl Way To Go

Lidl says that its Way To Go chocolate bars are fully Fairtrade-certified.

  • An option if you’re also considering taking a chocolate bar on holiday.
  • These are chocolate bars, not chocolate biscuits.

Albert Heijn

The product information for Verkade Choco s'mores offers a specific example of a chocolate biscuit with a Fairtrade cocoa statement.

  • For this variant, you can read the claim alongside the ingredients and allergen information.
  • Information about this one biscuit doesn’t automatically apply to other variants or brands.

Jumbo

Jumbo has separate categories for chocolate biscuits and Fairtrade products.

  • These categories can help you search for a particular variant.
  • Check the Fairtrade statement for each product; the chocolate biscuit category alone doesn’t tell you whether it’s Fairtrade.

Aldi

Fairtrade Netherlands mentions Aldi in connection with Fairtrade products, including chocolate.

  • A shop where you can check the label on a specific chocolate snack.
  • A mention of Fairtrade chocolate doesn’t confirm that a particular biscuit carries the same claim.

Related products at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is a biscuit made with Fairtrade cocoa fully Fairtrade-certified?

Not automatically: the Fairtrade cocoa claim refers specifically to the cocoa. Fairtrade International explains that, for composite products, a FAIRTRADE Mark with an arrow points to information on the back. Read the explanation to find out what the statement means for the biscuit you’ve chosen.

How should I store chocolate biscuits during the summer holidays?

Store biscuits in a cool, dry, dark place in a well-sealed container, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Also follow the storage advice on the packaging for your chosen variant, especially after opening it.

Where can I check allergens in packaged chocolate biscuits?

Read the allergen information and ingredients list on the current packaging for the exact variant. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are shown on food labels; also check any warnings relevant to your circumstances.