Hosts who want to check the Fairtrade claim
You’re looking for a biscuit for the Sunday breakfast table and want to check the current packaging or product page to see whether the cocoa or chocolate is explicitly labelled Fairtrade.
Who are these biscuits for?
When choosing biscuits for Sunday breakfast, there’s more to consider than taste: what exactly the Fairtrade claim covers, who’s joining you and how much you’d like to serve.
People sharing breakfast with guests who have allergies
You’re putting biscuits out for several people and need to be able to check the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings for each product. A Fairtrade cocoa claim doesn’t tell you this.
Hosts who want to compare portions
You want to serve a biscuit with breakfast, so you’re checking the amount per biscuit or pack. Compare the nutritional values per 100 g on the same basis, then consider the portion you actually plan to serve.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, check whether the specific biscuit carries a Fairtrade claim. Then compare the portion size, allergens and any other requirements, such as organic ingredients or information about where the cocoa comes from.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade cocoa | Look for an explicit Fairtrade claim on the current packaging or product page, and check which ingredients it applies to. | When I’m buying for the Sunday breakfast table, I want to be able to find the Fairtrade claim on the specific biscuit. For around 33% of consumers, checking this is their main reason for buying. |
| Portion and occasion | Check the pack weight and portion size; compare sugars and fats per 100 g on the same basis. | When sharing breakfast, I want to know how many biscuits to put out and whether individually wrapped portions would be useful. For around 27% of consumers, portion size is the main consideration. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients, allergen information and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the current packaging. | If guests have a food allergy, I want to be able to check whether the biscuit is suitable for them. Allergens are the main buying consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
| Organic ingredients and origin | Check the organic label and Fairtrade claim separately; if physical traceability matters to you, look for specific information about it. | If organic ingredients or the physical origin of the cocoa matter to me too, I want to know what each claim covers. For around 20% of consumers, the scope of the claim is their primary consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking a general sustainability claim for a Fairtrade claim
Albert Heijn says that its own-brand cocoa is Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade certified. This doesn’t establish which claim applies to a specific own-brand biscuit.
Check the Fairtrade claim on the biscuit’s own packaging or product page.
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Assuming Fairtrade cocoa is physically traceable
According to Fairtrade International, mass balance may be used for cocoa. This means Fairtrade and non-Fairtrade cocoa don’t have to remain physically separate during processing, while the volumes traded are tracked.
If physical traceability is essential, look for information about the origin of the cocoa in that specific product.
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Assuming a product description means it’s currently available
Jumbo provides information about organic and Fairtrade ingredients for its Bio+ Fair Chocolade Koekjes, but also says the product is no longer in its online range.
Check whether the product is available before buying.
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Overlooking allergens and nutritional information
A Fairtrade cocoa claim says nothing about the biscuit’s other ingredients or nutritional value. When sharing breakfast, allergens may be an important consideration for individual guests.
Read the current allergen information and compare sugars and fats per 100 g if these details are relevant to your choice.
Brands to consider
These brands offer a starting point for comparing product claims. Always check the specific biscuit: a claim made by a brand doesn’t automatically apply to every variety.
Verkade
Worth considering if you’re looking for chocolate biscuits with an explicit Fairtrade cocoa claim you can check.
- Verkade says that the cocoa in the chocolate on and in its biscuits is Fairtrade. Albert Heijn also lists Fairtrade chocolate or cocoa for products including Chocorondjes, Lange Nekken and Choco S'mores.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and exact scope of the claim for each variety.
Bio+
A point of reference for chocolate biscuits described as combining organic ingredients with Fairtrade standards.
- For Bio+ Fair Chocolade Koekjes, Jumbo lists organic ingredients and Fairtrade standards for the dark chocolate and cane sugar.
- Jumbo says this product is no longer in its online range. Check availability before choosing it for breakfast.
Albert Heijn
Worth considering if you want to assess the cocoa claim on an own-brand biscuit individually.
- Albert Heijn says the cocoa in its own-brand products is Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade certified.
- This general statement doesn’t confirm that a particular own-brand biscuit contains Fairtrade cocoa. Check the product information for the variety you’ve chosen.
Related products on Joybuy
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Are all the ingredients Fairtrade if the cocoa is?
No, a Fairtrade cocoa claim doesn’t automatically apply to all the ingredients in a biscuit. Fairtrade International sets a minimum total Fairtrade content of 20% for composite products; check the packaging to see which ingredients are covered by the claim.
Can I use a Fairtrade claim to trace the cocoa physically back to the biscuit?
Not always. Fairtrade International allows mass balance for cocoa, which means Fairtrade and non-Fairtrade cocoa may be mixed during processing, while the volumes traded are tracked. Look for additional traceability information if physical separation is a requirement for you.
How do I check allergens for several breakfast guests?
For each variety you choose, read the allergen information on the current packaging, including any ‘may contain’ warnings. According to the Voedingscentrum, the label is important if you have a food allergy; don’t rely on information for another biscuit from the same brand.
How should I store opened chocolate biscuits for another breakfast?
Follow the storage instructions for the specific product. Albert Heijn says to store Verkade Chocorondjes in a cool, dry place and seal the pack after opening.
Does Fairtrade cocoa tell me anything about a biscuit’s nutritional value?
No, the Fairtrade claim doesn’t tell you how much sugar or fat a biscuit contains. Use the nutritional information per 100 g to compare biscuits on the same basis, then consider the portion you plan to serve.