Who are these choices relevant to?

Walkers who put Fairtrade first

You’ll only pack a chocolate biscuit if the Fairtrade claim for its cocoa or chocolate is clear on that specific product. The certification and the explanation on the packaging matter more to you than the brand.

Day walkers with limited bag space

You’re looking for a compact biscuit, or one packed in individual portions, that fits in your coat pocket or rucksack without having to carry a large pack. You’ll still need to check any Fairtrade claim on the product you choose.

Shoppers who compare labels

You want to compare the nutritional value of similar biscuits as well as checking the Fairtrade claim. If allergens are a concern, read the current ingredients and allergen information before setting off, too.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the Fairtrade claim on the exact chocolate biscuit you’re considering. Then check whether the packaging is suitable for taking on a walk and, where relevant, compare the nutritional information and allergen details.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Fairtrade cocoa or chocolate Look for a Fairtrade mark or an explicit Fairtrade claim for the product. If there’s an arrow beside the logo, read the explanation to see which ingredients it applies to. If you only want to take a chocolate biscuit with a clear Fairtrade claim, you’ll want to be able to find it on the packaging. Around 42% of consumers put this confirmation first.
Packaging and portion size Check the net weight and whether the biscuits are individually wrapped or divided into smaller portions. Follow the storage advice on the pack. A compact portion is useful if I have limited room in my bag on a walk. For around 33% of consumers, portability is the deciding factor.
Nutritional value and allergens Compare similar biscuits per 100 g for sugars, saturated fat, salt and fibre. Also read the ingredients and allergen information. If I’m comparing biscuits or need to avoid an allergen, I want to read the label before setting off. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this check.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing other cocoa certifications with Fairtrade

    A Rainforest Alliance, organic or certified cocoa claim doesn’t, by itself, confirm that the chocolate biscuit contains Fairtrade cocoa. Brands and shops may use different certification schemes.

    If Fairtrade is a must-have, look for the claim on the exact product rather than relying on a general statement about cocoa sourcing.

  • Assuming Fairtrade means full physical traceability

    Fairtrade International explains that mass balance may be used for cocoa: Fairtrade and non-Fairtrade volumes can be mixed during processing. So a Fairtrade claim doesn’t automatically mean the cocoa in every individual biscuit has been kept physically separate.

    If traceability is important to your choice, read the explanation accompanying the certification.

  • Checking only the front of the pack

    A Fairtrade claim doesn’t tell you about a product’s nutritional value. Nor does a prominent claim on the front replace the nutrition table.

    The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises comparing products per 100 g. For similar biscuits, check sugars, saturated fat, salt and fibre, among other things.

  • Leaving allergen checks until you’re on the go

    Which allergens matter varies from one biscuit to another, so use the packaging of the product you’re actually taking with you as the basis for your check.

    Read the current ingredients and allergen information before buying, and check for warnings about possible traces too, if relevant to you.

Brands and shops to explore

Statements about cocoa across a product range or shop’s selection don’t automatically apply to every chocolate biscuit. Always check the claim on the product you want to take with you.

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus Bakeries’ statement about cocoa refers to Lotus Biscoff chocolate bars, not all Biscoff biscuits.

  • Lotus Bakeries says the cocoa butter, cocoa mass and chocolate in those chocolate bars are Rainforest Alliance certified.
  • This doesn’t confirm that an individual Biscoff biscuit contains Fairtrade cocoa. Check the label of the variety you choose.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn’s statement about its own-brand cocoa is a useful starting point, but it doesn’t confirm Fairtrade certification for every biscuit.

  • Albert Heijn says the cocoa in its own-brand products is Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade certified.
  • As either scheme may apply, check the label of a specific biscuit to see which claim it carries.

Jumbo

Check for a Fairtrade claim on each Jumbo biscuit individually, rather than relying on a variety you looked at before.

  • Jumbo says its 140 g Bio+ Fair Chocolate Biscuits are no longer available. For another biscuit, check the current product information again.

Lidl

A Fairtrade claim for chocolate in a particular product range doesn’t tell you which certification applies to a Lidl biscuit.

  • Lidl Netherlands says its seasonal Favorina chocolate is Fairtrade certified.
  • This statement doesn’t automatically apply to biscuits. Look for a claim on the packaging of the specific product.

ALDI

At ALDI, too, it’s important to distinguish between Fairtrade chocolate and a biscuit made with Fairtrade cocoa.

  • ALDI Netherlands lists Moser Roth chocolate and seasonal chocolate as Fairtrade certified.
  • That doesn’t mean a standard chocolate biscuit is Fairtrade. Check the claim on the pack you choose.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products will appear soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I identify Fairtrade cocoa in a chocolate biscuit?

Look for a Fairtrade mark or an explicit Fairtrade cocoa claim on the specific product. Fairtrade International explains that, for a composite product, an arrow beside the logo points to additional information about the ingredients concerned. So read the text on the packaging, too.

Is the cocoa in a Fairtrade biscuit always physically traceable?

No, not necessarily. Fairtrade International says mass balance may be used for cocoa, with Fairtrade and non-Fairtrade volumes mixed during processing. If physical traceability is a must-have for you, read the product information.

How should I compare chocolate biscuits for a walk?

Compare similar biscuits per 100 g, and also consider the packaging you’ll be taking with you. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises comparing products per 100 g. For a walk, the net weight, individual portions and storage advice may also influence your choice.

Where can I check for allergens before taking biscuits with me?

Read the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the biscuit you’ve chosen. If relevant to you, also look for warnings about possible traces. Don’t rely solely on online product information you looked at earlier.

Does a Fairtrade mark tell me anything about nutritional value?

No. A Fairtrade claim relates to the ingredients concerned and the terms on which they’re sourced, not the amount of sugars, fat, salt or fibre. To compare those, use the nutrition information for similar biscuits per 100 g.