Biscuit lover who watches portion sizes
You want to enjoy a chocolate biscuit now and then and keep an eye on how many you actually eat. Consider the portion and its kcal as part of your overall diet.
Who this choice matters to
Shopper who prefers Fairtrade
You want to know whether the cocoa, chocolate or other named ingredients have been traded under Fairtrade terms. Another cocoa certification doesn’t automatically meet that preference.
Shopper checking for allergens
You’re buying for yourself or someone else with a food allergy, so you check the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging, separately from any certification.
What should you look for?
First decide what matters most to you: the portion you’ll eat, a specific Fairtrade claim, other nutritional information or allergens. Then check these details on the biscuit itself, because a cocoa certification doesn’t tell you how much you’ll eat.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to most |
|---|---|---|
| Energy and portion size | Check the kcal per stated portion and compare that portion with the number of biscuits you plan to eat. | When I plan a biscuit break, I want to know how much my portion adds to my energy intake. That’s why around 36% of consumers prioritise portion size. |
| Fairtrade claim | Check whether Fairtrade is explicitly mentioned and which ingredients the claim applies to. | What matters most to me is that the cocoa or chocolate in this biscuit demonstrably meets my Fairtrade preference. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Nutritional value | Compare sugars and saturated fat per 100 g and per portion; check the ingredients list too. | For a planned biscuit break, I also want to know how the nutritional values of different biscuits compare. For around 21% of consumers, comparing labels is the main priority. |
| Allergens | Check the current packaging for ingredients, allergens and any relevant warnings. | If I need to take a food allergy into account, the current allergen information determines whether a biscuit is suitable. This is the first thing around 14% of consumers look for. |
Common mistakes
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Taking Fairtrade as a nutrition claim
A Fairtrade claim is about the trading terms for the ingredients named. It doesn’t tell you the energy, sugar or saturated fat content.
Use the certification as a separate buying criterion, and check the nutritional information for the portion you plan to eat as well.
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Assuming all cocoa certifications mean the same thing
Jumbo says its Chocolate Cookies with dark chocolate pieces contain Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa. That isn’t the same claim as Fairtrade.
If Fairtrade is a must-have for you, look for an explicit Fairtrade claim on the product in question.
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Comparing only the values per 100 g
Values per 100 g are useful for comparing products, but they don’t automatically tell you how much you’ll eat during one biscuit break.
Check the stated portion too, and calculate based on the number of biscuits you’ll actually choose.
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Relying only on the product page when you have allergies
If you have a food allergy, the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging in your hands are what matter when checking a product; online information may differ.
Before eating, read the current physical packaging, including any warnings relevant to your allergy.
Brands and retailers to explore
Verkade
Worth considering if you’re looking for a Fairtrade claim on a specific chocolate biscuit.
- Albert Heijn states that Verkade Lange Nekken milk chocolate contains Fairtrade cocoa.
- That claim says nothing about nutritional value; check the portion and nutritional information separately.
Bio+
An example of a product where the Fairtrade claim applies to specific ingredients.
- According to Jumbo, the dark chocolate and cane sugar in Bio+ Fair Chocolate Biscuits have been traded under Fairtrade terms.
- Jumbo listed the product as part of its online range. Check the current packaging and availability before counting on this specific biscuit.
Albert Heijn
Useful for information about cocoa certification in own-brand products.
- Albert Heijn says the cocoa in its own-brand products is Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade certified.
- This statement doesn’t mean that every individual own-brand biscuit is a Fairtrade product; check the claim on each pack.
Jumbo
A retailer whose product information shows why it’s important to check each biscuit individually.
- The Jumbo Chocolate Cookies with dark chocolate pieces product page gives nutritional values per stated portion.
- According to Jumbo, the cocoa in these biscuits carries a Rainforest Alliance claim; don’t treat it as a Fairtrade claim.
Lotus Biscoff
Worth considering if you want to compare a brand’s statement about cocoa with the specific biscuit you’re buying.
- Lotus Bakeries says that products including Lotus Biscoff chocolate bars contain Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa ingredients.
- That brand statement doesn’t confirm Fairtrade certification for Biscoff biscuits.
Lidl
A retailer with Fairtrade information about specific chocolate ranges.
- Lidl describes its Way To Go chocolate bars as Fairtrade certified.
- That information relates to chocolate bars, not automatically to chocolate biscuits; check the packaging of any biscuits you buy.
Related products on Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need Fairtrade chocolate for weight management?
No. Fairtrade describes the trading terms for the ingredients named; it isn’t a nutrition claim. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, weight loss involves consuming less energy than you use. So assess the portion and nutritional value separately from your preference for Fairtrade.
How can I tell if a chocolate biscuit meets my Fairtrade preference?
Look for an explicit Fairtrade claim on the packaging and check which ingredients it covers. Albert Heijn names Fairtrade cocoa in Verkade Lange Nekken; Jumbo says the dark chocolate and cane sugar in Bio+ Fair Chocolate Biscuits have been traded under Fairtrade terms.
Is Rainforest Alliance the same as Fairtrade?
No, they’re different certifications. If Fairtrade is a must-have when you shop, a Rainforest Alliance claim on its own isn’t enough; check the claim on the specific biscuit.
What should I check on the label if I have a food allergy?
Read the ingredients, clearly identified allergens and any relevant warnings on the current packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights the importance of allergen information on food labels; don’t rely solely on an online product page.