If Fairtrade is a specific requirement, choose chocolate biscuits with a Fairtrade claim for the cocoa or chocolate in the product you’re buying. Verkade says it uses Fairtrade-certified cocoa for the chocolate on and in its biscuits. Check the claim for the variant you choose, as a different cocoa certification does not automatically mean Fairtrade. For your work meeting, also consider the number of biscuits, how they’re packaged and the allergen information.
You want to be able to show that the chocolate in the biscuits you’ve chosen for your meeting meets the agreed Fairtrade requirement. Verkade says it uses Fairtrade-certified cocoa for the chocolate on and in its biscuits. Check the claim for the variant you’re buying.
You want to know how many biscuits you can hand out and which ingredients and allergens are listed on the packaging. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that allergens in packaged products are clearly identified in the ingredients list.
You’re also happy to accept a cocoa certification other than Fairtrade, as long as it’s clear which standard applies to the product you’ve chosen. Lotus Bakeries, ALDI Nederland and Lidl Nederland list various certifications for specific products or ranges; their general information does not determine the status of every chocolate biscuit.
First, decide whether Fairtrade is a must for your work meeting. Then compare the information on the packaging of your chosen product with what you need to serve the biscuits to your group.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade claim | Check whether the packaging or current product information states that the cocoa or chocolate in the biscuit you’ve chosen is Fairtrade. | If my work meeting requires Fairtrade, I want to be able to verify the claim for the biscuit I’ve chosen. Around 42% of consumers put this proof first. |
| Allergens and portions | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging, and count the biscuits and portions you’ll be handing out. | When colleagues are joining in, I want to check the allergens before serving and know how to share out the biscuits. This is the main concern for around 33% of consumers. |
| Range and quantities | Check whether you can get enough packs of the same product, and which cocoa certification they carry. | For a larger group, I want to arrange enough suitable packs without mistaking a general brand claim for a product-specific one. Around 25% of consumers put this practical consideration first. |
Rainforest Alliance and organic certification are not the same as Fairtrade. If Fairtrade has been agreed for your work meeting, a general sustainability claim is not proof that the biscuit you’ve chosen meets the requirement.
Agree on the required certification in advance, then check the claim on the current packaging or product information.
ALDI Nederland and Lidl Nederland describe several cocoa certifications. That policy doesn’t tell you which claim appears on an individual chocolate biscuit.
Check the specific variant you want to order, including its cocoa claim and ingredients.
Attendees may need the ingredients and allergen information to decide whether a biscuit is suitable for them. Product information can also change.
Read the packaging from the batch you’ve bought and keep it with the biscuits. If you know in advance that someone has a food allergy, provide a suitable alternative separately where necessary.
The weight of a pack doesn’t tell you how many individual portions it contains. For example, ALDI Nederland describes a pack of Biscotto chocolate biscuits containing 20 biscuits, packaged in pairs.
Check the number of biscuits and how they’re packaged before deciding how many packs you need.
Worth considering when a Fairtrade claim for chocolate on or in the biscuits is essential.
A point of reference if you’re happy with a cocoa certification other than Fairtrade.
A retailer where you can check information about specific chocolate biscuits.
A retailer where you can browse chocolate biscuits and check the certification of each product.
Worth considering if your purchasing requirements allow for several cocoa certifications.
A retailer where it’s worth checking the certification and portions for each biscuit product.
No, it may be certified to a different standard. For example, Lotus Bakeries lists Rainforest Alliance certification for specific product groups, while ALDI Nederland and Lidl Nederland mention several standards in their cocoa policies. If Fairtrade is a specific requirement, check the claim for the biscuit you’ve chosen.
Keep the packaging for the biscuits you’re serving close at hand so attendees can read the ingredients and allergen information. Before serving, check that the information matches the variant actually on the table.
Check the packaging of the batch you’re buying too. Albert Heijn warns that product information, including ingredients and allergens, can change. An older page may therefore not match the biscuits you’re serving.
