When choosing chocolate biscuits for a moment on the patio, don’t rely on the word Fairtrade alone: check the packaging to see which ingredients the claim applies to. Then compare the pack size with the number of people sharing, and read the latest ingredients and allergen information before choosing a variety.
You’re looking for chocolate biscuits to share and want to know exactly what the claim covers. For a FAIRTRADE mark with an arrow, Fairtrade International advises checking the explanation on the back of the pack, which provides more information about the ingredients and sourcing method.
You want to bring something for coffee or tea without opening a large pack. Compare the net weight, number of portions and storage advice. Albert Heijn lists Verkade Choco S'mores in a 66 g pack, with around six portions.
Only choose a variety if its ingredients and warnings about the possible presence of allergens meet your needs. Check the latest label, even if you’ve already looked at a product page.
When choosing chocolate biscuits for the patio, first check what the Fairtrade claim means and review the allergen information. Then choose a pack size to suit your group.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| What Fairtrade means | Check the mark, any arrow and the explanation on the pack about the ingredients it applies to. | I want to know whether the claim on the biscuits applies to the cocoa or to other ingredients too. For around 31% of consumers, this clarity comes first. |
| Allergens and ingredients | Read the latest ingredients list and any warnings about the possible presence of allergens. | If allergens determine which biscuits I can choose, I also check the warnings on the label. Around 31% of consumers give this check top priority. |
| Sharing or taking with you | Compare the net weight, number of portions and storage advice once opened. | For a group, I want enough biscuits to put out for everyone; if I’m taking them for myself, I’d rather have a smaller pack. For around 19% of consumers, finding the right quantity is the main consideration. |
| Organic status and availability | Check any organic claim alongside the Fairtrade information, and look at the product’s current status. | I want to assess both claims before choosing and know whether the variety is available. This combination matters most to around 19% of consumers. |
For a biscuit made with several ingredients, a claim about Fairtrade cocoa doesn’t in itself say anything about the Fairtrade status of the other ingredients.
Check which raw materials are listed on the pack. If there’s a FAIRTRADE mark with an arrow, Fairtrade International directs you to the back for details about the ingredients and sourcing method.
A Fairtrade or organic claim doesn’t tell you which allergens a chocolate biscuit contains or may contain.
Before buying and eating the biscuits, check the latest ingredients list and warnings on the pack for the specific variety you’ve chosen.
A product page may still show information about biscuits that are no longer part of the online range. Jumbo’s product page for Bio+ Fair Chocolate Biscuits listed both.
Check the product’s current status at the retailer you plan to buy from.
Worth considering if you’re looking for chocolate biscuits where Fairtrade cocoa is specified for a particular variety.
A product example for anyone wanting to assess an organic claim alongside information about Fairtrade ingredients.
A retailer to consider if you want to check which cocoa claim applies to an own-label biscuit.
Not necessarily. Check which ingredients the claim applies to. For a FAIRTRADE mark with an arrow, Fairtrade International directs you to the back of the pack for more information about the ingredients and sourcing method.
Yes. Read the latest label for the variety you’ve chosen, including any warnings about the possible presence of allergens. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergens that must be declared should be clearly listed in the ingredients list.
Choose according to how many people will be sharing, and check the storage advice once the pack is open. Albert Heijn lists Verkade Chocorondjes at 150 g and nine portions, compared with 66 g and around six portions for Verkade Choco S'mores. The smaller pack may be more practical to take with you.
No. Check the product’s current status with the retailer. Jumbo’s page for Bio+ Fair Chocolate Biscuits included product information, but also said the product was no longer in the online range.
