For a coffee break, choose a chocolate biscuit whose cocoa or chocolate is explicitly labelled as Fairtrade on the exact product variant. A general claim from a brand or supermarket isn’t enough. Then check that the ingredients, allergens, serving size and nutritional information suit your needs. Fairtrade status alone tells you nothing about these properties.
You’re looking for a chocolate biscuit to enjoy with your afternoon coffee and want to know whether the Fairtrade label applies to the cocoa or chocolate in that particular variant. Milieu Centraal explains that a Fairtrade logo on a white background may identify just one certified ingredient, rather than the whole product.
If you’re buying biscuits for yourself or someone else, the presence of ingredients such as milk, wheat or soya may affect your choice. Check the ingredients and any warnings about the possible presence of allergens on the packaging of the variant you choose.
For a short break or a coffee moment to share, the number of biscuits, the packaging and the nutritional information may all be worth considering. Compare the values per 100 g and, where provided, per serving, without using them alone to judge the biscuit.
First, check whether the Fairtrade label applies to the cocoa or chocolate in the biscuit you’ve chosen. Then compare the allergens and the amount you want to enjoy during your coffee break.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade cocoa or chocolate | Check the current packaging or product page to see whether the Fairtrade label applies to the cocoa or chocolate in the exact flavour and pack variant. | I want a biscuit with my coffee whose cocoa’s Fairtrade status I can check, rather than relying on a general brand claim. For around 40% of consumers, being able to verify this status comes first. |
| Allergens | Check the allergens in the ingredients list and any warnings about possible presence on the packaging you’re buying. | When I buy biscuits for myself or guests, I want to know what ingredients the chosen variant contains. Allergens are the most important factor for around 30% of consumers. |
| Portion and coffee break | Compare the number of biscuits, the pack weight and the nutritional information per 100 g and, where provided, per serving. | For a short break, I want to decide how many biscuits to have or share, and whether the pack is suitable. Around 30% of consumers give this practical consideration top priority. |
A supermarket may buy cocoa with different certifications, while, according to Milieu Centraal, a Fairtrade logo may apply to just one ingredient. So a general policy doesn’t tell you whether the cocoa in the chocolate biscuit you’ve chosen is Fairtrade.
Look for the label on the exact flavour and pack, and check which ingredient it applies to.
A Fairtrade label tells you nothing about milk, gluten, soya or other allergens. Ingredients and warnings may vary between biscuit variants.
Before buying or eating the biscuits, check the ingredients list and any warnings about the possible presence of allergens on the current packaging.
The pack weight doesn’t tell you how many biscuits you’ll want during one coffee break. Also check the number of biscuits, serving information and storage instructions.
Choose a pack to suit whether you’ll be eating the biscuits alone or sharing them, and how you can store an opened pack.
With a large pack, you may have biscuits left over after opening that lose their quality before you get to eat them.
A brand or shop can help you start your search, but always check the Fairtrade label and ingredients for the individual chocolate biscuit.
For Verkade Nizza coconut milk chocolate biscuits, Albert Heijn’s product information states that the cocoa is Fairtrade. Verkade also says it uses Fairtrade-certified cocoa for the chocolate on and in its biscuits.
Albert Heijn says that the cocoa in its own-brand products is Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade certified.
Lidl describes its Way To Go chocolate bars as fully Fairtrade certified. For its own-brand cocoa, Lidl also lists Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance or Organic as certification options.
ALDI Netherlands lists Fairtrade chocolate in its range.
Lotus Bakeries publishes ingredients and nutritional information for Lotus Speculoos with Chocolate, so you can check the composition of this speculoos variant.
Fairtrade Netherlands lists Jumbo as a shop that stocks various Fairtrade products, including chocolate.
No, not always. According to Milieu Centraal, a Fairtrade logo on a white background may apply to just one certified ingredient. So check whether the label applies to the cocoa or chocolate in the exact biscuit variant you’ve chosen.
Read the ingredients list and any warnings on the packaging of the exact variant. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergens must be listed in the ingredients list on prepacked foods, so don’t assume another flavour has the same ingredients.
No, a Fairtrade label isn’t an assessment of nutritional value. Check the ingredients, serving size and nutritional information separately, including sugars and fats per 100 g and, where provided, per serving.
Use that policy to help you find products, not to establish the certification of one pack of biscuits. For example, Albert Heijn lists Fairtrade or Rainforest Alliance for its own-brand cocoa, while Lidl also lists Organic for its own-brand cocoa. So check the label on the product you choose.
