If you’re picking a chocolate biscuit made with Fairtrade cocoa during a quick top-up shop, check the claim on the packaging of the specific product. A general promise from the retailer isn’t enough. See which ingredient the Fairtrade claim applies to, and check the allergen and nutritional information too; a cocoa certification tells you nothing about those.
You want to see whether the cocoa or chocolate in the biscuit you choose carries a Fairtrade claim, even when you’re making a small top-up purchase. Fairtrade says the packaging states which ingredients the claim applies to.
You’re looking for a chocolate biscuit to add to your shopping. If it’s a seasonal product, first check that your chosen variety is available, then see what its own label says about Fairtrade.
You’re choosing a biscuit for on the go, at home or with a coffee, and want to check the allergen and nutritional information too. These details vary by product and can’t be inferred from a cocoa certification.
First, check the Fairtrade claim on the chocolate biscuit itself. Then compare the pack size and label with those of other biscuits you’re considering.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade cocoa | Look for the claim on the specific product and check whether it applies to the cocoa, chocolate or another ingredient. | I don’t want to rely on a general promise from the retailer when I’m shopping quickly; I want to know what the claim on this biscuit covers. For around 33% of consumers, clarity about Fairtrade cocoa comes first. |
| Availability | Check whether your chosen variety is available in store or online, particularly if it’s a seasonal product. | If I’m only picking up a few things, I don’t want to search for a biscuit that’s only sold temporarily. Around 27% of consumers give top priority to immediate availability. |
| Pack size and packaging | Check the weight in grams and choose a pack that suits taking with you, sharing or keeping for later. | For a small top-up shop, I want a pack that suits what I’ll actually use. This is the most important consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
| Allergens and nutritional information | Read the latest allergen information and compare sugars, salt and saturates per 100 g for similar biscuits. | I need to know what’s in the biscuit before I choose it, even if its cocoa carries a Fairtrade claim. For around 20% of consumers, this label information comes first. |
Lidl Netherlands and ALDI Netherlands mention other cocoa certification schemes alongside Fairtrade. Their general policies therefore don’t confirm which certification applies to the biscuit you’ve chosen.
Look for the Fairtrade claim on the current packaging or product page, and check which ingredient it applies to.
Fairtrade allows mass balance for cocoa. So a claim on the front of the pack alone doesn’t tell you how the cocoa has been handled throughout the supply chain.
If cocoa traceability matters to your choice, read the explanation accompanying the certification.
A Fairtrade claim for cocoa tells you nothing about the biscuit’s allergens or nutritional value. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights the importance of allergen information on food labels.
Check the allergens on the current packaging and use the nutritional information per 100 g to compare similar biscuits.
ALDI Netherlands lists Fairtrade cocoa for a Winter Wreaths variety, but a seasonal product may not be available the next time you shop.
Check whether that variety is available, and if you choose an alternative, check the claim on that specific product again.
A brand to check variety by variety if you’re looking for a chocolate biscuit with an explicit Fairtrade claim.
An own-label option where it’s worth checking the certification of each individual biscuit.
An own-label option where a general cocoa sourcing policy isn’t the same as a Fairtrade claim on the biscuit you choose.
With Jumbo, it’s important to treat chocolate biscuits and other chocolate snacks as separate product categories.
A familiar speculoos option if flavour or a coffee break is your priority, but not in itself a confirmed Fairtrade choice.
No, not unless there’s a Fairtrade claim for the specific product. Lidl Netherlands and ALDI Netherlands mention several cocoa certification schemes, so check the biscuit’s current packaging or product page.
The Fairtrade claim applies to the named ingredient, such as cocoa, and not necessarily to every ingredient in the chocolate biscuit. Check which ingredient is named and read the explanation on the packaging.
Yes. Read the allergen information for the biscuit you’re buying, as ingredients vary between varieties. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses that allergens must be clearly listed on the label because of the potential impact on people with allergies.
For similar biscuits, compare the sugars, salt and saturates per 100 g so that different pack sizes don’t skew the comparison. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends using the nutrition table on the label.
No. A Fairtrade claim for cocoa doesn’t describe the nutritional value of the whole biscuit. Check the nutritional information for that, and look at the serving size on the packaging if it matters to your choice.
