Who is this relevant to?

Late-night snacker who cares about certifications

You want to know whether the Fairtrade claim applies to the cocoa, other ingredients or the finished product. Check the explanation on the packaging to find out.

Shopper who keeps an eye on portions

You want to decide in advance how many biscuits to have. Product information showing the weight per biscuit or a clear portion size can help you choose.

Shopper who checks allergens

You need to read the ingredients and warnings on the label carefully, as recipes and possible traces vary between chocolate biscuits.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide what you want the Fairtrade claim to mean for your choice. Then compare portion sizes and read the allergen information for the exact biscuit before buying.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
What Fairtrade means Read which ingredients the claim covers. If there’s a Fairtrade mark with an arrow, check the explanation on the back of the packaging. If Fairtrade matters to me, I want to know exactly what the certification covers on this biscuit. This clarity is the top priority for around 45% of consumers.
Portion size Compare the weight per biscuit or portion, and the number of portions per pack. For a late-night snack, I want to choose an amount in advance rather than looking only at the pack’s total weight. This is the most important consideration for around 33% of consumers.
Allergens and ingredients Read the current ingredients list, allergen information and any warnings about traces. If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I need to check the label again, even on a biscuit I know well. Around 22% of consumers make this check their top priority.

Pitfalls to avoid when buying

  • Assuming Fairtrade cocoa means the whole biscuit is Fairtrade

    A chocolate biscuit is made from several ingredients. A claim about the cocoa doesn’t confirm that the other ingredients are Fairtrade too.

    Read the explanation of the certification on the packaging. For a certification mark with an arrow, Fairtrade International directs shoppers to the back for information about the ingredients and sourcing.

  • Relying on a brand’s or supermarket’s policy

    A cocoa policy or Fairtrade range doesn’t tell you which certification appears on an individual chocolate biscuit. Albert Heijn says its own-brand cocoa is certified by either Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade; these are different certifications.

    Check the packaging or current product information for the specific biscuit before choosing it based on a certification.

  • Skipping allergen and trace warnings

    Ingredients and possible traces vary between varieties. So checking a different biscuit or an older pack before isn’t enough for this purchase.

    Always read the current label, including the allergen information and any ‘may contain’ warnings.

Brands to consider

Verkade

Verkade says it uses Fairtrade-certified cocoa for the chocolate on and in its biscuits. Albert Heijn lists FairTrade Cocoa in the product information for Verkade Chocorondjes and Choco S'mores.

  • Portion sizes are also listed for these two chocolate biscuits.
  • Check each pack to see whether the Fairtrade claim meets your requirements for cocoa or for the finished product, and read the allergen information for the variety you choose.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn says the cocoa in its own-brand products is certified by either Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade.

  • Its cocoa policy gives you a starting point when browsing own-brand products.
  • The policy doesn’t confirm that a particular chocolate biscuit is Fairtrade. Check the individual label and distinguish Rainforest Alliance from Fairtrade.

Lidl Way To Go

Lidl describes the chocolate in its Way To Go range as fully Fairtrade-certified.

  • An option to consider if chocolate without a biscuit also suits you.
  • Way To Go is a range of chocolate bars, not chocolate biscuits.

ALDI

ALDI lists Fairtrade chocolate in its range.

  • The range gives you a starting point when looking for a Fairtrade claim.
  • A general claim about the range doesn’t confirm that an individual Biscotto chocolate biscuit carries a Fairtrade certification. Check the label on the exact product.

Chocolate biscuits at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does Fairtrade cocoa mean the whole chocolate biscuit is Fairtrade?

No. A Fairtrade cocoa claim doesn’t automatically confirm that all the biscuit’s ingredients are Fairtrade. For a certification mark with an arrow, Fairtrade International advises checking the back of the packaging to see which ingredients and sourcing the claim covers.

Which allergens should I check in chocolate biscuits?

Read the allergen information for the variety you’ve chosen, including any warnings about traces. Albert Heijn’s product information lists milk and wheat among the allergens in Verkade Chocorondjes; Choco S'mores also lists egg, hazelnut, soya and sulphites. Always check the current packaging.

How do I compare portions for a late-night snack?

Compare the weight per biscuit or portion with the number of portions per pack, rather than looking only at the pack’s total weight. Albert Heijn lists Verkade Choco S'mores as approximately 11 g per biscuit, with six portions; Chocorondjes is listed as nine portions of 16,7 g. These figures can help you choose a portion, but they don’t tell you which option is healthier.

Why should I check the packaging if I’ve already read the product information?

The packaging provides the current ingredients, allergens, nutritional information and certification details for the exact product you’re buying. Check this information again if any of these factors affect your choice.

Is Lidl Way To Go an alternative to a Fairtrade chocolate biscuit?

Only if you’d also be happy with a chocolate bar instead of a biscuit. Lidl describes Way To Go chocolate as fully Fairtrade-certified, but the products mentioned are bars and don’t have the biscuit element of a chocolate biscuit.