Who is this relevant to?

Coffee drinkers looking for Fairtrade cocoa

You want the Fairtrade claim to apply to the chocolate biscuit you’ve chosen, not just to the brand or retailer. So check the packaging of the specific variety.

People serving biscuits with coffee to guests

You compare the type of biscuit, pack size and number of servings to find what suits your coffee break. The cocoa claim is a separate consideration.

Shoppers with allergies or dietary requirements

Check the ingredients, allergens and any warnings about cross-contamination on the pack you’ve chosen. A Fairtrade claim tells you nothing about these.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether Fairtrade cocoa is a must-have for you. Then compare the type of biscuit and the number of servings, without overlooking the ingredients and allergen information.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Fairtrade claim Look for the Fairtrade mark or an explicit mention of Fairtrade cocoa or Fairtrade chocolate on the pack you’ve chosen. If I’m choosing Fairtrade cocoa intentionally, I want to be able to link that choice to this biscuit. For around 45% of consumers, this product-specific claim comes first.
Biscuit type and serving size Compare the type of biscuit, the net weight and the stated number of servings; assess nutritional values separately. When serving coffee to guests, I want to know what kind of biscuit I’m serving and how many portions are in the pack. Around 33% of consumers prioritise the coffee occasion and serving size.
Ingredients and allergens Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the current pack, including any warnings about cross-contamination. If I need to avoid certain ingredients, the information on the pack takes priority over the cocoa claim. This check is the first priority for around 22% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking a retailer’s policy for a Fairtrade claim on the biscuit

    Albert Heijn and Lidl describe several certification schemes for their own-brand cocoa. That doesn’t mean every individual chocolate biscuit contains Fairtrade cocoa.

    If Fairtrade is a condition of your purchase, check the claim on the specific pack or product page.

  • Confusing Fairtrade with allergen information

    Chocolate biscuits made with Fairtrade cocoa can still contain allergens or carry a warning about possible cross-contamination. The cocoa claim doesn’t replace the ingredients list.

    Read the allergen information on the pack you’ll be using before buying and eating the biscuits.

  • Looking only at the fibre content

    The amount of fibre doesn’t tell you everything about a chocolate biscuit’s nutritional value. Sugar, saturated fat and serving size are all worth comparing separately.

    Check the nutritional information per 100 g and, if provided, per serving.

  • Relying on a product page you viewed earlier

    Ingredients and labelling information can change. This matters if you’re choosing based on allergens or a specific cocoa claim.

    Use online information to narrow down your options, then check the packaging of the product you buy.

Brands and retailers to compare product by product

Verkade

At Albert Heijn, the product pages for Verkade Chocorondjes, Nobo Sprits and Crunchy haverkoek mention Fairtrade cocoa or Fairtrade milk chocolate.

  • The product descriptions let you choose between a filled biscuit, a sprits biscuit and an oat biscuit.
  • Compare ingredients, nutritional values and allergens for each variety; the Fairtrade claim doesn’t describe these features.

Albert Heijn

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

  • This policy gives you a starting point for checking the cocoa claim on an own-brand product.
  • The two standards mentioned aren’t the same; check the chocolate biscuit you’ve chosen if you specifically want Fairtrade.

Lidl

Lidl describes its own-brand cocoa as coming from certified sustainable farming, including Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance and organic options.

  • The retailer’s policy helps you decide which claim to look for on an own-brand pack.
  • The policy doesn’t confirm that every individual chocolate biscuit contains Fairtrade cocoa.

ALDI

ALDI lists Fairtrade chocolate in its range and also sells chocolate biscuits.

  • You can check the product you’ve chosen specifically for a Fairtrade claim.
  • A Fairtrade claim on chocolate elsewhere in the range doesn’t automatically apply to a chocolate biscuit.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists products including Verkade Chocorondjes and Nobo Sprits in its biscuit category.

  • The product listings give you a starting point for comparing biscuit types and pack sizes.
  • Check the Fairtrade claim for each variety you choose; a category overview doesn’t confirm it for every product.

Chocolate biscuits on Joybuy

Related products to compare: Verkade Chocorondjes, Nobo Sprits and Crunchy haverkoek.

Frequently asked questions

How can I identify Fairtrade cocoa in a chocolate biscuit?

Check the packaging of the specific variety for the Fairtrade mark or an explicit mention of Fairtrade cocoa or Fairtrade chocolate. For example, Albert Heijn’s product pages mention this for Verkade Chocorondjes, Nobo Sprits and Crunchy haverkoek; check the pack when you buy it, too.

Does Fairtrade tell me anything about a biscuit’s nutritional value?

No. A Fairtrade claim for cocoa doesn’t describe the nutritional value of the whole biscuit. Compare sugar, fat and fibre per 100 g, for example, and consider what size portion you want to serve.

Where can I find the allergens in a chocolate biscuit?

Read the ingredients list and any warnings on the current packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains which allergens must be listed on the label; the allergens and warnings that are relevant vary from biscuit to biscuit.

Is a supermarket’s sustainable cocoa policy enough if I want Fairtrade?

No. A retailer’s general policy doesn’t confirm that your chosen chocolate biscuit contains Fairtrade cocoa. Albert Heijn and Lidl mention several standards for their own-brand cocoa, so check the claim on the specific product.