People avoiding milk or lactose
For you, it’s not just a matter of whether milk is listed as an ingredient. A warning that the product may contain milk or lactose is also important when checking the packaging.
Who is this choice relevant to?
People looking for Fairtrade cocoa
You’ll want to check the Fairtrade mark on the specific product, without confusing it with information about ingredients or allergens.
People who are happy to consider chocolate sprinkles too
If you’re flexible about the type of topping, you can look at chocolate sprinkles as well as flakes. They’re a different product, with their own ingredients list and allergen warning.
What should you look for when choosing?
When choosing Fairtrade chocolate flakes, first check what you need to avoid by reading both the ingredients and the warnings on the packaging. Then check whether the Fairtrade mark and the type of topping match what you’re looking for.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Possible presence of milk or lactose | As well as the ingredients list, read warnings such as ‘may contain milk and lactose’. PLUS includes this type of warning on its dark Fairtrade flakes. | If I need to avoid milk, I also want to know whether there’s a warning about its possible presence on dark flakes. For around 42% of consumers with this shopping concern, this check comes first. |
| Another allergen to avoid | Check the specific allergen against the ingredients and any warnings on the packaging; don’t judge by the product name alone. | If I need to avoid another allergen, I need to be able to check what the label says about it. Around 33% of consumers give this specific check top priority. |
| Fairtrade cocoa and product type | Check the Fairtrade mark on the product itself and distinguish between chocolate flakes and chocolate sprinkles. | I’m looking for Fairtrade cocoa in flakes and don’t want to end up choosing a different type of topping by mistake. For around 25% of consumers, this combination is the main priority, alongside checking allergens. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘dark’ or ‘vegan’ means milk-free
PLUS describes its dark Fairtrade flakes as vegan, but also warns that they may contain milk and lactose.
Read the ingredients and the warning on the packaging before deciding whether the product meets your requirements.
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Assuming milk chocolate flakes are a lactose-free alternative
PLUS’s milk variety contains whole milk powder; PLUS lists milk and lactose in its allergen information.
Don’t consider this variety if you need to avoid milk or lactose.
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Confusing Fairtrade with another certification
ALDI says that Kiekeboe chocolate flakes are Rainforest Alliance-certified. This is not the same as the Fairtrade Cacao mark on the PLUS flakes mentioned here, and it says nothing about whether the product is suitable for people with allergies.
Check the certification, product type and allergen information separately.
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Treating online product information as definitive
Ingredients and allergen information can change. If you need to avoid an ingredient, it’s important to check the information on the packaging you receive.
Read the label again every time you buy the product, even if you’ve checked it before.
Relevant brands to compare
PLUS
PLUS says its 300 g dark and milk chocolate flakes carry the Fairtrade Cacao mark. Which variety may be suitable also depends on its ingredients and warnings.
- PLUS’s ingredients list for the dark variety does not include milk as an ingredient.
- According to PLUS, this dark variety may contain milk and lactose; the milk variety contains whole milk powder.
Fairtrade Original
Fairtrade Original Dark Chocolate Sprinkles, 380 g, are an option to compare if chocolate sprinkles rather than chocolate flakes are right for you.
- Fairtrade Original lists the ingredients and allergen information on the product page.
- This is a chocolate sprinkles product, not flakes, and it carries the warning ‘may contain milk’.
Kiekeboe (ALDI)
ALDI says that Kiekeboe chocolate flakes are Rainforest Alliance-certified. This is not the same as the Fairtrade Cacao mark.
- Don’t assume that the certification means the product carries a Fairtrade mark or is suitable for someone with an allergy; check the specific product and label.
Related products on Joybuy
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Are PLUS Dark Fairtrade Chocolate Flakes suitable for someone with a milk allergy?
The word ‘dark’ doesn’t confirm this: PLUS doesn’t list milk as an ingredient, but does state ‘May contain MILK and LACTOSE’. Read the warning on the packaging before deciding whether the product is suitable.
Are PLUS Milk Fairtrade Chocolate Flakes a lactose-free alternative?
No. PLUS lists whole milk powder as an ingredient and includes milk and lactose in its allergen information.
Can I rely on ‘vegan’ or ‘dark’ when choosing chocolate flakes?
No, these descriptions don’t replace the ingredients list and allergen warnings. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are listed in ingredients; you should also check for warnings about their possible presence.
What does ‘may contain’ mean on a Dutch label?
It’s a warning that the allergen may be present due to cross-contamination, not a statement that it has been added as an ingredient. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that, since 1 January 2026, rules in the Netherlands have governed how and when manufacturers warn about this type of cross-contamination. Take the specific warning on the packaging into account when making your choice.