The host who puts Fairtrade first
Wants to choose chocolate flakes for the get-together with a verifiable Fairtrade claim for the cocoa in that specific product.
Who are these flakes for?
The host who wants to serve dark flakes
Is looking for flakes with a rich chocolate flavour to sprinkle on bread or a dessert, and checks separately whether the chosen pack meets their Fairtrade requirements.
The shopper buying for a group
Checks the pack size to buy enough flakes for the planned treats, without overlooking the Fairtrade claim on the final choice.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether Fairtrade cocoa is a must-have; then compare the flavour and the quantity you need for the get-together. If you’re serving guests, check the label on the pack you actually buy too.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade cocoa | Look for a specific Fairtrade claim for the cocoa on the pack you’ve chosen or its current product page; a retailer-wide programme isn’t enough. | If I want to serve Fairtrade cocoa at the get-together, I need to be able to find the claim on the flakes I’ve chosen. For around 44% of consumers, this would be their top purchasing priority. |
| Flavour and presentation | Choose dark, milk or another listed variety to suit what you’re serving; don’t judge the flavour by the cocoa percentage alone. | For bread or a dessert, I want to choose flakes that match the flavour I’d like to offer my guests. This would be the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Pack size | Compare the net weight with the number of planned servings, and check that the variety you want is available. | If I’m buying for a group, I want enough flakes without ending up with lots left over. For around 23% of consumers, the quantity needed would be the main consideration. |
Common mistakes when buying Fairtrade flakes
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Confusing a Fairtrade programme with a product claim
ALDI and Lidl describe Fairtrade chocolate in their ranges or programmes. That doesn’t automatically make every pack of chocolate flakes a Fairtrade product.
Check the Fairtrade claim on the flakes you want to buy, not just on a general page from the retailer.
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Planning your get-together around an old product page
Albert Heijn listed Fairtrade Original Dark Chocolate Flakes, 300 g, as discontinued. An old product listing therefore doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be able to buy the flakes for your get-together.
Check shortly before buying whether the variety you want is available and whether any alternative has its own specific Fairtrade claim.
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Assuming dark flakes are Fairtrade flakes
‘Dark’ describes the type of chocolate, not the origin or certification of the cocoa.
If Fairtrade is a must-have for you, first choose a variety with a verifiable Fairtrade claim; then compare the flavours.
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Relying on outdated allergen information for guests
Ingredients and allergen information can change. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights the importance of allergen information on the label.
Read the label on the pack you’ve bought before serving, especially if guests ask about allergens.
Brands and retailers to consider
A Fairtrade claim for chocolate across a range isn’t the same as a Fairtrade claim for the flakes you choose.
Fairtrade Original
Albert Heijn described Fairtrade Original Dark Chocolate Flakes as a 300 g pack containing 33% cocoa, with cocoa sourced entirely from Fairtrade farmers in Africa, according to the product page.
- The product page linked the origin claim to this specific variety of flakes.
- Albert Heijn marked this variety as discontinued; check whether you can buy a current pack before planning to use it.
Jumbo
Jumbo listed its own-brand chocolate flakes in dark, milk and duo varieties, in 300 g packs.
- The stated pack size helps you plan how much you’ll need.
- Don’t assume these standard varieties contain Fairtrade cocoa based on the flavour name; check for a claim on the pack you choose.
ALDI
ALDI describes Fairtrade chocolate in its range. This may be useful if you’re also considering a chocolate product other than flakes.
- The retailer provides information about Fairtrade chocolate products.
- The listing for chocolate-flavoured Special Flakes refers to breakfast cereal, not chocolate flakes for bread or as a topping.
Lidl
Lidl describes a partnership with Fairtrade for its Way To Go chocolate products.
- If you’re happy with a different type of chocolate, Way To Go offers a specific range to explore product by product.
- Information about chocolate bars doesn’t substantiate a Fairtrade claim for Lidl chocolate flakes; check the product itself separately.
Chocolate flakes at Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
How can I identify Fairtrade cocoa in chocolate flakes?
Check that the current pack or product page links the Fairtrade claim to the cocoa in those specific flakes. A supermarket’s general Fairtrade page doesn’t automatically tell you anything about the product you want to serve.
Are dark chocolate flakes automatically Fairtrade?
No. ‘Dark’ describes the type of chocolate and doesn’t confirm that the cocoa is Fairtrade. Check the origin claim and the flavour separately on the pack you choose.
Which allergen information should I use when serving flakes to guests?
Use the allergen information on the label of the pack you’ve bought. Ingredients and product information can change, so an older image or product description isn’t a substitute for the label.
Can I still buy Fairtrade Original Dark Chocolate Flakes for my get-together?
Check again before planning your get-together around them: Albert Heijn marked the 300 g variety described as discontinued. Only choose an alternative once you’ve checked that the pack is available and that the product has a Fairtrade claim.