Who is this choice important to?

Shoppers for whom Fairtrade is a must

You want to be able to check the Fairtrade status of the exact pack of flakes you choose. A shop’s general statement about sustainable cocoa isn’t enough.

Christmas breakfast or brunch hosts

You’re looking for flakes to sprinkle over bread, yoghurt, porridge or baked treats, and want to weigh up the flavour and product type alongside the certification you’re looking for.

Households mindful of allergens

You need to check the ingredients and allergen information for the variety you choose before buying, even if you’re already familiar with a similar product.

What should you look for in Fairtrade flakes for Christmas?

Start by checking the Fairtrade information on the pack you’ve chosen. Then make sure the flakes suit your Christmas menu, ingredient requirements and when you need them.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Fairtrade status Check the current packaging or product page for the Fairtrade mark or an explicit statement that the cocoa in these flakes is Fairtrade. If Fairtrade is my main requirement, I want certainty about the pack I’m buying, not just the shop’s policy. For around 42% of consumers, certainty about certification comes first.
Flavour and flake shape Make sure they’re actually flakes and that the stated flavour and net weight suit how you plan to use them. For my Christmas breakfast, I want chocolate I can sprinkle that works with what I’m serving. The product type and flavour are the main concern for around 25% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current ingredients list and allergen information for the specific variety. If someone at the table needs to avoid an ingredient, I want to be able to check the pack I’ve chosen before buying. For around 17% of consumers, this matters more than any other factor.
Availability Check the current range or stock status before planning to use the flakes in your Christmas menu. If I need the flakes for a planned breakfast, I want to know whether I can get that particular variety. Availability is the main concern for around 16% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a shop’s policy applies to the certification on every pack

    PLUS says that the cocoa in its own-brand products is Fairtrade-certified. ALDI and Lidl also mention other certification schemes for their own-brand cocoa. A statement from a shop doesn’t necessarily tell you which certification is on the flakes you want to buy.

    Use the policy to guide your search, then check the current packaging or product page for the specific item.

  • Assuming a product page means the item is currently available to buy

    Albert Heijn states that Fairtrade Original Dark Chocolate Flakes 300 g has been discontinued. The Fairtrade information on the page doesn’t make it an available choice for your Christmas breakfast.

    As well as checking the certification, check the current range or stock status.

  • Confusing Rainforest Alliance with Fairtrade

    Joybuy describes De Ruijter Vlokkenfeest as a product made with Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa. That’s not the same certification as Fairtrade.

    If Fairtrade is a must for you, check which certification is listed for the variety you choose.

  • Checking allergens only after you’ve bought the product

    The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be clearly identified in the ingredients list on the label. The ingredients in a different flavour or variety are no substitute for checking the pack you’ve chosen.

    Before buying, read the current ingredients list and allergen information for that exact pack.

Brands and shops to consider

Fairtrade Original

A specific variety of flakes to consider as an example of product-specific Fairtrade information.

  • For Fairtrade Original Dark Chocolate Flakes 300 g, Albert Heijn states that the cocoa comes from Fairtrade farmers in Africa.
  • Albert Heijn marks this product as discontinued, so the page doesn’t confirm it’s currently available to buy.

PLUS

An own-brand option to look into if you come across flakes containing cocoa.

  • PLUS says all the cocoa in its own-brand products has been Fairtrade-certified since 2020, and specifically mentions chocolate sprinkles.
  • Chocolate sprinkles aren’t the same as flakes. Check the product type and the information on the specific pack.

Lidl

A shop to consider if you’re also open to a different type of chocolate for Christmas.

  • Lidl lists Fairtrade as one of the certifications used for cocoa in its own-brand products.
  • Lidl also mentions Rainforest Alliance and organic certification. Check the certification and product type for the item you choose separately.

ALDI

An option to consider if Christmas chocolate that isn’t in flake form would also work for you.

  • ALDI says its seasonal chocolate, including its Christmas range, is Fairtrade-certified.
  • That statement doesn’t confirm that a specific item is chocolate flakes. For its other own-brand cocoa, ALDI also mentions different certifications.

De Ruijter

A brand of flakes to assess by product type and certification for each variety.

  • Joybuy describes Vlokkenfeest as suitable for sprinkling over bread, yoghurt and porridge, among other things.
  • For Vlokkenfeest, Joybuy lists Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa, not Fairtrade.

Related products at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I check whether chocolate flakes are Fairtrade?

Check the current pack or product page to see whether the Fairtrade mark or an explicit statement about Fairtrade cocoa applies to that exact variety of flakes. Fairtrade International has its own standard for cocoa; a general statement about sustainable cocoa doesn’t identify the certification for the product you’ve chosen.

Is certified sustainable cocoa always Fairtrade cocoa?

No. As well as Fairtrade, ALDI and Lidl mention Rainforest Alliance or organic certification for cocoa in their ranges. So check the certification information for the individual item.

Can I still buy Fairtrade Original Dark Chocolate Flakes 300 g for Christmas?

Albert Heijn’s product page lists Fairtrade Original Dark Chocolate Flakes 300 g as discontinued. Check the current range or shop information before counting on this variety.

What should I check if allergens are a concern?

Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the current packaging for the flakes you’ve chosen. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens must be clearly listed in the ingredients list. Check each variety separately.

Are De Ruijter Vlokkenfeest flakes Fairtrade?

Joybuy lists Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa for De Ruijter Vlokkenfeest. If you’re specifically looking for Fairtrade flakes, that information doesn’t confirm that this variety meets your requirement.