Looking for chocolate flakes made with Fairtrade cocoa to enjoy with your coffee? First check that the specific variety you choose carries the Fairtrade label, then decide between dark and milk chocolate. PLUS describes its dark variety as vegan, while warning that it may contain milk and lactose; its milk variety contains milk. Fairtrade says nothing about nutritional value, so check the ingredients too, along with how much you use.
You want to serve chocolate flakes with your coffee and are looking for a clear Fairtrade label on the cocoa. PLUS labels both its dark and milk varieties Fairtrade Cocoa; a different sustainability certification is not the same thing.
You’re looking for a dark variety that doesn’t contain milk as an ingredient. PLUS describes its dark Fairtrade flakes as vegan, but also warns that they may contain milk and lactose. If you have an allergy, always follow the allergen information on the packaging.
You’re choosing between dark and milk chocolate flakes to enjoy with your coffee, and want to check the nutritional information and how much you use. Compare the figures for the exact varieties on the same basis, such as per 100 g.
Start by checking the Fairtrade label on the exact product. Then choose your preferred variety and check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information that matter for your coffee break.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade cocoa | Look for a clear Fairtrade label for your chosen variety on the product page and packaging. PLUS uses the label Fairtrade Cocoa. | If I specifically want Fairtrade cocoa, a general sustainability claim isn’t enough. For around 46% of consumers, confidence in that label comes first. |
| Dark or milk | Check the variety name and ingredients: PLUS states that its dark variety contains at least 32% cocoa solids, while its milk variety contains at least 20% and includes whole milk powder. | With my coffee, I want to choose between dark and milk chocolate. Around 27% of consumers give this choice of flavour top priority. |
| Ingredients and portion size | Read the allergen information on the exact product and compare sugars and saturated fat on the same basis, per 100 g or per serving. | If I need to avoid milk or want to keep track of how many flakes I use, I read more than just the front of the pack. Allergens and portion size come first for around 27% of consumers. |
Albert Heijn says that its De Ruijter Dark Chocolate Flakes are made with Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa. PLUS labels both its dark and milk varieties Fairtrade Cocoa. If Fairtrade is a must-have, these labels are not interchangeable.
Check the certification on the specific product rather than relying on a general sustainability description.
PLUS describes its dark Fairtrade flakes as vegan, but also states that they may contain milk and lactose. This warning matters if you need to avoid an allergen.
If you have an allergy, check the latest allergen information on the packaging; don’t rely on the vegan label instead.
Fairtrade relates to the cocoa, not the amount of sugar or saturated fat in the flakes. Per 100 g, PLUS lists 63.8 g of sugars and 9.4 g of saturated fat for its dark variety, and 67.1 g of sugars and 10.6 g of saturated fat for its milk variety.
Compare the nutritional information on the same basis, then decide separately how many flakes to have with your coffee.
Albert Heijn marks its listing for Fairtrade Original Dark Chocolate Flakes 300 g as discontinued. A listing like this doesn’t tell you whether you can buy those flakes there now.
Check availability just before buying, and look at the labels on the packaging of the variety you choose.
PLUS lists both Dark Chocolate Flakes Fairtrade 300 g and Milk Chocolate Flakes Fairtrade 300 g online, both labelled Fairtrade Cocoa.
Jumbo lists Fairtrade Original Dark Chocolate Sprinkles 380 g. Chocolate sprinkles are a different product category from chocolate flakes.
Albert Heijn says that its De Ruijter Dark Chocolate Flakes 200 g are made with Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa.
Lidl mentions Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance and organic certification in its own-brand cocoa policy.
Look for a clear Fairtrade cocoa label on the packaging of the exact variety. PLUS uses the Fairtrade Cocoa label on its dark and milk chocolate flakes; a Rainforest Alliance label is not the same thing.
Choose the variety that suits your taste and ingredient preferences. PLUS describes its dark Fairtrade flakes as vegan, but warns that they may contain milk and lactose; the milk variety contains whole milk powder.
No. PLUS describes its dark variety as vegan and also warns that it may contain milk and lactose. If you have an allergy, always read the label on the product you’re buying.
The Fairtrade cocoa label doesn’t tell you how much sugar or fat the chocolate flakes contain. Check the nutritional information for your chosen variety, for example per 100 g, and bear in mind how much you use.
Store the dark and milk varieties in a cool, dry, dark place, as stated in PLUS’s product information. Also check the storage advice on the packaging you buy.
