Who is this relevant for?

Students specifically looking for Fairtrade

You’re stocking your first cupboard and want to see a clear Fairtrade label on the chocolate flakes you choose, rather than just a general sustainability certification.

Students planning their food cupboard

You’re looking for a topping for your bread in your new room and want to know how much is in each pack. It also matters whether you’re looking for chocolate flakes or would be happy with chocolate sprinkles.

Shoppers checking ingredients and allergens

You want to compare dark and milk chocolate on more than just taste. If you avoid milk, it’s particularly important to check the ingredients and possible allergen information on the current packaging.

What should you look for?

First, choose the certification and product type you’re actually looking for. Then compare the packaging, ingredients and nutritional information for the exact version.

What to consider What to check before buying Who is this important to?
Fairtrade label Look for Fairtrade or Fairtrade Cacao on the packaging of the exact product. Rainforest Alliance is a different certification. If I want to buy Fairtrade cocoa, I need to be able to identify the certification on the pack of flakes I choose. This check comes first for around 42% of consumers.
Packaging and product type Check the pack weight and make sure it contains chocolate flakes, not chocolate sprinkles. When stocking my first cupboard, I want to know how much bread topping I’m buying and whether I’m actually taking home flakes. For around 33% of consumers, this is the main consideration.
Milk and lactose Read the current ingredients and allergen information. PLUS dark chocolate flakes are labelled vegan, but may contain milk and lactose; the milk version contains milk powder. If I need to avoid milk, a label such as dark or vegan isn’t enough to assess the risk of allergens. This check is the deciding factor for around 17% of consumers.
Taste and nutritional information Compare the dark and milk versions by checking the ingredients and the listed sugars and saturated fats per 100 g. If both versions otherwise suit my needs, I want to choose the taste I prefer and know what’s in a portion. For around 8% of consumers, this comparison is the main priority.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing Rainforest Alliance with Fairtrade

    ALDI lists Rainforest Alliance certification for Kiekeboe chocolate flakes. This label doesn’t confirm that the flakes are Fairtrade-certified.

    Is Fairtrade a requirement for your purchase? Check the label on the exact pack before choosing another certification as an alternative.

  • Buying chocolate sprinkles when you’re looking for flakes

    Fairtrade Original dark chocolate sprinkles are a different product type from chocolate flakes. A suitable certification alone doesn’t make these products interchangeable.

    Decide whether you’d also be happy with chocolate sprinkles, then check the certification for the product type you’ve chosen.

  • Relying on ‘dark’ or ‘vegan’ if you have a milk allergy

    PLUS labels its dark Fairtrade flakes as vegan, but also states that they may contain milk and lactose. The milk version contains milk powder.

    If you have an allergy, always check the allergen information on the packaging of the product you’re buying.

  • Assuming Fairtrade is a nutritional claim

    A Fairtrade label doesn’t tell you how much sugar or fat the chocolate flakes contain.

    Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and consider the portion you use, separately from your choice of certification.

Brands to consider

PLUS

PLUS lists Fairtrade Cacao on its 300 g packs of dark and milk chocolate flakes.

  • The dark version is labelled vegan.
  • The dark version may contain milk and lactose; the milk version contains milk powder. Check the current packaging before buying.

Fairtrade Original

The 380 g pack of dark chocolate sprinkles is worth considering if you’re also thinking about buying sprinkles instead of flakes.

  • Fairtrade Original’s product information states that these sprinkles contain at least 32% cocoa solids.
  • Chocolate sprinkles aren’t the same as chocolate flakes, so check the product type before choosing.

Albert Heijn

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

  • Albert Heijn’s explanation helps you understand the difference between the two certifications.
  • For a specific own-brand pack of flakes, check which certification is listed for that version.

Jumbo

Jumbo sells dark and milk chocolate flakes, and also lists Fairtrade Original dark chocolate sprinkles.

  • You can look at the two product types separately.
  • Don’t assume a version of chocolate flakes is Fairtrade-certified just because another product has Fairtrade in its name.

ALDI / Kiekeboe

ALDI lists Rainforest Alliance certification for Kiekeboe milk and dark chocolate flakes in 300 g packs.

  • These flakes offer an option with a stated sustainability certification.
  • Rainforest Alliance certification doesn’t prove that the version you choose is Fairtrade-certified.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are both the dark and milk chocolate flakes from PLUS Fairtrade?

PLUS lists Fairtrade Cacao on both the 300 g dark and milk versions. When buying, also check the label on the packaging of the version you choose.

Is Rainforest Alliance the same as Fairtrade?

No, they are different certifications. According to Albert Heijn’s explanation, Fairtrade includes a minimum price when world market prices are low, as well as an extra payment for farmers. A Rainforest Alliance label, on its own, doesn’t confirm Fairtrade certification.

Can I choose PLUS’s dark Fairtrade flakes if I avoid milk?

It depends on why you avoid milk. PLUS labels the dark version as vegan, but says it may contain milk and lactose. This potential presence is important if you have a milk allergy, so check the current packaging. The milk version contains milk powder.

How should I store chocolate flakes in my student room?

Store PLUS flakes in a cool, dry, dark place, as stated in the product information. Keep them away from radiators, direct sunlight and damp.

Does Fairtrade tell me anything about the nutritional value of chocolate flakes?

No, the Fairtrade label isn’t a nutritional claim. Check the nutritional information for the flakes you choose, including sugars and fats per 100 g, and bear in mind the portion you use.