Who is this choice relevant to?

Easter bakers who want to check Fairtrade claims

You’re looking for flakes to decorate Easter bakes and want to be able to see on the product itself whether it mentions Fairtrade Cocoa or carries a Fairtrade mark.

Easter egg hunt organisers

You want chocolate that’s easy to hide and hand out individually. Loose flakes are better suited to decorating, while individual Easter eggs are made for finding and collecting.

Shoppers checking ingredients and allergens

You want to distinguish a vegan claim from information about milk and lactose. PLUS labels its dark flakes as vegan, but warns they may contain milk and lactose; the milk variety contains both.

What should you consider when choosing?

Decide whether the chocolate is for decorating or hiding. Then check the Fairtrade claim and, before handing anything out, read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging you’ve chosen.

What to consider What to check when buying Most relevant to
Fairtrade claim Look on the product page and packaging for Fairtrade Cocoa or a Fairtrade mark on the specific chocolate you’re choosing. If Fairtrade is a deciding factor for me, I want to be able to find the claim on the product itself rather than rely on the shop’s name. For around 42% of consumers, checking the specific product comes first.
Form of chocolate Distinguish loose flakes for decorating from individual Easter eggs to hide and hand out. If I want guests to be able to search for and collect chocolate, I need individual Easter eggs; I’d rather use flakes on food. For around 33% of consumers, choosing a format that suits the activity is the main concern.
Milk and lactose Read the ingredients, allergen information and any warning about possible traces on the packaging. When I’m giving chocolate to someone with a relevant dietary restriction, I need to look beyond a vegan claim. For around 25% of consumers, checking this comes before other considerations.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a range-wide certification applies to every product

    ALDI describes Fairtrade products in its range, but labels its Kiekeboe chocolate flakes as Rainforest Alliance certified. These are not interchangeable product claims.

    Check the flakes you’ve chosen to see whether they carry a Fairtrade Cocoa claim or a Fairtrade mark.

  • Choosing flakes for something you want to hide

    Loose chocolate flakes are designed for sprinkling or topping, not as individual treats to find during an Easter egg hunt.

    Use flakes to decorate food, and choose individual Easter eggs if you want guests to search for and collect chocolate.

  • Assuming vegan means milk-free

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

    If you have a milk allergy or another dietary restriction, check both the ingredients and the warnings on the packaging you’re buying.

  • Assuming an old product page means the item is currently available

    Albert Heijn’s product page for Fairtrade Original Dark Chocolate Flakes says ‘Discontinued’. So the page doesn’t confirm that you can buy this product now.

    Check the current product status before choosing a specific variety of flakes for your Easter plans.

Brands to consider

PLUS

PLUS lists Fairtrade Cocoa on its 300 g dark and milk chocolate flakes. Both are flakes for decorating, for example, rather than individual Easter eggs.

  • The product pages list ingredients and allergens; the dark variety is also stated to contain at least 32% cocoa solids.
  • The dark variety may contain milk and lactose, while the milk variety contains both. Check the packaging you choose.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn shows a range of flakes in its product overview. The page for Fairtrade Original Dark Chocolate Flakes 300 g says ‘Discontinued’.

  • The product overview helps you distinguish between different varieties of flakes.
  • The Fairtrade Original page mentioned doesn’t confirm that the product is currently available to buy.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists flakes in its range and has a product page for Fairtrade Original Dark Chocolate Sprinkles 380 g.

  • The sprinkles page lists ingredients, allergens and at least 32% cocoa solids.
  • Sprinkles aren’t the same as chocolate flakes, so don’t choose this product if you specifically want flakes.

Lidl

Lidl describes Favorina Easter chocolate and Easter eggs carrying a Fairtrade mark. Individual Easter eggs are a good fit for hiding and handing out.

  • The Easter egg format is well suited to an Easter egg hunt.
  • Check the mark, ingredients and allergens on the packaging you choose; the seasonal range may change.

ALDI

ALDI describes Fairtrade chocolate across its wider range. Its Kiekeboe chocolate flakes are labelled Rainforest Alliance certified.

  • The product listing makes clear which certification applies to the Kiekeboe flakes.
  • Don’t take this claim as confirmation that these flakes are Fairtrade certified.

De Ruijter

Albert Heijn and Jumbo’s product overviews show De Ruijter chocolate flakes, including dark and milk varieties.

  • You can choose between different varieties based on the product format.
  • For a Fairtrade choice, always check the claim on the specific product and packaging.

Related products at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can you hide chocolate flakes during an Easter egg hunt?

Flakes aren’t a practical substitute for individual Easter eggs, so use them as a topping or decoration instead. If guests are meant to find and collect chocolate, choose Easter eggs and check the Fairtrade mark on the packaging you’ve selected.

Are dark Fairtrade flakes suitable for someone with a milk allergy?

Don’t assume they are just because they’re labelled ‘dark’ or ‘vegan’. PLUS’s product page says its dark Fairtrade chocolate flakes may contain milk and lactose. Before giving them to someone with a milk allergy, read the allergen information and any warnings on the current packaging.

Are PLUS Fairtrade milk chocolate flakes vegan or lactose-free?

No. According to PLUS’s product information, the milk variety contains whole milk powder and lactose. Check the packaging of the variety you choose when buying.

How should you store chocolate flakes after Easter?

Seal the packaging well and follow the storage advice and best-before date on the pack. PLUS recommends storing its chocolate flakes in a cool, dry, dark place.