If Fairtrade cocoa comes first
You’re looking for loose chocolate flakes for film night, but will only choose them if the pack clearly states that the cocoa or product is Fairtrade. Availability may vary from one retailer to another.
Who is this choice relevant to?
If you want to compare shapes
You want to decide whether flakes or chocolate sprinkles are better suited to your snack break, without treating the two product shapes as the same thing.
If you need to check the label
Before buying, you check the ingredients and allergens, including any mention of milk or lactose. The information on the current pack is important, especially if you’re sharing the snack.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether you need both flakes and an explicit Fairtrade cocoa claim. If you’re happy to compromise on either, you could also consider standard flakes or Fairtrade chocolate sprinkles. Then check the packaging and availability of the option you choose.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is it important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade cocoa and flakes | Read the exact Fairtrade claim on the product page and pack, and check that the product is flakes. | If I specifically want flakes made with Fairtrade cocoa, I won’t choose a pack without a clear claim. This combination is the top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Availability and comparison | Check the current ordering status and compare packs on a like-for-like weight basis. | If I need the flakes for a planned film night, I want to know whether my chosen pack is available and how the different packs compare. Around 33% of consumers give this the highest priority. |
| Shape and label | Compare flakes with chocolate sprinkles as an alternative, and read the ingredients, allergens and storage advice on the pack. | When I’m sharing with others, I want to choose a suitable product shape and check the ingredients and allergens in advance. This is the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming the brand name means a Fairtrade claim
A retailer’s range or a well-known brand name doesn’t tell you whether the particular pack you’ve chosen contains Fairtrade cocoa. Milieu Centraal also explains that a Fairtrade logo on a white background may refer to a certified ingredient, not necessarily the whole product.
Read the claim for the specific product and check which part of it the certification applies to on the pack.
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Treating an old product page as a current purchase option
Albert Heijn marks its page for the 300 g pack of Fairtrade Original Dark Chocolate Flakes as ‘Discontinued’. So, finding a product page doesn’t necessarily mean you can order that pack.
Before buying, check the current ordering status and local availability of the product you want.
A wasted trip to the shop could mean having to choose a different snack after all.
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Assuming ‘vegan’ or ‘dark’ means milk-free
PLUS describes its dark Fairtrade flakes as vegan, but also says they may contain milk and lactose. Fairtrade Original also warns that its dark chocolate sprinkles may contain milk.
If you need to avoid milk, read the current ingredients and allergen information on the pack before sharing the product.
Brands and retailers to compare
Use these brands and retailers to compare specific flakes with an alternative in the form of chocolate sprinkles. A mention here doesn’t, in itself, tell you anything about the Fairtrade status or availability of another product from the same brand.
PLUS
Worth considering if you’re specifically looking for dark chocolate flakes with an explicit Fairtrade cocoa claim.
- PLUS lists its dark Fairtrade chocolate flakes as a 300 g pack with at least 32% cocoa solids.
- According to PLUS, the product may contain milk and lactose. Check the current packaging and availability at your retailer.
Fairtrade Original
An option to consider if you’re happy with chocolate sprinkles instead of flakes.
- The product page for its dark chocolate sprinkles lists a 380 g pack with at least 32% cocoa solids.
- Chocolate sprinkles aren’t flakes. Fairtrade Original says its sprinkles may contain milk.
Albert Heijn
A useful reference for comparing standard flakes and checking the ordering status of a specific Fairtrade option.
- Albert Heijn lists flakes from brands including its own label and De Ruijter.
- The page for the 300 g pack of Fairtrade Original Dark Chocolate Flakes is marked ‘Discontinued’.
Jumbo
A useful reference for comparing standard chocolate flakes with Fairtrade chocolate sprinkles in a different shape.
- Jumbo lists, among other products, its own-brand dark and milk chocolate flakes, as well as Fairtrade Original dark chocolate sprinkles.
- Don’t assume a specific standard product is Fairtrade just because it appears in a general flakes listing; check the pack in question.
De Ruijter
A brand to compare standard flakes with products carrying an explicit Fairtrade claim.
- Albert Heijn lists De Ruijter flakes in dark, milk, white and extra-dark varieties, among others.
- Check each pack for a Fairtrade claim; the brand name alone doesn’t tell you whether it’s there.
Flakes for film night on Joybuy
These are standard flakes to consider as a snack for film night. If Fairtrade cocoa is a must for you, first check the current claim on the packaging of the product you choose.
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g'woon Milk Chocolate Flakes 300 g
For a film night when standard milk chocolate flakes will do. Check the pack for a Fairtrade claim and read the allergen information before sharing the flakes.
Size: 300 g.
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Sprinkles Choca Flakes 200 g
For anyone looking for flakes as a film-night snack without assuming the product is Fairtrade. Check the current pack for a Fairtrade claim and allergen information, including any mention of milk.
Size: 200 g.
Frequently asked questions
Which dark Fairtrade chocolate flakes can I consider for film night?
PLUS lists Dark Chocolate Flakes Fairtrade in a 300 g pack, with a Fairtrade Cocoa claim and at least 32% cocoa solids. Before buying, check the current packaging and availability at your retailer.
Can I rely on an old page for Fairtrade flakes?
Not without checking the ordering status again: Albert Heijn marks the 300 g pack of Fairtrade Original Dark Chocolate Flakes as ‘Discontinued’. Look for a current product listing and check the pack of the product you’re actually buying.
Does a Fairtrade logo mean the whole chocolate product is certified?
Not necessarily. According to Milieu Centraal, a Fairtrade logo on a white background may refer to one certified ingredient rather than the whole product. So check exactly what the claim says about the cocoa or the product.
What allergen information should I check if I’m sharing the flakes?
Read the allergen information on the current pack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergens must be listed on the labels of prepacked foods; PLUS warns that its dark Fairtrade flakes may contain milk and lactose.