Who are these options for?

The Fairtrade-focused shopper

You want to add chocolate flakes to your first grocery shop, but only if the product you choose is labelled Fairtrade or Fairtrade Cocoa. A certification on other products from the same brand isn’t enough.

The dark chocolate flakes fan

You’re specifically looking for the dark variety and comparing the stated cocoa content and ingredients. Even if you choose dark chocolate, it’s still important to check for any warning about milk and lactose.

The shopper checking allergens and nutrition information

You’re shopping for a new household and want to know whether a variety contains or may contain milk and lactose. You’ll also check the nutritional information on the packaging and consider how much you use.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by checking the Fairtrade label on the specific product. Then compare the dark and milk varieties for ingredients and allergens, and decide which pack size and serving amount suit your shop.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Fairtrade label Look for Fairtrade or Fairtrade Cocoa on both the product page and the current packaging. Fairtrade International explains that mass balance is permitted for cocoa; read the certification guidance if physical separation in the supply chain matters to you. I want to be sure that the Fairtrade label applies to these particular chocolate flakes. Around 50% of consumers prioritise this product-specific label.
Variety and allergens Compare the ingredients and allergen information for the dark and milk varieties. PLUS states that the dark variety may contain milk and lactose; the milk variety contains milk and lactose. If milk is a concern for my household, I don’t want to rely on the word ‘dark’ alone. The variety and allergen information come first for around 30% of consumers.
Pack size and use Check the pack size and read the nutritional information per 100 g, including sugars and saturated fat. Both the dark and milk varieties from PLUS mentioned here come in 300 g packs. For my first stock-up, I want to know how much I’m buying and how I’ll use the spread. This practical consideration matters most to around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking another certification for Fairtrade

    Jumbo labels its own-brand dark flakes Rainforest Alliance Certified, while the PLUS varieties mentioned here are labelled Fairtrade Cocoa. These labels aren’t interchangeable if you’re specifically looking for Fairtrade cocoa.

    Check the certification on the product you’re actually choosing, not just on a brand or category page.

  • Assuming dark flakes can’t contain milk

    According to the product information, PLUS’s dark Fairtrade chocolate flakes may contain milk and lactose. The milk variety contains milk and lactose.

    If you have a relevant allergy or intolerance, read the current ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging. Don’t decide based on the variety name alone.

  • Confusing Fairtrade with a nutritional claim

    Fairtrade Cocoa describes the cocoa certification, not the nutritional profile. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre does not include chocolate bread toppings in its Wheel of Five.

    Consider the certification and nutritional information separately, and check the label for values per 100 g and the amount you use.

  • Treating an old product listing as a shopping option

    Albert Heijn’s product page for Fairtrade Original dark chocolate flakes says ‘Discontinued’. This doesn’t confirm that you can buy the product as part of your first grocery shop.

    Before buying, check that the product you want is actually available and that its packaging still meets your Fairtrade requirement.

Brands to consider

PLUS

PLUS product information lists Fairtrade Cocoa for both its 300 g dark and milk chocolate flakes.

  • The product pages list ingredients, allergens and nutritional values, so you can assess each variety separately.
  • Check the current packaging: the dark variety may contain milk and lactose, while the milk variety contains milk and lactose.

Fairtrade Original

Albert Heijn has a product listing for 300 g Fairtrade Original dark chocolate flakes.

  • The listing states that the product contains 33% cocoa and uses cocoa from Fairtrade farmers.
  • The same page says ‘Discontinued’, so check availability before adding this product to your shopping list.

Jumbo

Jumbo Dark Chocolate Flakes, 300 g, offer a point of comparison if you’re also considering other certifications.

  • The product information lists ingredients, allergens and nutritional values.
  • The cocoa is labelled Rainforest Alliance Certified. This isn’t a Fairtrade label if you specifically require Fairtrade cocoa.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I check whether chocolate flakes meet my Fairtrade preference?

Look for Fairtrade or Fairtrade Cocoa on the specific product, then check the label again on the packaging. Fairtrade International explains that mass balance is permitted for cocoa: Fairtrade and non-Fairtrade cocoa can be mixed during processing, while the volumes sold as Fairtrade are tracked. Read the certification guidance if physical traceability is a requirement for you.

What’s the difference between PLUS’s dark and milk flakes?

PLUS’s dark Fairtrade variety states that it contains at least 32% cocoa solids and may contain milk and lactose; the milk variety states that it contains at least 20% cocoa solids and contains milk and lactose. These cocoa percentages describe the products, but don’t determine which one you’ll prefer the taste of.

Does the Fairtrade label make chocolate flakes suitable as an everyday spread?

No, the Fairtrade label doesn’t change the nutritional value. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre doesn’t include chocolate bread toppings in its Wheel of Five and advises against eating them too much or too often. For your own choice, also check the nutritional information and how much you use.

Where can I find allergen information before use?

Check the ingredients list and allergen information on the current packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergens must be clearly shown on the labels of pre-packed foods. For these PLUS varieties, pay particular attention to the difference between ‘may contain milk and lactose’ on the dark variety and ‘contains milk and lactose’ on the milk variety.