Who is this choice relevant to?

Hotel buyer with a Fairtrade requirement

You want to be able to check the Fairtrade statement on the flakes you actually buy, not just rely on a brand message. PLUS lists Fairtrade Cocoa for its 300 g dark chocolate flakes.

Hotel team offering self-service

You want to put the flakes in a bowl or dispenser next to the coffee. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, consumers must be given allergen information for unpackaged foods in another way.

Manager of a small hotel stockroom

You’re looking for a type of flakes that can be stored as directed on the packaging and reordered. PLUS says its flakes should be stored in a cool, dry and dark place; Albert Heijn states that the Fairtrade Original flakes are no longer in its range.

What should you look for when buying?

First check the certification on the exact type of flakes, then decide how you’ll manage allergen information and stock for your chosen serving method.

Point to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Fairtrade statement Check the statement on the exact product variant and the packaging you receive. Another cocoa certification is not the same as Fairtrade. If Fairtrade is a purchasing requirement, I want to be able to find it on the flakes I’ve chosen; around 40% of consumers give this check priority.
Allergens and serving Read the label whenever you change products. If you serve the flakes unpackaged, make sure guests can get allergen information. If I’m using a bowl or dispenser, I want to be able to tell guests about allergens; this serving consideration comes first for around 30% of consumers.
Stock and use Check availability, the best-before date and storage instructions. Choose flakes as a topping, not as a substitute for instant chocolate drink. For a permanent coffee station, I want to know whether the flakes can be reordered and stored properly; this is the main concern for around 30% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing another cocoa certification with Fairtrade

    Jumbo lists Rainforest Alliance Certified for its 300 g dark chocolate flakes. This does not confirm that these flakes meet a purchasing requirement that specifically calls for Fairtrade.

    Set out which certification you need and check the statement on the exact packaging.

  • Throwing away the packaging without keeping the allergen information

    Guests still need allergen information when flakes are served unpackaged. PLUS also states that its dark Fairtrade flakes may contain milk and lactose.

    Keep the current product information available at the coffee station, and update it if the product variant or supplier changes.

  • Choosing a discontinued product variant for regular orders

    Albert Heijn states that its 300 g Fairtrade Original dark chocolate flakes are no longer in its range. This does not tell you whether other sellers may still have stock.

    Before adding the exact product variant to a permanent hotel set-up, confirm that your supplier will continue to stock it.

  • Confusing flakes with an instant chocolate drink

    Chocolate flakes work as a sprinkle or topping alongside coffee. They don’t serve the same purpose as a product designed to make a hot chocolate drink.

    Before buying, decide whether you want a topping or an instant drink.

Brands to compare

PLUS

PLUS lists Fairtrade Cocoa for its 300 g dark Fairtrade chocolate flakes.

  • The product information includes storage advice: keep in a cool, dry and dark place.
  • The flakes may contain milk and lactose, so don’t present them as milk-free or lactose-free.

Fairtrade Original

Albert Heijn describes its 300 g dark chocolate flakes as being made with cocoa from Fairtrade farmers.

  • The product page states that this type of flakes contains 33% cocoa.
  • Albert Heijn states that this product variant is no longer in its range. The chocolate sprinkles from the same brand are a different product type.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers 300 g dark chocolate flakes.

  • The product information states that the cocoa is Rainforest Alliance Certified.
  • This certification is not a Fairtrade statement. According to the product information, the product may contain milk.

De Ruijter

Jumbo’s flakes range includes De Ruijter dark and milk chocolate flakes.

  • Check the packaging of your chosen variant before making a Fairtrade claim about it.

Lidl

Lidl lists 300 g dark chocolate flakes as a shop product.

  • Before choosing these flakes for guests, check the current packaging for the required Fairtrade statement and allergen information.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Which chocolate flakes have an explicit Fairtrade statement?

PLUS lists Fairtrade Cocoa for its 300 g dark Fairtrade chocolate flakes. When buying, check that the packaging you receive matches this product variant.

Are Fairtrade chocolate flakes automatically milk-free or lactose-free?

No. PLUS states that its dark Fairtrade chocolate flakes may contain milk and lactose. Always use the label on the variant you’re serving for allergen information.

What should a hotel do if it serves flakes in a bowl?

According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information must be available to guests when flakes are served unpackaged. Keep this information alongside the food and update it whenever you change products.

How should you store chocolate flakes for hotel stock?

Follow the storage instructions and best-before date on the packaging. PLUS says its dark Fairtrade chocolate flakes should be stored in a cool, dry and dark place.