Who is this choice important to?

Shoppers who look for Fairtrade

You want chocolate flakes for serving with rusks, with the cocoa explicitly labelled Fairtrade. A different sustainability claim does not meet this specific requirement.

Shoppers who want to serve flakes

You want the larger flakes of chocolate on your rusks and don’t consider sprinkles an equivalent substitute, even when they carry a Fairtrade claim.

Shoppers who check ingredients

Before serving, you check the ingredients and allergen warning on the pack you’ve bought. This is particularly important if a guest needs to avoid milk or lactose.

What should you look for when choosing?

First check whether the Fairtrade claim applies to the cocoa. Then decide whether sprinkles would work as a different format, and finally check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this important to?
Fairtrade cocoa Look for an explicit Fairtrade claim for the cocoa on the product information and the pack. Rainforest Alliance is a different claim. When choosing chocolate for rusks with aniseed sprinkles, I want to be able to check that the cocoa is labelled Fairtrade. Around 50% of shoppers put this requirement first.
Format Check whether the product is chocolate flakes or sprinkles; they are different formats. If the larger flakes matter to me when serving, I don’t want to choose sprinkles as a substitute. Around 30% of shoppers put this preference first.
Ingredients and allergens Read the ingredients list and allergen warning on the pack you’ve bought, including any mention of milk or lactose. When I serve rusks to guests, I want to know which allergen warning appears on the packaging. This check matters most to around 20% of shoppers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming dark chocolate means Fairtrade

    ‘Dark’ describes the type of chocolate. PLUS specifies Fairtrade Cocoa for its dark flakes, while Jumbo and ALDI state that their flakes are Rainforest Alliance certified.

    Is Fairtrade a requirement for your purchase? Check that this specific claim appears alongside the cocoa information for the product you choose.

  • Assuming sprinkles and flakes are the same product

    Fairtrade Original offers dark chocolate sprinkles, but sprinkles have a different shape from chocolate flakes. You’ll see and notice the difference when serving them on rusks.

    Choose sprinkles only if this different format works for the occasion.

  • Taking a product name as a guarantee about allergens

    PLUS states that its Fairtrade flakes may contain milk and lactose. Jumbo’s dark flakes may contain milk.

    When serving, follow the allergen warning on the packaging of the product you’ve bought, even if it is described as dark or vegan.

  • Assuming an old product listing is still an option to buy

    A product page can remain online even when the item is no longer stocked. Albert Heijn marks its listing for Fairtrade Original chocolate flakes as discontinued.

    Check the current product listing before buying, then read the label on the pack you purchase.

Brands to consider

PLUS

PLUS explicitly states Fairtrade Cocoa for its 300 g pack of Chocoladevlokken puur Fairtrade.

  • Flakes with a product-specific Fairtrade cocoa claim.
  • According to the product information, they may contain milk and lactose; check the pack.

Fairtrade Original

Fairtrade Original offers 380 g of dark chocolate sprinkles as an alternative if you’re happy to choose sprinkles rather than flakes.

  • A Fairtrade option if sprinkles are a suitable format.
  • They are not chocolate flakes; according to the product information, the sprinkles may contain milk.

Jumbo

Jumbo states that its 300 g pack of Chocolade Vlokken Puur contains Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa.

  • Flakes with a named Rainforest Alliance claim.
  • This claim does not confirm that the cocoa is Fairtrade; the product may contain milk.

ALDI / Kiekeboe

For its 300 g Kiekeboe milk or dark chocolate flakes, ALDI states that they are Rainforest Alliance certified.

  • Chocolate flakes with a separately named certification.
  • A Rainforest Alliance claim does not meet the specific Fairtrade requirement.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Which chocolate flakes have an explicit Fairtrade cocoa claim?

The 300 g pack of PLUS Chocoladevlokken puur Fairtrade is described in the product information as chocolate flakes with Fairtrade Cocoa. When buying, check for the same claim on the pack, as product information can change.

Is Rainforest Alliance the same as Fairtrade?

No. Don’t treat the claims as interchangeable proof that this purchase requirement is met. Jumbo and ALDI state that the flakes discussed here are Rainforest Alliance certified; PLUS states that its Fairtrade flakes contain Fairtrade Cocoa.

Can I use Fairtrade sprinkles instead of flakes?

Yes, if a different format works for the occasion. Fairtrade Original offers dark chocolate sprinkles, but they don’t have the same shape as chocolate flakes.

What should I check if a guest has a milk allergy?

Read the allergen information on the packaging of the product you’re actually serving. PLUS states that its Fairtrade flakes may contain milk and lactose; Jumbo states that its dark flakes may contain milk.

Can I rely on a shop’s website for ingredients and nutritional information?

Use the shop’s website to help you prepare, but check the pack you’ve bought before serving. PLUS and Albert Heijn point out that product information can change; the label gives you the information for that particular pack.