Who is this choice for?

Travellers specifically looking for Fairtrade flakes

You want chocolate flakes as a topping or to take with you. What matters is the Fairtrade cocoa claim on the exact product, not just a general message about the brand or shop.

Travellers who want to buy on the day of departure

You want to be able to buy something at Schiphol. A chocolate shop doesn’t automatically stock Fairtrade flakes, so check the product type and label in person.

Travellers who would be happy with a Fairtrade drink instead

If chocolate flakes aren’t essential, you could consider a different product. Schiphol lists Buscaglione Fairtrade coffee at De Koffiesalon; this says nothing about the chocolate products available there.

What should you look for when choosing?

Buy flakes before you travel

When: choose this option if you really need chocolate flakes as a topping or to take with you.

The trade-off: you can check the packaging and ingredients in advance, but you’ll also need to make sure the product you choose is available.

Fairtrade coffee at Schiphol

When: consider De Koffiesalon if you’d like a drink with a Fairtrade label while you’re there and don’t need flakes.

The trade-off: the coffee listed by Schiphol isn’t a substitute for chocolate flakes, and tells you nothing about other products at the location.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Fairtrade cocoa Read the claim on the packaging of the exact product. If physical separation of the cocoa matters to you, check the explanation of traceability. I want to be able to check the Fairtrade claim for the cocoa, rather than infer it from the shop’s name. For around 36% of consumers, the product claim comes first.
Buying at Schiphol Check the location information and ask in person about the exact packaging; a chocolate shop doesn’t confirm that it stocks flakes. If I can only buy on the day of departure, I want to know whether the packaging I’m looking for is actually available. Availability is the main concern for around 29% of consumers.
Product type and taste Decide whether you need flakes as a topping. To compare taste and nutritional information, check the ingredients and label on the variety you choose. A bar or cup of coffee won’t meet my need for chocolate flakes to sprinkle. For around 21% of consumers, getting the right product type matters most.
Taking them on your trip Check the hand luggage rules for the product you’re taking, as well as the import rules at your destination. I want to take flakes with me without confusing hand luggage rules with permission to import food. For around 14% of consumers, checking the rules for their trip is a priority.

What mistakes can you avoid?

  • Assuming a chocolate shop sells Fairtrade flakes

    Schiphol lists chocolate brands at Chocolate House, but that list doesn’t confirm that Fairtrade chocolate flakes are available. Another chocolate product also won’t work as a topping in the same way as flakes.

    If you need flakes, choose packaging you can check before you travel. If you’re buying at Schiphol, look at both the product type and the claim on the exact item.

  • Treating a shop’s or brand’s reputation as a product certification

    A shop that sells Fairtrade products won’t necessarily sell every variety of flakes with that certification. A general sustainability message also doesn’t confirm the claim for a particular pack.

    Check the latest product information or the label on the flakes you want to buy.

  • Assuming mass balance means physical traceability

    Fairtrade International allows mass balance for cocoa. A Fairtrade claim therefore doesn’t automatically mean that all the cocoa in an individual pack has been physically separated and tracked through the supply chain.

    If physical traceability is essential to you, read the explanation accompanying the claim before you choose.

  • Confusing hand luggage rules with import rules

    The fact that Schiphol says you can generally take food in your hand luggage doesn’t determine what you’re allowed to import at your destination.

    Check the rules for the specific product, as well as the customs and food import rules at your destination, particularly if you’re travelling outside the EU.

Brands and shops to consider

Fairtrade Original

Albert Heijn has a product page for Fairtrade Original dark chocolate flakes.

  • The page lists a 300 g pack, 33% cocoa and cocoa from Fairtrade farmers in Africa.
  • On the same page, Albert Heijn marks this product as no longer available in its range. Don’t treat that listing as confirmation that you can buy it now.

De Ruijter

Albert Heijn’s flakes range includes several De Ruijter varieties, including milk, dark and extra dark.

  • The varieties show how the product type and taste can differ from one pack to another.
  • Don’t assume a product has a Fairtrade claim based on the brand name; check the variety you’ve chosen.

Albert Heijn

A shop where you can check flakes and product information before you travel.

  • Fairtrade Netherlands lists chocolate among the Fairtrade products at Albert Heijn.
  • This general range information doesn’t automatically apply to every variety of flakes. Also check the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.

PLUS

A possible option before you travel if you’re looking for cocoa with a Fairtrade claim.

  • Fairtrade Netherlands describes the cocoa in PLUS own-brand products as Fairtrade-certified.
  • For the specific pack of flakes, check both the cocoa claim and availability; general information about the own-brand range doesn’t confirm that a particular product of flakes is available at Schiphol.

Related products at Joybuy

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can I buy Fairtrade chocolate flakes at Schiphol?

Don’t assume you can unless a specific product has been confirmed. Schiphol lists places to eat and drink and Chocolate House, but that doesn’t confirm that a particular pack of Fairtrade chocolate flakes is available. If you need flakes, check another place to buy them before you travel.

Can I take dry chocolate flakes in my hand luggage?

Schiphol says you can generally take food in your hand luggage, unless it’s classed as a prohibited or dangerous item. Check the rules for your product and journey; different hand luggage rules may apply to spreadable chocolate products.

Is Fairtrade cocoa always physically traceable in the packaging?

No, a Fairtrade cocoa claim doesn’t guarantee that on its own. Fairtrade International allows mass balance for cocoa; check the product information to find out what type of traceability is described for your pack.

Which Fairtrade option does Schiphol list if I don’t need flakes?

Schiphol lists Buscaglione Fairtrade coffee at De Koffiesalon. That listing applies to the coffee and doesn’t automatically cover other drinks, chocolate products or the current range of flakes.

What should I check if I’m taking flakes to a country outside the EU?

As well as the hand luggage rules, check the food import rules for your destination. Schiphol points out that you can’t simply take all goods with you when travelling between the Netherlands and countries outside the EU. Being allowed to carry something in your hand luggage isn’t the same as being allowed to import it.