Who are these flakes for?

Shoppers who put Fairtrade first

You’re looking for chocolate flakes for a Valentine’s Day breakfast or a small gift, and want to check the Fairtrade cocoa label on the pack you choose.

Shoppers who choose by taste

You know whether the recipient prefers dark or milk chocolate flakes, but also want to find a product with a Fairtrade cocoa label in their preferred flavour.

Shoppers who need to check allergens

You’re choosing flakes for someone who needs to avoid milk or lactose. Even with dark chocolate flakes, you’ll need to check the latest allergen information.

What should you look for when choosing?

If you have an allergy, check the label first. Then compare the Fairtrade label for the specific product and choose a flavour that suits the Valentine’s Day breakfast or gift.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Fairtrade cocoa Check that the Fairtrade cocoa label appears for the exact variety of flakes you’ve chosen, both on the product page and on the pack. If Fairtrade is the reason I’m giving these flakes as a gift, I want to be able to link the certification to the product I’ve chosen. For around 42% of consumers, this product-specific confirmation comes first.
Dark or milk Compare the type of chocolate and the ingredients. PLUS states that its dark variety contains at least 32% cocoa solids, while its milk variety contains at least 20%. For breakfast with someone who has a clear preference for dark or milk chocolate, I want to choose accordingly. Taste is the first consideration for around 33% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Check the latest pack: according to PLUS, its dark variety may contain milk and lactose; its milk variety contains milk and lactose. If the recipient needs to avoid milk or lactose, I don’t want to choose based on the word ‘dark’ alone. For around 25% of consumers, ingredients and allergens come first.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking a general cocoa policy for a label on the pack

    Lidl lists several certification schemes for its own-brand cocoa. That doesn’t tell you which label appears on a specific pack of chocolate flakes.

    Look for the Fairtrade label on the exact variety, and check the packaging when you buy it.

  • Only checking for milk in milk chocolate

    PLUS states that its dark Fairtrade flakes may contain milk and lactose. Its milk variety contains milk and lactose.

    If you have a milk allergy or need to avoid lactose, check the ingredients and allergens on the latest pack, even if you choose dark chocolate.

  • Relying on an old product listing

    Albert Heijn lists Fairtrade Original Dark Chocolate Flakes 300 g as discontinued. An older listing is therefore not a reliable basis for planning this product for a Valentine’s Day breakfast.

    Before choosing an alternative, check that it’s currently available and look for the label on the product.

  • Assuming dark chocolate is automatically the healthier choice

    The stated minimum cocoa content distinguishes PLUS’s dark and milk varieties, but it doesn’t tell you about their full nutritional value or the recipient’s taste preferences.

    Choose the type of chocolate you want, and check the label for ingredients and nutritional information.

Brands to consider for chocolate flakes

A brand or shop with a Fairtrade range doesn’t automatically offer Fairtrade chocolate flakes. Check the label for each product.

PLUS

PLUS displays the Fairtrade Cocoa label on its 300 g dark and milk chocolate flakes.

  • The product pages distinguish between the two varieties and list ingredients and allergens.
  • Check the latest pack rather than relying on a product listing.

Albert Heijn

The product page for Fairtrade Original Dark Chocolate Flakes 300 g states that the product has been discontinued.

  • The page links the Fairtrade label to a specific variety of flakes.
  • Don’t rely on this listing as a current online purchase option.

Jumbo

Jumbo’s chocolate flakes category includes a range of brands and varieties.

  • The category gives you a starting point for comparing flavours and pack sizes.
  • Check the pack you choose to see whether it has a Fairtrade cocoa label.

Lidl

Lidl lists 300 g milk chocolate flakes as a store product and separately describes its policy on own-brand cocoa.

  • The cocoa policy names Fairtrade as one of several certification schemes.
  • This general policy doesn’t confirm a Fairtrade label on this specific pack of flakes.

ALDI

ALDI has listed 200 g De Ruijter flakes as a special-buy product and also describes its Fairtrade range.

  • The listing makes it clear which special-buy product it refers to.
  • The general Fairtrade range doesn’t confirm that this special-buy product contains Fairtrade cocoa.

De Ruijter

De Ruijter appears in chocolate flakes listings from Jumbo and ALDI.

  • The listings show a range of chocolate flakes.
  • For a Fairtrade choice, check the label on the specific variety rather than relying on the brand name.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell whether chocolate flakes contain Fairtrade cocoa?

Check whether the Fairtrade cocoa label appears on the specific pack of chocolate flakes. PLUS displays ‘Fairtrade Cocoa’ on its dark and milk varieties; a shop’s general sustainability claim doesn’t confirm that every variety of flakes is Fairtrade.

Should I choose dark or milk chocolate flakes for Valentine’s Day?

Choose the type of chocolate the recipient enjoys, after checking for any allergens. PLUS states that its dark Fairtrade variety contains at least 32% cocoa solids and its milk variety at least 20%; these percentages don’t determine which flavour someone will prefer.

Are dark Fairtrade flakes suitable for someone who needs to avoid milk?

Don’t assume they are: according to PLUS, its dark Fairtrade variety may contain milk and lactose. Its milk variety contains milk and lactose. If you have a milk allergy or need to avoid lactose, always check the allergen information on the latest pack.

Can I still buy Fairtrade Original flakes from Albert Heijn?

Don’t rely on the product page for Fairtrade Original Dark Chocolate Flakes 300 g as a current online purchase option: Albert Heijn lists the product as discontinued. If you choose an alternative, check again that the Fairtrade label appears on that specific pack.