Who is this choice relevant to?

The Fairtrade-conscious host

Wants chocolate flakes for a sweet sharing board and looks for a Fairtrade label on the pack they choose, rather than relying only on a shop’s general claim about certified cocoa.

The vegan or allergy-conscious shopper

May be looking for a dark variety labelled vegan, but checks the ingredients and milk and lactose warnings separately.

The host focused on flavour and format

Wants to decide whether dark or milk chocolate flakes are right for crackers or sweet bakes, and whether chocolate sprinkles would also do the job.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether a Fairtrade label on the pack is essential. Then check the ingredients and allergens before choosing the flavour and format for your nibbles.

What to look for What to check when buying Who it matters to
Fairtrade label Look for Fairtrade or Fairtrade Cacao on the specific pack. If you see a Fairtrade logo with an arrow, read the information on the back too. For my sharing board, I want to be able to see that these specific chocolate flakes carry a Fairtrade label, rather than relying on a general claim from the shop. For around 50% of consumers, a label on the specific product comes first.
Milk, lactose and vegan labelling Read both the ingredients and the allergen warning; the vegan label on PLUS’s dark flakes does not rule out the possible presence of milk and lactose. If I need to avoid milk, I want to know what is in the variety I choose and what warnings are on the pack. Around 30% of consumers put this check first.
Flavour and format Compare the dark and milk varieties, and consider whether you want flakes or could also use sprinkles on crackers or bakes. For the nibbles I’m serving, it matters whether I choose milk or dark chocolate and whether another type of topping will do. Around 20% of consumers put this choice of flavour and format first.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking a general cocoa claim for a Fairtrade label on the pack

    A shop may use several certification schemes for cocoa. That does not necessarily mean the chocolate flakes you choose carry a Fairtrade label.

    Check for the Fairtrade or Fairtrade Cacao label on the current packaging, even if you have already looked at the product page.

  • Assuming vegan means free from milk

    PLUS labels its dark Fairtrade chocolate flakes as vegan, but also states that they may contain milk and lactose. The milk variety contains milk.

    If you need to avoid milk, check the ingredients and allergen warnings on each pack again; don’t rely on the words ‘dark’ or ‘vegan’ alone.

  • Treating flakes and sprinkles as the same product

    Fairtrade chocolate sprinkles can be an alternative topping, but they are not the same shape as chocolate flakes.

    Choose sprinkles only if their different texture works for your crackers, bakes or sharing board.

Brands to consider

PLUS lists Fairtrade Cacao on two varieties of chocolate flakes. Fairtrade Original offers chocolate sprinkles as an alternative; Albert Heijn’s broader cocoa statement still means you should check the individual pack.

PLUS

PLUS lists dark and milk chocolate flakes, each in a 300 g pack, with the Fairtrade Cacao label.

  • The dark variety is labelled vegan and contains at least 32% cocoa solids.
  • The dark variety may contain milk and lactose; the milk variety contains milk and lists at least 20% cocoa solids.

Fairtrade Original

The 380 g pack of dark Fairtrade chocolate sprinkles could be a topping for crackers or bakes if flakes aren’t essential.

  • Fairtrade Original says these sprinkles contain at least 32% cocoa solids.
  • This is a chocolate sprinkle product, not chocolate flakes, and it may contain milk.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn says the cocoa in its own-brand products is Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade certified.

  • That statement does not make every individual pack of chocolate flakes a Fairtrade product. Check the label on the pack you choose.

Related products at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does Fairtrade cocoa in chocolate flakes always remain physically separate?

No, not always. Fairtrade Netherlands explains that cocoa may be processed using mass balance. Fairtrade and non-Fairtrade cocoa can be mixed during processing, with quantities tracked administratively. If you see a Fairtrade logo with an arrow, read the information on the back of the pack too.

Are dark Fairtrade chocolate flakes suitable if I choose vegan products?

PLUS labels its dark Fairtrade chocolate flakes as vegan. This does not guarantee that the product is free from milk: according to the product information, it may contain milk and lactose. If you need to avoid milk, check the current label.

Where can I find allergen information on a pack of chocolate flakes?

According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for pre-packed foods is shown on the label. Before serving your chosen chocolate flakes, read both the ingredients list and any warnings.

Can I use chocolate sprinkles instead of flakes for nibbles?

Yes, if a different type of topping works for what you have in mind. Fairtrade Original suggests using its dark chocolate sprinkles on cake and crackers, but sprinkles and chocolate flakes come in different shapes.