Who is this choice relevant to?

The label-conscious weekly shopper

You want to add chocolate flakes with an explicit Fairtrade label to your shopping list, rather than relying on a general sustainability claim.

The household with a favourite flavour

You buy chocolate flakes regularly and want to choose between dark and milk within the Fairtrade range.

The label checker

You want to read the ingredients and allergen information on your chosen pack before deciding whether it suits your dietary requirements or allergy.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, check for the Fairtrade label. Then see which flavour and pack size suit your weekly shop, and read the label on your chosen variety if needed.

What to consider What to check Who should pay particular attention?
Fairtrade label Look for Fairtrade on the packaging or product page, and check which ingredients it applies to. Fairtrade Nederland points out that the packaging explains this distinction. I want to be sure what the Fairtrade label applies to when doing my weekly shop, rather than simply recognising another certification. Around 42% of consumers make this their priority.
Weekly stock-up Check the pack size and current availability. PLUS lists a 300 g pack for each of its dark and milk varieties. When I shop for the whole week, I want to know how many flakes I’m buying and whether my chosen variety is available. For around 33% of consumers, planning is their main concern.
Flavour and label Choose between dark and milk; if you have an allergy or dietary requirement, check the ingredients and allergen information on the relevant pack. The NVWA explains how allergens are listed on labels. I want to choose a flavour that suits everyone at home and check what’s in that particular pack. This combination is a priority for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming another certification means Fairtrade

    ALDI describes Kiekeboe chocolate flakes as Rainforest Alliance certified. This label doesn’t prove that the flakes also meet your Fairtrade requirement.

    Check that Fairtrade is explicitly mentioned on the product page or packaging of the chocolate flakes you choose.

  • Taking a product page as proof that an item is available

    Albert Heijn still has a product page for Fairtrade Original dark chocolate flakes, but marks the product as discontinued.

    Check current availability before adding these flakes to your shopping list.

  • Relying on the variety name if you have an allergy

    The words ‘dark’, ‘milk’ and ‘Fairtrade’ don’t tell you which allergens are in the pack you’ve chosen.

    Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the pack you’re actually buying.

Brands to consider

PLUS

PLUS lists two own-brand varieties online, each in a 300 g pack: Fairtrade dark chocolate flakes and Fairtrade milk chocolate flakes.

  • The two listings let you choose between dark and milk while keeping to the same Fairtrade requirement.
  • Check availability and, if you have an allergy or dietary requirement, read the label on your chosen pack.

Fairtrade Original

Albert Heijn has a product page for Fairtrade Original dark chocolate flakes, in a 300 g pack, and marks the product as discontinued.

  • The product page mentions Fairtrade and provides information about the cocoa.
  • Don’t assume the product is available just because there’s a product page; check before you shop.

Kiekeboe

ALDI describes Kiekeboe chocolate flakes in milk and dark varieties, in 300 g packs, as Rainforest Alliance certified.

  • The certification tells you which label ALDI mentions for these flakes.
  • A Rainforest Alliance label doesn’t confirm Fairtrade status. If Fairtrade is a requirement, don’t choose these flakes on that basis alone.

Joybuy products for this choice

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I check whether chocolate flakes are Fairtrade?

Look for the Fairtrade label on the packaging or product page, and check which ingredients it applies to. Fairtrade Nederland says the packaging specifies which ingredients are Fairtrade, so don’t rely on a general sustainability label alone.

Is Rainforest Alliance the same as Fairtrade?

No. A Rainforest Alliance label on its own doesn’t confirm Fairtrade status. ALDI describes Kiekeboe chocolate flakes as Rainforest Alliance certified. If Fairtrade is a requirement for you, check separately for an explicit Fairtrade label.

Should I still check the label on dark or milk flakes?

Yes, especially if ingredients or allergens matter to your choice. The NVWA says allergens in pre-packed foods are listed in the ingredients list on the label, so check the packaging of the variety you’re buying.

What information can I compare on the packaging?

Check the ingredients, allergens, net quantity and nutritional information for the chocolate flakes in question. The NVWA lists these as label information where applicable. When choosing between dark and milk, the information on the pack you select is what matters.