Who is this choice relevant to?

Stock-up shoppers who prioritise Fairtrade

You want to buy several packs of chocolate spritz biscuits and check whether the cocoa or certification claim on the current product matches what Fairtrade means to you.

Shoppers working out how much to buy

You compare the contents of individual packs and consider whether you can use them before their best-before dates and store them as directed.

Shoppers who need to check allergens

If several people will be eating from your stock, check the ingredients and any allergen warnings on each product’s packaging.

What should you look for when stocking up?

First, decide which Fairtrade claim matters to you. Then check whether the pack size, best-before date and allergen information suit the number of packs you want to buy.

What to consider What should you check? Who will find this most important?
Fairtrade cocoa claim Check the current pack to see what the claim applies to and whether it explains mass balance. I want to know whether the cocoa claim meets my requirements before buying several packs. This is the top priority for around 42% of consumers.
Pack size and best-before date Compare the net weight, best-before date and storage instructions for the packs you’re buying. Stocking up only works for me if I can use the packs in time and store them properly. This is the main consideration for around 33% of consumers.
Allergens Read the ingredients and allergen warnings on the current packaging, even if you’ve bought the product before. If other people will be eating them too, I need to know which allergens are listed on the pack before making a larger purchase. Around 25% of consumers put this check first.

Common mistakes

  • Relying solely on the word Fairtrade in a product title

    PLUS includes Fairtrade in the title of its Chocolade sprits 200 g, while the product information describes the cocoa mass and cocoa butter as Rainforest Alliance certified. PLUS’s general Fairtrade cocoa policy doesn’t resolve this discrepancy for this product.

    Before buying, check the current packaging and the exact claim about the cocoa or chocolate.

  • Assuming mass balance means the cocoa is physically separated

    According to Fairtrade International, Fairtrade and non-Fairtrade ingredients can be mixed during processing under mass balance, while equivalent volumes of Fairtrade ingredients are tracked through the supply chain.

    If physical traceability is a requirement for you, check whether the product explicitly provides information about it.

  • Assuming individual packs are a multipack

    The Verkade and PLUS products discussed here come in consumer packs of 150 g and 200 g respectively. The contents of one pack don’t tell you how many packs you can buy at once.

    Work out how many packs you need, then check how many you can order from your chosen retailer.

  • Buying a shared stock without checking allergens

    The allergens listed differ between the products discussed here. For Verkade, the product information also mentions possible traces of nuts and sesame.

    Read the packaging of the product you’re actually buying before bringing it home for others.

Brands to consider

Verkade

Albert Heijn describes Verkade Nobo Sprits milk chocolate biscuits, 150 g, as spritz biscuits coated with a layer of Fairtrade milk chocolate, and states that they contain Fairtrade cocoa.

  • The product information gives a specific cocoa claim and lists ingredients, allergens and storage instructions.
  • Jumbo explains that the Fairtrade cocoa in this product is sourced using mass balance. If you’re looking for physically separate cocoa, you’ll need to check its traceability separately.

PLUS

PLUS lists a 200 g pack of Chocolade sprits with Fairtrade in the product title, and also describes its Fairtrade cocoa policy for own-brand products.

  • The stated pack size helps you work out how many packs you need.
  • The product information describes the cocoa mass and cocoa butter as Rainforest Alliance certified. So, before treating these spritz biscuits as a Fairtrade option, check the claim on the current pack.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does Fairtrade cocoa mean all the cocoa in my pack is physically traceable?

No, not necessarily. Fairtrade International allows mass balance for cocoa: ingredients can be mixed during processing, while equivalent volumes of Fairtrade ingredients are tracked. If physical separation matters to you, check the traceability information for the specific product.

Which allergens should I check in these chocolate spritz biscuits?

Always check the label on the pack you’re buying. The product information for Verkade Nobo Sprits milk chocolate biscuits lists milk, wheat and soya, among other ingredients, and notes possible traces of nuts and sesame. The PLUS variety discussed here lists wheat, egg, soya and milk, among other ingredients.

How should I store several packs of chocolate spritz biscuits?

Follow the instructions on each product’s packaging. Verkade advises storing its biscuits in a cool, dry place and resealing the pack after opening; PLUS advises storing its biscuits in a dry, dark place. Also check the best-before dates on the packs you plan to stock up on.