Shoppers who value Fairtrade cocoa
Want a ready-to-eat chocolate biscuit to take with them and check whether the current packaging for this particular variety carries a Fairtrade cocoa claim.
Who is this choice right for?
Morning eaters who pay attention to nutrition
Want something to take with them, but also consider sugars, saturated fat and fibre. For breakfast, these shoppers also look at options such as wholegrain products and fruit, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
Shoppers who need to check allergens
Read the label before buying: according to product information from Albert Heijn and PLUS, the milk chocolate variety in question contains milk, wheat and soya, and may contain nuts and sesame.
What should you look for when buying?
First decide whether you want a small biscuit to enjoy alongside something else or need to take your breakfast with you. Then check the Fairtrade statement, nutritional information and allergens for the variety you have chosen.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it's important for |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade cocoa | Look for the Fairtrade cocoa claim on the current packaging for the specific spritz biscuit variety. Also check whether mass balance is mentioned. | I want the cocoa in my biscuit to be covered by an explicit Fairtrade claim, rather than just a general brand promise. For around 27% of consumers, this cocoa claim comes first. |
| Breakfast and nutritional value | Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion, paying attention to sugars, saturated fat and fibre. For Verkade Sprits Melk, PLUS lists 29,2 g, 14,8 g and 1,2 g per 100 g respectively. | If this is going to be my breakfast, I want to take more than just a biscuit with me. Around 33% of consumers give a more substantial breakfast top priority. |
| Allergens | Read the current ingredients and allergen list. According to Albert Heijn and PLUS, this milk chocolate variety contains milk, wheat and soya, and may contain nuts and sesame. | I need to know before eating whether the spritz biscuit is suitable for my dietary restrictions. This is the most important consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
| Taking it with you and storage | Check the portion size and current availability at your chosen shop. Once opened, follow the storage advice on the packaging. | For a morning on the go, I want a biscuit that’s easy to take with me and can be bought in good time. For around 20% of consumers, this is their main concern. |
Common misconceptions
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Confusing Fairtrade with a complete breakfast
The Fairtrade claim relates to the cocoa, not the nutritional value of the biscuit. PLUS lists 29,2 g of sugars, 14,8 g of saturated fat and 1,2 g of fibre per 100 g for Verkade Sprits Melk.
Enjoy a spritz biscuit as a small extra if you like. If you need to take breakfast with you, consider pairing it with options such as wholegrain products and fruit, in line with the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s advice.
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Assuming Fairtrade cocoa is physically segregated
According to Fairtrade International, mass balance is permitted for cocoa: Fairtrade and other cocoa do not have to remain physically separate during processing. PLUS mentions mass balance for the spritz biscuit in question.
Check which Fairtrade claim appears on the packaging. Only assume that the cocoa is physically segregated if the product information explicitly confirms this.
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Skipping the label because it carries a Fairtrade claim
According to Albert Heijn and PLUS, the milk chocolate spritz biscuit in question contains milk, wheat and soya, and may contain nuts and sesame. The cocoa claim tells you nothing about these ingredients.
Check the allergen statement on the pack you buy, especially if you need to avoid particular ingredients.
Brands to consider
Verkade
Albert Heijn and PLUS list Fairtrade Cocoa for Verkade Nobo Sprits melkchocolade, also referred to as Sprits Melk, in a 150 g pack.
- The cocoa claim is clearly stated for this specific chocolate variety; PLUS also mentions mass balance.
- This claim does not automatically apply to other Verkade spritz biscuits. Check the allergens on the current packaging for this variety too.
Joybuy products
Related products will appear soon.
Frequently asked questions
Does Fairtrade Cocoa mean the cocoa in every biscuit is physically segregated during processing?
No, you can’t draw that conclusion from the claim alone. Fairtrade International allows mass balance for cocoa, which means Fairtrade and other cocoa can be mixed during processing; PLUS mentions this method for Verkade Sprits Melk. Check the packaging to see which claim applies to your pack.
Is a Fairtrade chocolate spritz biscuit enough for breakfast?
A spritz biscuit is more of a small extra than a breakfast in itself. For breakfast, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends choosing foods from the Wheel of Five, including wholegrain products and fruit. For the Sprits Melk in question, PLUS lists 29,2 g of sugars, 14,8 g of saturated fat and 1,2 g of fibre per 100 g.
Which allergens are listed for Verkade Sprits Melk?
According to Albert Heijn and PLUS, this milk chocolate variety contains milk, wheat and soya, and may contain nuts and sesame. Before eating, check the allergen information on the packaging of the pack you bought.
How should I store an opened pack of Verkade Sprits Melk?
According to PLUS product information, store it in a cool, dry place and close the pack securely after opening. If the advice on the current packaging differs, follow that instead.