Who is this choice relevant to?

Label-conscious Easter shopper

You want to choose chocolate flakes for Easter breakfast or brunch only if you can verify the Fairtrade claim for the cocoa on the specific product.

Easter table planner with a taste preference

You’re comparing dark, milk, white or mixed flakes for your guests, without mistaking a different cocoa certification for Fairtrade.

Last-minute supermarket shopper

You’re looking for enough flakes for several guests and want to know whether the pack you’ve chosen is actually available. A range overview alone won’t confirm this.

What should you look for when choosing?

If Fairtrade is a must, first check the claim on the exact variety. Then choose the flavour and check whether the pack will be available in time.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Fairtrade cocoa Look for an explicit Fairtrade statement on the exact pack or in the current product information. Don’t infer this from an organic or other cocoa claim alone. If Fairtrade is a must for my Easter shopping, I want to be able to find the claim on the flakes I choose. For around 42% of consumers, this check comes first.
Flavour and type Compare whether the variety is dark, milk, white or mixed, and check the ingredients for that variety. When I’m catering for guests with different preferences, I mainly want to serve the right type of flakes. Around 33% of consumers put this choice first.
Availability and pack size Check the current product status or ask in store; compare the weight in grams with what you need. When I’m shopping shortly before Easter, the pack needs to be available and suit the number of guests. For around 25% of consumers, this practical need matters most.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking a different cocoa claim for Fairtrade

    A statement that the cocoa is UTZ-certified doesn’t confirm that the same flakes are Fairtrade-certified. Albert Heijn listed UTZ for AH Vlokken mix chocolade; if you’re looking for Fairtrade, you’ll need a separate, explicit claim.

    Check the statement on the pack or in the current product information for the exact variety you want to buy.

  • Using an old product page to confirm availability

    Albert Heijn lists Fairtrade Original Chocolade vlokken puur and AH Vlokken mix chocolade as no longer in its range. Pages like these can describe a product without confirming that you can buy it now.

    Check the current status just before you shop, and check with the store where you plan to shop if necessary.

    An unnecessary trip to the shop can cost you extra time when your Easter breakfast is already planned.

  • Guessing allergens from the type of chocolate

    The words dark, milk or mixed don’t tell you which allergens are listed on the exact pack. For guests with an allergy, the product information is what matters.

    Read the ingredients, listed allergens and any warnings about cross-contamination on the pack you’re serving.

  • Forgetting portions when planning your Easter table

    The nutritional value depends on the product and how much you use. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 68 kcal and 10.5 g of sugars for 15 g of milk chocolate flakes per slice of bread.

    Check the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion on the pack you’ve chosen if you want to compare products or serving sizes.

Brands to compare

Fairtrade Original

A brand to look out for if an explicit Fairtrade claim for the cocoa is your starting point.

  • Albert Heijn describes Fairtrade Original Chocolade vlokken puur, a 300 g pack with 33% cocoa, as containing cocoa sourced from Fairtrade farmers.
  • Albert Heijn lists this product as no longer in its range, so the product page doesn’t confirm current availability.

De Ruijter

A good option to consider when comparing different types of flakes for your Easter table.

  • Albert Heijn and Jumbo’s range overviews show several De Ruijter varieties.
  • Check for a Fairtrade claim on the exact pack; a variety appearing in a range doesn’t confirm that claim.

AH

A good option if you want to compare own-brand flakes, including dark, milk and mixed varieties.

  • Albert Heijn lists several 300 g own-brand varieties.
  • The product page for AH Vlokken mix chocolade mentions UTZ-certified cocoa and lists the product as no longer in its range. The UTZ statement doesn’t confirm Fairtrade.

Jumbo

A good option if you want to browse own-brand flakes and other varieties in a supermarket range.

  • Jumbo lists chocolate flakes in dark and milk varieties, among others, and has a category for Fair trade chocolate sprinkles and flakes.
  • A category listing doesn’t confirm the Fairtrade status or availability of an individual pack; check the variety you’ve chosen.

Related products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I check whether chocolate flakes for Easter contain Fairtrade cocoa?

Look for an explicit Fairtrade statement for the product or cocoa on the current packaging or product information for the exact variety. Fairtrade International has a separate standard for cocoa; a different claim on a pack isn’t automatically a Fairtrade claim.

Is UTZ-certified cocoa the same as Fairtrade?

No. A UTZ statement on its own isn’t proof of Fairtrade certification. Albert Heijn mentions UTZ-certified cocoa for AH Vlokken mix chocolade, but that doesn’t establish a Fairtrade claim for the product.

What should I check if a guest has an allergy?

Read the label on the pack you’re actually serving, including the ingredients, listed allergens and any warnings about cross-contamination. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre stresses that common allergens must be clearly listed on the label; don’t rely solely on an older online product description.

How do I work out how many flakes I need for Easter breakfast?

Allow for the number of guests and how you’ll serve the flakes, and check the portion and pack information for the product you’ve chosen. If nutritional value is part of your comparison, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 68 kcal and 10.5 g of sugars for 15 g of milk chocolate flakes per slice of bread; values may differ for other products or portions.