Choose a filled biscuit based on Fairtrade cocoa only if it contains cocoa or chocolate and the claim appears on the packaging of that specific product. For a premium range, also compare the filling, pack size and current allergen labelling. Butter or a Fairtrade claim about other products from the same brand proves nothing about the biscuit.
Want to know whether a Fairtrade claim genuinely applies to the cocoa in the premium treat they have chosen. Milieu Centraal recognises Fairtrade as a relevant certification label for cocoa, but that does not make it a feature of every filled biscuit.
Are looking for a filled biscuit to enjoy with coffee and check the product description, the proportion of almond paste and the pack size. Albert Heijn and Jumbo describe their featured biscuits as all-butter biscuits with almond paste.
Need the ingredients and allergen information for the pack they have chosen. Relevant allergens vary by recipe, so the product name alone is not enough.
If you want Fairtrade, first check whether the biscuit contains cocoa or chocolate and whether the claim applies to that product. Then compare the features that matter for the occasion or range you have in mind.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade cocoa | Check the ingredients for cocoa or chocolate, and read what the Fairtrade claim on this biscuit applies to. | If I want to choose a biscuit because of its Fairtrade cocoa, the claim must apply to the biscuit itself. For an estimated 36% of consumers, a verifiable claim comes first. |
| Allergens | Read the current label on the pack you have chosen, including warnings about possible traces. | If I need to avoid certain allergens, the ingredients in this biscuit determine whether it is suitable for me. This is the most important consideration for around 29% of consumers. |
| Butter and filling | Compare the product description, ingredients and stated proportion of almond paste. | When choosing something to enjoy with coffee, I mainly look for a biscuit with butter and filling to suit my preferences. An estimated 21% of consumers give this top priority. |
| Size and availability | Check the pack weight and whether the product is available through your preferred retailer. | If I want to share filled biscuits or include them in my range, the pack needs to suit that purpose and be available. This is the main consideration for around 14% of consumers. |
Verkade says that the cocoa in its chocolate bars and chocolate letters is Fairtrade. This does not mean that a filled biscuit from the same brand contains certified cocoa.
Only rely on a Fairtrade claim if it appears on the packaging or product page for the specific biscuit.
The all-butter biscuits described by Albert Heijn and Jumbo are filled with almond paste. A cocoa certification label is only a relevant selection criterion if the biscuit you have chosen contains cocoa or chocolate.
Read the product description and ingredients list before taking a cocoa certification label into account.
The name of a filled biscuit does not tell you which allergens or possible traces are listed for a particular product.
Before eating it, check the label on the pack you have actually bought.
Lidl lists the featured Sondey filled biscuits as an in-store product, while Jumbo says that the featured Aviateur biscuits are no longer part of its online range.
Check current availability through the retailer you plan to use.
These product ranges show which features you can compare; a brand name alone does not confirm a Fairtrade claim for a filled biscuit.
Albert Heijn describes its 270 g all-butter filled biscuit as containing 41% almond paste and 1% almond.
Jumbo describes its 275 g all-butter filled biscuit as containing 38% almond paste.
Lidl describes its 325 g Sondey filled biscuits as all-butter biscuits with almond paste.
ALDI lists Heerlijck Banket filled biscuits in a 330 g pack.
Jumbo lists filled biscuits from Aviateur, but says that this product is no longer part of its online range.
When the specific biscuit contains cocoa or chocolate and the packaging makes clear what the Fairtrade claim applies to. An all-butter biscuit with almond paste does not automatically contain Fairtrade cocoa.
No, a claim about cocoa does not mean that. Check the packaging to see which ingredients the claim covers. Milieu Centraal discusses Fairtrade as a certification label for cocoa, not as a general feature of every filled biscuit.
Read the allergen information on the pack you have bought, as ingredients vary by product. Albert Heijn and Jumbo list almonds, milk, egg, soya and wheat or gluten-containing cereals among the ingredients in their featured biscuits. Also check for any warnings about traces.
Follow the storage advice and best-before date on the packaging of the biscuit you have chosen. Voedingscentrum advises following the best-before date for biscuits with a filling.
