Who is this choice for?

If you're looking for Fairtrade cocoa

You want a cocoa snack with a Fairtrade claim. A traditional Kano made with almond paste may not be the type of product you're looking for.

If you need to check allergens

You're taking snacks for yourself or a group, so you check the ingredients and allergens on each pack. A Fairtrade claim doesn't tell you which allergens the product contains.

If you're packing food for the journey

You want to know in advance whether the best-before date and storage advice are suitable for transporting and storing the snacks during a festival or camping trip.

What should you look for when choosing?

Traditional Kano with almond paste

When: You want to take a pre-packaged pastry with you and Fairtrade cocoa isn't your main priority.

The trade-off: Jumbo Kano's with Butter does not list cocoa among its ingredients, so this variety isn't a direct Fairtrade cocoa option.

Biscuits or chocolate containing cocoa

When: The Fairtrade status of the cocoa matters more to you than taking a traditional Kano with you.

The trade-off: You'll be choosing a different type of snack. A claim about cocoa alone doesn't tell you anything about allergens or how to store the product you've chosen.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it's important for
Fairtrade cocoa Check whether cocoa is listed in the ingredients and whether the Fairtrade claim applies to the product you've chosen. If I want to take Fairtrade cocoa with me, I don't want to rely on the snack's name alone. For around 42% of consumers, verifiable Fairtrade cocoa is the main reason for buying.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current ingredients list, including the listed allergens and any warnings about possible traces. When I take snacks for a group, I want to know what's in them before handing them out. For around 33% of consumers, checking ingredients and allergens comes first.
Shelf life and storage Check the date, storage advice and that the packaging is intact. In a tent or car, I want to be able to store the snack as directed on the pack. For around 25% of consumers, shelf life and transport matter most.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming every Kano contains Fairtrade cocoa

    Jumbo Kano's with Butter does not list cocoa among its ingredients. So the product name alone won't tell you whether a snack meets your preference for Fairtrade cocoa.

    First check the ingredients, then check whether the Fairtrade claim applies to the variety you've chosen.

  • Confusing a Fairtrade claim with allergen information

    Jumbo lists wheat, milk, egg, almond and soya among the ingredients in its Kano's with Butter. A claim about the origin of cocoa doesn't change the need to read the label.

    Check the current packaging, especially if you're sharing the snack with others.

  • Relying only on a general shelf-life label

    The date and storage instructions on the pack tell you how to store the snack while travelling and during your stay. Jumbo advises storing its Kano's with Butter in a cool, dry, dark place.

    Before setting off, check the date and storage advice on every pack, and don't take any damaged packaging with you.

Relevant brands to consider

Verkade

According to Verkade and Fairtrade International, all the cocoa in Verkade chocolate bars and biscuits is Fairtrade. This applies to cocoa in these product categories, not to every snack.

  • A useful option to consider if you're looking for a biscuit or chocolate bar containing cocoa.
  • For the variety you've chosen, also check the ingredients, allergens, date and storage conditions.

Jumbo

Jumbo Kano's with Butter is a pre-packaged pastry made with almond paste; cocoa is not listed among the ingredients for this variety.

  • The product information gives you useful details for checking ingredients, allergens and storage.
  • This variety isn't a direct choice if Fairtrade cocoa is what you're looking for.

Albert Heijn

Fairtrade Netherlands mentioned chocolate in Albert Heijn's Fairtrade range in information published around May 2023.

  • A useful starting point for checking the Fairtrade claim on a particular chocolate product.
  • Check the packaging of the product you've chosen; older range information doesn't confirm the status of a specific product currently on sale.

PLUS

Fairtrade Netherlands described Fairtrade-certified cocoa in PLUS own-brand products in information published around May 2023.

  • A useful starting point if you're considering an own-brand product containing cocoa.
  • Check the current packaging of the specific product before relying on that older information.

A chocolate alternative at Joybuy

This chocolate bar is an alternative if you'd rather take a cocoa snack than a traditional Kano with you. Check the packaging of the product you've chosen for its Fairtrade claim, allergens, date and storage instructions.

Tony's Chocolonely milk chocolate bar with pecan and caramel, 180 g

Tony's Chocolonely milk chocolate bar with pecan and caramel, 180 g

For anyone who'd rather take a chocolate bar than a traditional Kano, and wants to check the Fairtrade claim on the packaging.

Milk chocolate with pecan and caramel; 180 g bar.

Before buying, read the latest allergen information. Before setting off, check the best-before date and storage advice.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is a Kano automatically a Fairtrade cocoa option?

No. Jumbo Kano's with Butter does not list cocoa among its ingredients. If you're considering another variety, check the ingredients before deciding whether a Fairtrade cocoa claim is relevant.

How do I choose a snack with Fairtrade cocoa for a festival?

Choose a product containing cocoa and check whether the Fairtrade claim applies to the variety you've chosen. According to Verkade and Fairtrade International, all the cocoa in Verkade chocolate bars and biscuits is Fairtrade. Also check the packaging for allergen information, the date and storage instructions.

What should I check on the label of a pre-packaged snack?

At the very least, read the ingredients and allergen information, the best-before date and any storage instructions on the pack you're buying. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority emphasises the importance of clear allergen information for consumers.

What do ‘best before’ and ‘use by’ mean?

‘Best before’ indicates the minimum shelf life. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, ‘use by’ appears on perishable products and calls for a different approach to food safety. Check which date appears on your packaging and follow the storage advice too.