If you’re after a classic canoe biscuit with almond paste, don’t assume it contains Fairtrade cocoa: cocoa isn’t a standard ingredient in this biscuit. If Fairtrade cocoa is your priority for a TV snack, check the claim on the exact pack of a chocolate snack, or add chocolate whose certification you’ve checked separately. According to Milieu Centraal, a Fairtrade logo on a white background may apply to a certified ingredient only, not the whole snack.
You want to know whether the cocoa in your TV snack is Fairtrade-certified. That means checking not just the logo, but also which ingredient the claim applies to. Milieu Centraal explains that a white Fairtrade logo may identify one certified ingredient.
You’re looking for a biscuit made with pastry and almond paste. As cocoa isn’t a standard ingredient in a traditional canoe biscuit, you want to know whether a Fairtrade cocoa claim is relevant to the biscuit you choose.
You want to choose a sweet snack for a night in front of the TV and need to check the ingredients and allergen warnings for the exact variant. A Fairtrade cocoa claim won’t tell you this.
First decide whether you want to stick with a classic canoe biscuit or choose a snack that clearly states it contains Fairtrade cocoa. Then check the certification claim and the ingredients of your chosen variant.
Ideal if: you prefer pastry and almond paste.
Consider: cocoa isn’t a standard ingredient in this traditional biscuit, so don’t choose it solely for Fairtrade cocoa.
Ideal if: you want a ready-to-eat snack whose exact variant states that it contains Fairtrade cocoa.
Consider: the filling and texture may differ from those of a canoe biscuit.
Ideal if: you want to enjoy a canoe biscuit and choose the chocolate separately.
Consider: check the Fairtrade cocoa claim on the separate chocolate bar; it doesn’t automatically apply to the canoe biscuit.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade cocoa | Look for the Fairtrade logo or an explicit cocoa claim on the exact variant. According to Milieu Centraal, a white logo may apply to a certified ingredient only. | If I want Fairtrade cocoa, it needs to be clear that the claim applies to the cocoa in the snack I’ve chosen. This verified status is the priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Canoe biscuit or chocolate snack | Check whether you’re choosing a canoe biscuit with almond paste, a chocolate snack or a canoe biscuit with a separate chocolate bar. | I don’t want to give up the almond paste and texture of a classic canoe biscuit for a different biscuit without good reason. This choice matters most to around 33% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and portions | Read the allergen information and any warnings. If you’re sharing a snack, also check the portion size and pack contents. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients or want to share snacks, I need to know what’s in the exact variant and pack. This is the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
According to Milieu Centraal, a Fairtrade logo on a white background may identify a certified ingredient only, such as cocoa.
Read the text next to the logo and check that it applies to the product variant you’ve chosen.
A traditional canoe biscuit is all about pastry and almond paste. Its shape or name won’t tell you whether it contains Fairtrade cocoa.
If Fairtrade cocoa is essential, choose a snack with an explicit claim or check the chocolate you serve alongside your canoe biscuit.
A Fairtrade cocoa claim says nothing about the other ingredients or warnings about the possible presence of allergens.
Before buying, read the latest ingredients and allergen information on the pack of the exact variant.
Worth considering if you’re looking at a chocolate bar or biscuit with an explicit Fairtrade cocoa claim to enjoy alongside a classic canoe biscuit.
Worth considering if you’re looking at own-brand biscuits or other snacks containing cocoa.
Worth considering when looking at own-brand products containing cocoa and separate chocolate or biscuit options.
No, not always. According to Milieu Centraal, a Fairtrade logo on a white background may indicate that only one ingredient, such as cocoa, is certified. Read the explanation on the pack of the exact variant.
No. A traditional canoe biscuit is made with pastry and almond paste; cocoa isn’t a standard ingredient. If you want Fairtrade cocoa, look for an explicit claim for the specific snack or for chocolate you choose to have alongside it.
Yes. Choose the chocolate separately and check the cocoa claim on the bar. For example, Verkade states that specific dark and milk chocolate bars contain Fairtrade cocoa; that doesn’t make the canoe biscuit itself Fairtrade-certified.
Yes. A Fairtrade cocoa claim says nothing about the other ingredients or the possible presence of allergens. Read the latest allergen information for the exact snack you want to buy.
