Choose a canoe-shaped pastry or similar sweet bake for its Fairtrade cocoa claim only if the current packaging makes that claim for the specific product and the ingredients list confirms that it contains cocoa or chocolate. Check what the certification applies to, and review the allergen and nutritional information too. A general statement about a brand does not confirm these details for every canoe-shaped pastry.
You’re looking for canoe-shaped pastries or similar bakes with a verifiable Fairtrade cocoa claim. That’s why you should check the packaging of the specific product, rather than relying on a general message from the brand.
Before buying, you want to check whether the bake you’ve chosen contains ingredients that matter to you, such as cereals containing gluten, soya, milk, nuts or egg. Always use the current packaging as your reference.
You’re choosing something sweet to enjoy at breakfast and want to know how much you’re eating. Compare the portion size and the stated sugars and fibre.
First, check that the Fairtrade statement and ingredients apply to the specific bake you want to buy. Then review the allergens and nutritional information on the current packaging.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade cocoa | Check the Fairtrade claim on the current packaging and look for cocoa or chocolate in the ingredients list. According to Milieu Centraal, a Fairtrade logo with a white background may apply to a certified ingredient only. | If Fairtrade cocoa is a deciding factor for me, I want to be able to link the claim to this specific bake. Around 40% of shoppers put this check first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging, including any warnings about the possible presence of allergens. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I don’t want to rely on information about a different version or an older product page. For around 30% of shoppers, this is their top priority. |
| Portion size and nutritional information | Check the portion size and compare sugars and fibre on a like-for-like basis: per 100 g across products, or per portion for the amount you plan to eat. | If I have a sweet bake as a breakfast treat, I want to know what my portion adds to the meal. This matters most to around 30% of shoppers. |
In 2022, Fairtrade Nederland reported that all the cocoa in Verkade chocolate bars and biscuits was Fairtrade. That announcement does not confirm the current ingredients or certification claim for an individual canoe-shaped pastry.
Check both the Fairtrade statement and whether the product contains cocoa or chocolate on the packaging of the item you’re buying.
According to Milieu Centraal, a Fairtrade logo with a white background may apply to one certified ingredient.
Read the wording next to the logo to see what the claim applies to for this product.
Albert Heijn’s product page for Gulden Krakeling Speculaas canoe-shaped pastries says that the product is no longer stocked. A page like this does not confirm current availability.
Check the retailer’s current range and read the packaging of the product you’re actually choosing before you buy.
A claim about Fairtrade cocoa does not tell you how much sugar or fibre the bake contains.
Read the nutritional information and note the difference between values per 100 g and per portion.
Worth considering if you’re looking for biscuits made with Fairtrade cocoa: in 2022, Fairtrade Nederland reported that all the cocoa in Verkade chocolate bars and biscuits was Fairtrade.
No, not always. According to Milieu Centraal, a Fairtrade logo with a white background may apply to a certified ingredient only. Read the wording next to the logo to see what the claim means for the product you’ve chosen.
Use the list to help you prepare, but check the current packaging of the product you’ve chosen before eating it. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights the importance of clear allergen information on labels; ingredients and allergen information can change.
No. A Fairtrade cocoa claim does not give you the nutritional values for the bake. Check the stated sugars, fibre and portion size if you want to see how the amount you’ve chosen fits into your breakfast.
No. Albert Heijn’s product description mentions speculaas pastry with almond paste filling and an almond decoration, but does not confirm that it contains chocolate or carries a Fairtrade claim. The page also says that the product is no longer stocked.
