Only choose Dutch gingerbread on the basis of Fairtrade if the specific pack or product page clearly states what the certification or claim applies to. Fairtrade chocolate in a supermarket’s range does not prove anything about that gingerbread. For your weekly shop, also check the pack size, nutritional information and allergens: wholegrain or no added sugars does not automatically mean Fairtrade or gluten-free.
You want to know whether the Dutch gingerbread you choose carries a Fairtrade label itself. A supermarket’s wider Fairtrade range is no substitute: check each variety and see exactly what the label applies to.
You’re looking for a pack that works for several occasions during the week. Pack size, portion size and whether the gingerbread is sliced or unsliced can help you decide if it’s practical for you.
You compare sugars, fibre, ingredients and allergens. Claims such as wholegrain, no added sugars or gluten-free each answer a different question, so read the information for the variety you choose.
If Fairtrade is your top priority, start by checking the claim on the Dutch gingerbread itself. Then compare the pack format and product information to find what suits how you’ll use it during the week.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade claim | Check the pack you’ve chosen or the current product page to see whether the claim applies to the gingerbread itself or to a specific ingredient. | I want to know what the Fairtrade claim applies to on this particular gingerbread, rather than relying on other products on the shelf. Around 36% of consumers make this product-specific check their priority. |
| Pack size and use during the week | Compare the weight in grams and whether it’s sliced or unsliced; think about the portions you’ll have during the week. | For several occasions, I want a pack we’ll actually finish and can slice or serve as we prefer. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this practical aspect of weekly shopping. |
| Nutritional information | Compare sugars and fibre per 100 g and per portion; also read the ingredients and any warnings about sweeteners. | If I’m choosing between regular Dutch gingerbread and a no-added-sugars variety, I want to see what else is in it. For around 21% of consumers, nutritional information comes first. |
| Gluten and allergens | Read the current allergen information and check for an explicit gluten-free claim if you need to avoid gluten. | I need to know whether the variety I’ve chosen suits my diet or avoids allergens I need to steer clear of; a general product category won’t tell me that. For around 14% of consumers, this is their main concern. |
PLUS and Jumbo feature Fairtrade products in their ranges, but a range overview doesn’t tell you what a claim on an individual gingerbread product applies to.
Check the pack you’ve chosen: does the certification apply to the gingerbread, or does the manufacturer mention Fairtrade only for a particular ingredient?
The product category tells you nothing about which salt is used in a particular variety. Ingredients can vary in bakery products too.
If you want to know whether the salt contains iodine, look for a clear statement on the current packaging rather than trying to infer it from the product name.
These claims are no substitute for the nutrition table and ingredients list. For example, the Peijnenburg wholegrain Dutch gingerbread with no added sugars sold by Albert Heijn contains xylitol and carries a warning about excessive consumption.
Compare sugars and fibre per 100 g and per portion, and read the ingredients and product warnings for the variety you choose.
Changes to ingredients or allergens can be particularly important if you have an allergy or follow a strict diet.
Check the packaging again when you buy the gingerbread and before you eat it.
Peijnenburg offers several varieties of Dutch gingerbread, including a wholegrain version with no added sugars and a separate gluten-free variety.
PLUS sells Dutch gingerbread in several pack formats, including a 550 g plain, unsliced loaf.
Jumbo offers, among other products, an own-brand Dutch gingerbread with a gluten-free label.
ALDI sells, among other products under these names, plain unsliced Dutch gingerbread and a sliced Zero variety.
No. A Fairtrade claim on chocolate or other products doesn’t automatically apply to Dutch gingerbread. Check the specific pack or product page for a certification or claim, and see whether it applies to the gingerbread itself or just one ingredient.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion for the products you’re considering. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre (Voedingscentrum) lists 11.2 g of sugars and 1.1 g of fibre in a 30 g slice of regular Dutch gingerbread, compared with 7.3 g of sugars and 3.6 g of fibre in a same-sized slice of lower-sugar gingerbread. Values may differ between individual brands and varieties.
No. Check the full allergen information for the variety you’ve chosen. PLUS lists rye and possible traces of wheat, barley and oats for one plain gingerbread; Albert Heijn lists milk and lupin for a separate gluten-free Peijnenburg variety. ‘Wholegrain’ and ‘gluten-free’ also answer different questions.
Don’t assume that it does. If iodine in the salt is relevant to your choice, check whether the ingredients information on the specific pack clearly states that it contains iodised salt.
