Who is this choice relevant to?

Shoppers who want to check the certification

You want to see exactly what the Fairtrade claim applies to on the packet you choose. Fairtrade International advises reading the explanation on the back if there’s an arrow by the FAIRTRADE Mark.

Shoppers who are catering for guests

You’re looking for biscuits for an Easter brunch or a treat, and allergies or a gluten-free diet may be a factor. Check the ingredients, allergens and any precautionary cross-contamination warning on the packaging you buy.

Home bakers who choose their own ingredients

You want to bake your own Easter biscuits using cocoa or chocolate you’ve chosen separately, so you can decide on the recipe and portions yourself. Check the Fairtrade and allergen information for each ingredient individually.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide whether you want to serve ready-made biscuits or bake your own. Then check the Fairtrade claim on each packet and make sure the ingredients are suitable for the people you’re buying for.

Biscuits with a FAIRTRADE Mark

Choose these if: you want to be able to check the Fairtrade claim on the biscuit packet itself for your Easter table.

Bear in mind: for a composite product, the claim may apply to ingredients available under Fairtrade terms. According to Fairtrade International, an arrow by the mark points to further information on the back.

Chocolate biscuits made with Fairtrade cocoa

Choose these if: you’re specifically looking for chocolate biscuits and the packaging clearly states that they contain Fairtrade cocoa.

Bear in mind: a claim about cocoa doesn’t automatically apply to the other ingredients. Fairtrade International also says that mass balance may be used for cocoa, so it isn’t always physically separated.

Bake your own with your chosen cocoa or chocolate

Choose this if: you want to decide on the recipe, shape or portions of your Easter biscuits yourself.

Bear in mind: baking takes preparation, and you’ll need to check the claims and allergen information on each ingredient separately.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this most important for?
What Fairtrade means Look for the FAIRTRADE Mark or a specific claim about the cocoa. If there’s an arrow, read the explanation on the back. I want to be able to check what the Fairtrade claim means for my Easter biscuits on the packet. This is the top priority for around 42% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current ingredients list, highlighted allergens and any precautionary cross-contamination warning. If someone at the table has an allergy, I want to base my choice on the label of the exact packet I’m buying. Around 33% of consumers give this check the highest priority.
Serve or bake Choose between ready-to-serve biscuits and separate ingredients. If you’re baking, check each ingredient individually. I want to decide on the shape or portions of my Easter biscuits myself, even if that means some preparation. This is the main consideration for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming that Fairtrade cocoa means the whole biscuit is Fairtrade

    A claim about cocoa doesn’t automatically tell you which other ingredients were sourced under Fairtrade terms. Fairtrade International also says that mass balance may be used for cocoa.

    Compare the exact claim on the front with the mark and the information about ingredients and traceability on the back.

  • Skipping the allergen label because there’s a Fairtrade claim

    Fairtrade information doesn’t tell you whether a biscuit is suitable for someone with an allergy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority treats allergen information on labels as a separate requirement.

    Each time you buy, check the ingredients list, highlighted allergens and any precautionary cross-contamination warning on the current packet.

  • Assuming a product page means the product is in stock

    A page with ingredient information doesn’t mean that the baking product is available when you’re ready to buy.

    Check current availability and, when buying, also look at the actual packaging.

Brands and shops to consider

Verkade

A brand to consider if you’re looking for chocolate biscuits with a specific claim about the cocoa.

  • According to Verkade, as quoted by Albert Heijn, the brand uses Fairtrade-certified cocoa in and on its biscuits.
  • Check the current packaging of the specific biscuit; the brand’s statement doesn’t tell you which claim appears on every individual product.

Fairtrade Original

An ingredient brand to consider if you want to bake your own Easter biscuits with your chosen chocolate.

  • A Jumbo product listing for Fair Trade Original dark chocolate states that the cocoa and cane sugar are sourced under Fairtrade terms.
  • This listing is for chocolate, not ready-made biscuits. Check the claim and availability of the product you actually want to buy.

Albert Heijn

A shop where you can compare own-brand products containing cocoa and check their certification individually.

  • Albert Heijn states that the cocoa in its own-brand products is Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade certified.
  • These are different certifications. Don’t assume that every own-brand biscuit carries a Fairtrade claim; check the label on the product in question.

Jumbo

A shop where you can look for Fairtrade products and individual chocolate or baking ingredients.

  • Fairtrade Netherlands says that Jumbo stocks a range of Fairtrade products.
  • This general statement doesn’t confirm a Fairtrade claim or current availability for a specific biscuit.

Cocoa for homemade Easter biscuits

If you want to bake your own Easter biscuits, you can choose cocoa as a separate ingredient. The product below is cocoa powder, not a ready-to-serve biscuit.

Fairtrade cocoa powder 125 g

Fairtrade cocoa powder 125 g

For anyone who wants to bake their own Easter biscuits and choose the cocoa separately; this isn’t a ready-made biscuit.

Size: 125 g. Check the packaging for the exact Fairtrade explanation and the latest ingredients and allergen information.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does a FAIRTRADE Mark mean that every ingredient in a biscuit is Fairtrade?

No, not necessarily. According to Fairtrade International, for a composite product the mark may apply to ingredients available under Fairtrade terms. An arrow by the mark points to an explanation on the back of the packaging.

Is Fairtrade cocoa always physically separated from other cocoa?

No. Fairtrade International allows mass balance for cocoa: volumes can be mixed during processing, while the Fairtrade volumes bought and sold are tracked. Read the packaging for information about the product you’ve chosen.

What should I check if a guest has a food allergy?

Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the packet you’re buying, including any precautionary cross-contamination warning. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the allergen labelling rules and the Dutch rules for such warnings that have applied since 1 January 2026.

Are all biscuits from a brand that uses Fairtrade cocoa also Fairtrade?

You can’t tell from a general claim about the brand. Check each biscuit to see whether the packaging carries a product certification mark or only makes a claim about the cocoa used.