Who is this choice relevant to?

Shoppers with a strict Fairtrade requirement

You’re looking for spiced biscuits or a chocolate treat that explicitly states the chocolate or cocoa is Fairtrade. Another sustainability claim doesn’t meet this purchasing requirement.

People handing out treats

You want to take spiced biscuits or small treats along for a group. As well as the claim on the product you choose, the product format, quantity and current availability all matter.

Shoppers who check for allergens

You’re handing out treats to children or guests for whom ingredients matter. So even if a product has a Fairtrade claim, check the latest allergen information and any warnings on the packaging.

What should you look for when choosing?

If Fairtrade is a requirement for you, start by checking the claim on the specific product. Then choose between spiced biscuits to share, individually wrapped figures to hand out, or a chocolate letter for a gift or shoe-filling treat.

What to consider What to look for Who it matters to
Fairtrade claim Check whether the chosen product states that its chocolate or cocoa is Fairtrade. Don’t treat Rainforest Alliance as the same as Fairtrade. If Fairtrade is the deciding factor for me, I want to see that claim on my spiced biscuits or chocolate. Around 45% of shoppers put this requirement first.
Format and quantity Compare the pack size and number of pieces in bags of spiced biscuits, small chocolate figures and chocolate letters for the planned occasion. When handing out treats to a group, I want to know whether I can share them around or give out individual treats. For around 28% of shoppers, this practical format matters most.
Ingredients and allergens Read the ingredients list, highlighted allergens and any warnings such as ‘may contain’ on the latest packaging. If guests need to avoid certain allergens, I want to be able to check the label before handing treats out. This is the main concern for around 27% of shoppers.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing Rainforest Alliance with Fairtrade

    Jumbo states that Jumbo Kruidnoten Puur are Rainforest Alliance certified; Lotus Bakeries makes this claim about the cocoa and chocolate in Lotus Biscoff chocolate bars. This does not confirm a Fairtrade claim for either product.

    If you’re strict about choosing Fairtrade, look for an explicit claim on the product itself and treat other certifications separately.

  • Assuming a retailer’s policy applies to every biscuit

    Lidl says its seasonal chocolate around Sinterklaas is Fairtrade certified. For its own-brand cocoa, Albert Heijn mentions Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade. Neither statement on its own confirms that a specific biscuit product contains Fairtrade cocoa.

    Check the claim and ingredients on the product you plan to take along.

  • Checking the label only after handing treats out

    A Fairtrade claim tells you nothing about allergens. Spiced biscuits and chocolate may contain allergenic ingredients and carry warnings about the possible presence of other allergens.

    Check the latest packaging before handing treats out, including highlighted allergens and ‘may contain’ warnings.

  • Assuming seasonal products will always be available

    A treat that’s right for your group size is no use if it’s no longer available by the time the arrival parade comes around.

    Check current availability and product information when shopping for the arrival parade.

Brands to compare

ALDI

ALDI states that products including Sinterklaas spiced biscuits and chocolate figures contain Fairtrade chocolate or cocoa.

  • The claim is linked to a specific product.
  • These are seasonal products, so check the latest packaging and availability.

Lidl

Lidl says its seasonal chocolate around Sinterklaas is Fairtrade certified.

  • The statement applies to seasonal chocolate.
  • It doesn’t confirm that a specific biscuit or spiced biscuit product carries the same claim, so check the product you choose.

Albert Heijn

The product page for Verkade Chocolade letter puur S at Albert Heijn states that it contains Fairtrade cocoa.

  • The claim applies to a specific Sinterklaas product.
  • Albert Heijn says its own-brand cocoa is Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade certified; this doesn’t automatically make other cocoa products Fairtrade.

Jumbo

Jumbo Kruidnoten Puur states that its cocoa is Rainforest Alliance certified.

  • The product information lists the cocoa claim and allergens.
  • The Rainforest Alliance claim doesn’t confirm that these spiced biscuits contain Fairtrade cocoa.

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus Bakeries states that the cocoa and chocolate in Lotus Biscoff chocolate bars are Rainforest Alliance certified.

  • The statement specifies the ingredients and product range it applies to.
  • This isn’t a Fairtrade claim and doesn’t apply to all Biscoff products.

Joybuy products for the arrival parade

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I identify a Fairtrade product for the Sinterklaas arrival parade?

Look for an explicit Fairtrade chocolate or Fairtrade cocoa claim on the product page for the specific item, and check the latest packaging. A general statement from a retailer or a Rainforest Alliance claim doesn’t confirm this for that same product.

Are all Sinterklaas products at Lidl Fairtrade?

No. Lidl’s statement refers to the seasonal chocolate it sells around Sinterklaas, not all Sinterklaas products. For biscuits or mixed products, check the claim on the specific item you choose.

Should I check for allergens if the chocolate is Fairtrade?

Yes. Fairtrade says nothing about the ingredients or allergens in a treat. Before handing it out, read the latest ingredients list, highlighted allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings.

How should I store spiced biscuits and chocolate before the arrival parade?

Follow the storage instructions on the packaging of the product you choose. The product information for Jumbo Kruidnoten Puur and Verkade Chocolade letter puur S says to store them in a cool, dry place; for the Verkade chocolate letter, it also says to keep it away from light.