Who is this relevant to?

Certification-first shoppers

For you, the Fairtrade status of the speculaas you choose matters more than a general sustainability claim or another certification mark. You want to be able to see exactly what the mark applies to.

Hosts expecting lots of guests

You’re looking for speculaas to share with coffee, tea or dessert. Pack size and ease of serving matter too, as does whether the product you choose meets your certification requirements.

Allergen-aware festive shoppers

You’re buying for guests for whom ingredients and allergens are decisive. That’s why you read the label on every variety you choose, even when pairing speculaas with chocolate.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether Fairtrade certification is a requirement for the speculaas itself. Then compare how it’s served, and check the ingredients and allergens of the products you choose for your guests.

What to consider What should you check? Who does this matter to?
Fairtrade certification mark Check the certification mark and product claim on the current packaging. Fairtrade Netherlands and Milieu Centraal explain that, for composite products, how the certification mark is applied can affect what the claim means. I want to serve the speculaas as Fairtrade and won’t settle for another sustainability claim alone. For around 42% of consumers, verifiable Fairtrade certification comes first.
Sharing and serving Compare the net weight, any portion information and the storage instructions. When I’m hosting lots of guests, I want to put out enough speculaas and serve it easily. Being easy to share is the main consideration for around 33% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Read the allergen information and any warnings about possible traces on the packaging of each variety you choose. If a guest has an allergy, I need to know what the speculaas contains and which traces are listed. This check takes priority for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking another certification mark for Fairtrade

    A certification for cocoa doesn’t automatically tell you anything about the Fairtrade status of the speculaas. For example, Lotus Bakeries says that the cocoa ingredients in its Biscoff chocolate bars are Rainforest Alliance certified; this is not a Fairtrade claim for Biscoff speculaas.

    Only describe a product as Fairtrade when the certification mark and claim apply to that specific product.

  • Choosing pack size first and checking the certification mark afterwards

    Albert Heijn and Jumbo each describe a 600 g pack of bakers’ speculaas. The weight doesn’t make either product a Fairtrade choice.

    If Fairtrade is a firm requirement, check the speculaas packaging first and compare quantities afterwards.

  • Confusing a dietary claim with allergen information

    Albert Heijn and Jumbo list wheat and gluten in the product information for their bakers’ speculaas, along with the possible presence of almonds or nuts. Another statement on the packaging doesn’t override this information.

    If a guest has an allergy, read the allergen information on the current packaging, including for chocolate varieties.

  • Assuming a product page guarantees availability

    Finding a product page doesn’t necessarily tell you where you can buy the product just before New Year’s Eve. Lidl, for example, says that its bakers’ speculaas is only available in store.

    Check current availability as well as the label on the product you ultimately choose.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

The AH own-brand range is a useful reference for classic bakers’ speculaas in a 600 g pack.

  • Albert Heijn lists wheat and gluten in AH Bakers’ Speculaas, with the possible presence of almonds.
  • Check for a Fairtrade claim on the packaging you choose; the product category or pack size is not proof of certification.

Jumbo

Jumbo Bakers’ Speculaas is a standard option in a 600 g pack for anyone looking to share speculaas.

  • Jumbo lists wheat and gluten, with the possible presence of almonds and nuts.
  • Don’t treat this speculaas as Fairtrade unless the specific product carries a relevant claim.

Lidl

Lidl sells both bakers’ speculaas and a separate Way To Go chocolate range; these two types of product don’t automatically have the same certification status.

  • Lidl describes its Way To Go products as fully Fairtrade certified and lists its 600 g pack of bakers’ speculaas as an in-store product.
  • A Fairtrade claim for chocolate doesn’t apply to speculaas you buy separately.

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus Biscoff is worth considering if you’re thinking of pairing speculaas flavours with chocolate and want to distinguish between certification marks.

  • According to Lotus Bakeries, the cocoa ingredients in its Biscoff chocolate bars are Rainforest Alliance certified.
  • That brand claim doesn’t prove that Biscoff speculaas or the chocolate bars are Fairtrade certified.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does a sustainability claim mean that speculaas is Fairtrade?

No. Another sustainability claim isn’t Fairtrade certification for the speculaas. Check the certification mark and wording on the current packaging of the exact product you want to buy.

Can I call speculaas served with Fairtrade chocolate Fairtrade speculaas?

Not unless there’s a relevant Fairtrade claim for the speculaas itself. You can serve ordinary speculaas with Fairtrade chocolate as separate products and describe them as such. Lidl describes its Way To Go chocolate as Fairtrade certified, but that claim doesn’t extend to biscuits bought separately.

Which allergens should I check in speculaas for guests?

Read the allergen information on the current packaging of each product. For the bakers’ speculaas mentioned, Albert Heijn and Jumbo list wheat and gluten; they also mention the possible presence of almonds or nuts. Check any chocolate variety separately.

How should I store speculaas until New Year’s Eve?

Follow the storage advice on the packaging you buy. Albert Heijn and Jumbo recommend storing the bakers’ speculaas mentioned in a cool, dry place. Seal an opened pack tightly to protect the biscuits from moisture.

Is a Fairtrade statement on a product page enough?

Only rely on the statement for the product it clearly applies to, and compare it with the packaging you receive. For composite products, also check how the certification mark is applied and what the accompanying information says. Fairtrade Netherlands and Milieu Centraal explain that the claim may relate to the Fairtrade ingredients available or to one certified ingredient.