Who is this relevant to?

Students who check the label

You want to see on the pack whether the Fairtrade label applies to the finished product or to specific ingredients named on it.

Snackers comparing serving sizes

You want to eat speculaas while studying and compare serving sizes and nutrition information, without treating a certification label as nutritional advice.

Biscuit buyers who need to check ingredients

You need up-to-date information about ingredients, allergens or warnings about possible cross-contamination before choosing a pack.

What should you look for when choosing?

When choosing speculaas for studying, first check exactly what the Fairtrade label on the pack covers. Then compare the serving size and nutrition information, and always read the latest ingredient information if you have an allergy or dietary requirement.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Fairtrade status Check the label on the pack and see whether it applies to all ingredients available as Fairtrade or to specific ingredients named on the pack. If Fairtrade is the deciding factor for me, I want to know what the label on this biscuit covers. Around 50% of consumers put this check first.
Serving size and nutrition information Compare the serving size and the nutrition information per serving and per 100 g, including sugars and saturated fat. During a study session, I want to choose how much speculaas to have and know what that serving contains. For around 30% of consumers, this is their first consideration.
Ingredients and allergens Check the ingredients, allergens and any warnings about possible cross-contamination on the current packaging. If I have an allergy or dietary requirement, I need to know whether this particular pack meets my needs. This comes first for around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing a brand claim with the label on the biscuit

    Lotus Bakeries mentions Rainforest Alliance certification for the cocoa in certain Biscoff chocolate bars. That tells you nothing about the Fairtrade status of standard Lotus Biscoff Speculoos.

    Check the Fairtrade label and the information about the ingredients on the exact pack you want to buy.

  • Assuming Fairtrade means physical traceability

    Fairtrade Nederland explains that mass balance is permitted for products including cocoa and sugar. This means Fairtrade and non-Fairtrade volumes can be mixed during processing, while the volumes are tracked administratively.

    If physical separation is essential to you, read the traceability information associated with the label before choosing.

  • Taking a certification label as nutritional advice

    Fairtrade sets out trading conditions for ingredients; it doesn’t tell you about the nutritional value of a serving of speculaas.

    Read the nutrition information on the pack and compare sugars and saturated fat per serving and per 100 g.

  • Relying only on online allergen information

    Allergens vary from product to product. For example, Jumbo lists gluten and wheat for its Bakkers Speculaas, with a warning that it may contain almonds and nuts.

    Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack you actually buy, even if you’ve already read the product page.

Brands and shops to explore

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus Biscoff Speculoos is a type of speculoos for which Albert Heijn provides ingredient and nutrition information.

  • The product information gives you a starting point for comparing ingredients and serving sizes.
  • A sustainability claim about another Biscoff product range doesn’t automatically make this speculoos Fairtrade; check the specific pack.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists various types of speculaas and speculoos, including own-brand products and Lotus Biscoff.

  • The range makes it easy to compare different varieties and pack sizes.
  • Being stocked by the shop says nothing about the Fairtrade status of an individual pack; check the product-specific information for that.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists products including Echte Bakkers Speculaas and Jumbo Bakkers Speculaas, with information specific to each product.

  • The product pages provide information about ingredients, allergens and nutritional values to help you compare varieties.
  • A general Fairtrade category in the shop doesn’t determine whether a particular pack of speculaas is Fairtrade.

Lidl

Lidl lists Bakkers speculaas in a 600 g pack.

  • The pack size shown makes it easier to compare formats.
  • Check the pack in store for the latest ingredient and allergen information, and for any Fairtrade label.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell whether speculaas is Fairtrade?

Check the Fairtrade label on the current pack. According to Fairtrade Nederland, on composite products a black label with an arrow indicates that all ingredients available as Fairtrade have been sourced under Fairtrade conditions; a white label names the specific Fairtrade ingredients.

Does a Fairtrade label tell me anything about the nutritional value of speculaas?

No. The label relates to trading conditions for ingredients. For nutritional information, check the serving size and the nutrition information on the pack, including sugars and saturated fat.

Where can I find the allergens in a pack of speculaas?

Check the ingredients list and any warnings on the pack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens required by law must be listed on the label, so check the packaging of the product you’re buying.

How should I store speculaas after opening?

Follow the storage advice on the pack you choose. For Echte Bakkers Speculaas, Jumbo recommends storing the product in a sealed container after opening.