Who is this distinction important to?

Shoppers looking for Fairtrade cocoa

You want to see an explicit Fairtrade cocoa claim on the wafer you choose. It also matters whether you want a stroopwafel: the wafer described by PLUS as containing Fairtrade Cocoa is an egg wafer.

Stroopwafel fans

You’re looking for syrup sandwiched between two wafers, perhaps to warm the wafer over a hot drink. If Fairtrade matters too, check the specific packaging to see which ingredient the claim refers to.

Shoppers who read labels carefully

You want to check the ingredients, allergens and serving size before choosing a wafer for breakfast. The allergens that matter will depend on the specific product and its current packaging.

What should you look for when buying?

Wafer with Fairtrade cocoa

A good fit if: the cocoa claim matters more to you than the stroopwafel shape; PLUS lists Fairtrade Cocoa in its Wafels Choco Fairtrade.

The trade-off: PLUS describes this product as egg wafers with hazelnut-flavoured filling, not as stroopwafels.

Stroopwafel with a Fairtrade ingredient

A good fit if: you’re looking for a stroopwafel and can see on the product which ingredient is traded under Fairtrade terms.

The trade-off: Jumbo’s Fair Trade Original Mini Stroopwafels list cane sugar and invert sugar syrup, not Fairtrade cocoa; Jumbo says they are no longer in its online range.

Regular stroopwafel

A good fit if: the syrup filling is your priority and Fairtrade is not a requirement.

The trade-off: the Daelmans Stroopwafels described by PLUS have no Fairtrade claim on that product page, so don’t assume they are a Fairtrade option based on the brand name alone.

What to consider What to check before buying Who is this important to?
Fairtrade claim Check which ingredient the claim refers to, such as cocoa or sugar, and read the information about the certification mark. For cocoa and sugar, Fairtrade International also allows mass balance; in that case, certification does not mean that every raw material used can be physically traced. I want to know whether the claim applies to the ingredient I’m choosing Fairtrade for. For around 33% of consumers, this product-specific Fairtrade claim comes first.
Type of wafer Compare the product description and filling: a stroopwafel with syrup or another type of wafer, such as an egg wafer with hazelnut-flavoured filling. If I want syrup between two wafers, a wafer with a different filling isn’t the same choice. For around 27% of consumers, the type of wafer matters most.
Serving size and nutritional information Check the number of pieces and compare sugars and energy per serving as well as per 100 g. With a sweet breakfast, I want to know what one wafer counts as a serving. Serving size and nutritional information are the first consideration for around 20% of consumers.
Allergens and dietary requirements Read the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging, and check any dietary claim on the specific product. If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know the details for this particular wafer. For around 20% of consumers, allergens or dietary requirements take priority over other preferences.

Common mistakes when choosing

  • Assuming ‘Fairtrade’ applies to every ingredient

    According to the product pages, PLUS lists Fairtrade cocoa in its Wafels Choco Fairtrade, while Jumbo lists cane sugar and invert sugar syrup in its Fair Trade Original Mini Stroopwafels. These are different raw materials.

    Check the packaging to see which ingredient the Fairtrade claim applies to. For cocoa or sugar, also look at the information about traceability provided with the certification mark.

  • Mistaking a chocolate wafer for a stroopwafel

    The Wafels Choco Fairtrade described by PLUS are egg wafers with hazelnut-flavoured filling. A Fairtrade cocoa claim doesn’t change the type of product.

    If you specifically want a stroopwafel, check the product description and filling.

  • Assuming a product page means the item is currently available

    Jumbo says that the Fair Trade Original Mini Stroopwafels are no longer in its online range. So, even if you can still read the product description, that doesn’t guarantee you can order them.

    Check current availability, and if you choose an alternative, check which Fairtrade claim appears on that product.

  • Skipping the label because it’s only a small breakfast extra

    Ingredients and serving sizes vary from one wafer to another. For example, the Voedingscentrum lists 14,7 g of sugars for one extra-large 40 g stroopwafel; that figure won’t automatically apply to another wafer.

    Read the allergen information on the current packaging and compare the nutritional information per serving and per 100 g.

Brands to consider

Fair Trade Original

The Mini Stroopwafels listed by Jumbo include Fairtrade information about cane sugar and invert sugar syrup.

  • On that product page, Jumbo specifies which ingredients are traded under Fairtrade terms.
  • The listing is for a pack of 150 pieces, makes no claim about Fairtrade cocoa and is marked by Jumbo as no longer being in its online range.

PLUS

PLUS lists Fairtrade Cocoa in its Wafels Choco Fairtrade.

  • The product page explicitly links the Fairtrade claim to cocoa.
  • According to the product description, these are egg wafers with hazelnut-flavoured filling, not stroopwafels.

Daelmans

The Daelmans Stroopwafels described by PLUS are an option if you’re specifically looking for a stroopwafel with syrup filling.

  • The PLUS product page mentions ingredients including butter and describes warming the wafer on top of a mug of hot drink.
  • That product page has no Fairtrade claim; the brand name alone is not proof of a product-specific claim.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn describes its AH Stroopwafels as vegan and lists ingredients and nutritional information on the product page.

  • The product-specific information helps you compare ingredients, packaging and nutritional values.
  • A Fairtrade claim on other Albert Heijn products says nothing about the Fairtrade status of these stroopwafels.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists both regular stroopwafels and Fair Trade Original Mini Stroopwafels on its product pages.

  • The Fair Trade Original listing specifies which sugar and syrup ingredients are traded under Fairtrade terms.
  • Jumbo says those particular Mini Stroopwafels are no longer in its online range; a claim for that product doesn’t automatically apply to other stroopwafels.

Sondey

Lidl Netherlands describes Sondey Butter Stroopwafels as an in-store product.

  • The product page lists butter stroopwafels in a pack of 12, weighing 480 g.
  • A retailer’s general Fairtrade programme is not proof that these specific stroopwafels have Fairtrade status.

Joybuy products for this topic

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are PLUS Wafels Choco Fairtrade stroopwafels?

No. PLUS describes them as egg wafers with hazelnut-flavoured filling and lists Fairtrade Cocoa. So don’t choose them as a substitute if the syrup filling is what you’re looking for.

Does Fairtrade cocoa mean all the cocoa in the wafer can be physically traced?

Not necessarily. For cocoa, Fairtrade International allows mass balance: Fairtrade and non-Fairtrade volumes may be mixed during processing, while the volumes bought under Fairtrade terms are tracked. Check the information provided with the certification mark for the claim on your product.

Which allergens should I check in these wafers?

Check the allergen information for the specific wafer on its current packaging. The products described by PLUS and Jumbo include ingredients or allergens such as wheat, milk, egg, soya or lupin; another product may have a different recipe.

How do I compare a stroopwafel serving at breakfast?

Check the weight per piece and the nutritional information per serving and per 100 g. The Voedingscentrum lists 189 kcal and 14,7 g of sugars for one extra-large 40 g stroopwafel; for a different size or brand, use the values on that packaging.