When choosing biscuits for coffee with friends, look for an explicit Fairtrade statement on the packaging if that certification is the deciding factor for you; another sustainability label is not a substitute. Verkade says that all the cocoa in its products is Fairtrade, but this brand claim doesn’t tell you which other ingredients in a particular biscuit meet Fairtrade standards. Also check the allergens for your guests and read the current product packaging.
You want to serve a biscuit with your coffee that carries a specific Fairtrade statement, rather than just a general sustainability promise. Check the packaging to see which ingredients the claim applies to.
If you’re sharing biscuits, check the ingredients and allergens in your chosen variety beforehand. These can vary between biscuits containing chocolate.
You’re looking for a biscuit to serve with coffee, without assuming that every biscuit is Fairtrade just because of a shop’s overall cocoa or sustainability policy.
Start with the certification on the biscuit you want to buy. Then check whether the packaging suits your guests and whether the product is still available.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade statement | Look for the FAIRTRADE mark or an explicit statement about an ingredient, and check what the claim applies to. | If Fairtrade is the reason I’m choosing this biscuit, I want to know whether the claim appears on the variety I’ve chosen and which ingredients it covers. This is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen warnings on the current packaging. | When serving biscuits to friends, I need to be able to check whether my chosen variety is suitable for their stated allergies or intolerances. This is the main concern for around 29% of consumers. |
| Servings and product type | Check the number of biscuits or the serving size, and make sure you’re choosing biscuits rather than, for example, a chocolate bar. | For coffee with friends, I want to have enough biscuits to share without mistaking another chocolate product for biscuits. Around 21% of consumers prioritise how easy it is to share. |
| Availability | Check the current product status and the packaging of the variety you’re buying. | If my guests are coming soon, I don’t want to base my choice on an old product page. Current availability is the most important factor for an estimated 14% of consumers. |
Albert Heijn lists Rainforest Alliance for AH Sugared Dark Chocolate Biscuits. This isn’t the same certification as Fairtrade.
If you specifically want Fairtrade, look for a Fairtrade statement on the biscuit you’re actually buying.
Fairtrade International explains that mass balance may be used for cocoa: Fairtrade and non-Fairtrade cocoa can be mixed during processing. So a Fairtrade claim doesn’t automatically mean that the cocoa in your biscuit can be physically traced separately.
If physical traceability matters to you, read the explanation that accompanies the certification.
Jumbo says that Bio+ Fair Chocolate Biscuits are no longer part of its online range. So an earlier product listing doesn’t tell you whether you can buy the biscuits now.
Just before you buy, check the product status and the packaging of an available variety.
Chocolate biscuits can contain different ingredients and carry different allergen warnings. A photo or general brand description is no substitute for information about the specific variety.
Read the current packaging and ask your guests which ingredients they need to avoid before serving the biscuits.
A brand to consider for chocolate biscuits if a claim about Fairtrade cocoa matters to you.
A supermarket where you can compare the certification statements on own-brand biscuits.
A supermarket where you should check the claim on each chocolate biscuit individually.
A supermarket with Fairtrade information about chocolate products, which you shouldn’t automatically apply to biscuits.
This Verkade milk chocolate biscuit could be a good choice for coffee if you want to take the brand’s Fairtrade cocoa claim into account. Check the current packaging to see which Fairtrade statement applies to this variety.
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A milk chocolate biscuit to serve with coffee if you want to take Verkade’s cocoa claim into account.
The pack contains 150 g. Verkade says that all the cocoa in its products is Fairtrade; check this pack to see which ingredients are covered by any product claim.
Before serving, read the current ingredients and allergen information, especially if a guest has an allergy or intolerance.
Look for the FAIRTRADE mark and read the wording next to it to see what the claim applies to. Fairtrade International also uses a mark with an arrow on products with several ingredients; don’t rely on the appearance of the packaging alone.
No, not necessarily. According to Fairtrade International, under mass balance, Fairtrade and non-Fairtrade quantities of cocoa can be mixed during processing. Check the product information if physical traceability is essential for you.
No, they’re different certifications. Albert Heijn lists Rainforest Alliance for AH Sugared Dark Chocolate Biscuits. If you’re specifically looking for Fairtrade, check for a separate Fairtrade statement on your chosen variety.
Read the ingredients list and allergen warnings on the current packaging of the exact biscuit you’re serving. Don’t rely on information for another variety or an old online description, as recipes and warnings can differ.
