For biscuits, start by choosing the form your recipe calls for: chocolate to chop, couverture to melt or cocoa powder for a recipe that uses powder. Then check the Fairtrade statement on the exact product variant. It doesn’t tell you which ingredients or allergens the product contains, so be sure to read the current label too.
You want to see an explicit Fairtrade statement on the chocolate or cocoa product you choose, rather than relying on a general sustainability claim. Fairtrade International’s cocoa standard covers cocoa beans and processed cocoa.
You’re choosing between chocolate pieces for the dough, chocolate to melt and cocoa powder as a separate ingredient. Fairtrade Netherlands describes couverture as chocolate with a high cocoa butter content, so check whether that’s what your recipe calls for.
You’re looking for a specific Fairtrade variant and comparing pack sizes and current availability. For example, ALDI lists Moser Roth bars with 70% and 85% cocoa, while Jumbo lists Fairtrade Original Cocoa Powder, 125 g. Check which variant is available at each retailer.
First, check which form of chocolate your recipe calls for, then look for the Fairtrade statement and check the label of the variant you’ve chosen.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade statement | Look for a Fairtrade statement on the packaging or the current product page for the exact variant. | I want to choose Fairtrade cocoa rather than relying only on a retailer’s policy. Around 31% of consumers prioritise the Fairtrade statement on the product they choose. |
| Form required by the recipe | Check whether the recipe calls for chopped chocolate, couverture or cocoa powder, and stick to the quantities specified. | I need something different for pieces in the dough than for a chocolate layer or a recipe using cocoa powder. For around 31% of consumers, choosing the right product form is the main priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging you’ll actually be using. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients or allergens, I want to check the information for this exact variant. Around 23% of consumers give this label check top priority. |
| Pack size and availability | Compare the pack sizes and check whether the variant you want is available. | I want to be able to find enough of the right variant for my recipe. For around 15% of consumers, pack size and availability matter most. |
A supermarket’s sustainability programme doesn’t confirm that every chocolate variant is Fairtrade-certified. Albert Heijn says that certain Delicata products are sourced in line with the principles of Tony’s Open Chain, while ALDI mentions several cocoa certification schemes.
Check the Fairtrade statement on the exact flavour and packaging you want to buy.
These product forms don’t automatically serve the same purpose in a biscuit recipe. Fairtrade Netherlands describes couverture as chocolate with a high cocoa butter content, while cocoa powder is a separate baking ingredient.
Choose the product form and quantity specified in your recipe before you pick a Fairtrade variant.
Ingredients, nutritional information and allergen information can change, as Albert Heijn notes in its product information.
Before using the product, read the label on the packaging you’ve bought.
Worth considering when your recipe calls for cocoa powder: Jumbo lists Fairtrade Original Cocoa Powder, 125 g, among its Fairtrade baking products.
ALDI Netherlands lists Fairtrade-certified dark Moser Roth chocolate with 70% and 85% cocoa, both in 125 g bars.
Lidl Netherlands describes the Way To Go product range as Fairtrade-certified and says that farmers receive an additional premium.
Albert Heijn says that Delicata products made with cocoa from Ghana or Ivory Coast are sourced in line with the principles of Tony’s Open Chain.
This cocoa powder is a suitable choice if your biscuit recipe specifically calls for cocoa powder. Don’t use it in place of solid chocolate without adapting the recipe.
No image available
For biscuit recipes that call for cocoa powder. The listed pack size is 125 g. Check the packaging for the Fairtrade statement and the current ingredients and allergen information.
No. Check for an explicit Fairtrade statement on the variant you choose. Albert Heijn and ALDI also describe other approaches to cocoa, but a general retailer claim isn’t a substitute for checking the product itself.
Consider couverture if your recipe calls for chocolate to be melted or used as a coating. Fairtrade Netherlands describes couverture as chocolate with a high cocoa butter content. For chocolate pieces in the dough, follow the product form specified in your recipe.
Yes. The Fairtrade statement doesn’t replace the ingredients and allergen information. Read the label on the pack you’ve bought, as product information can change.
For a recipe that uses cocoa powder, you could consider Fairtrade Original Cocoa Powder, 125 g, listed by Jumbo. For chocolate pieces, ALDI Netherlands lists Fairtrade-certified Moser Roth bars with 70% and 85% cocoa. For each option, check the current variant and make sure its form suits your recipe.
