If Fairtrade cocoa matters to you
You want to check that the cocoa in your chosen chocolate is actually Fairtrade-certified for a Valentine’s Day breakfast or small gift, rather than relying on a general sustainability message.
Who is this choice relevant to?
If you want to serve breakfast quickly
You’re looking for a ready-made chocolate gingerbread loaf, but you also want to know what the current packaging says about ingredients and allergens.
If you compare products by their labels
You want to assess the sugars, fibre and allergens in your chosen variety, even if you’ve already decided on a Valentine’s Day presentation.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want a single ready-made product or would rather pair a gingerbread loaf with chocolate chosen separately. Then check the Fairtrade claim and the label for each product. A shop’s range of Fairtrade chocolate, on its own, says nothing about the cocoa in a particular gingerbread loaf.
Ready-made chocolate gingerbread loaf
When to choose it: if you want to serve it straight away and the Fairtrade status of the cocoa or chocolate is confirmed for that exact variety.
Trade-off: a name that includes ‘organic’ or ‘chocolate’ doesn’t confirm Fairtrade status, so check the latest product information.
Gingerbread loaf with Fairtrade chocolate on the side
When to choose it: if you want to check the Fairtrade claim on the chocolate separately and choose the gingerbread loaf to suit your own preferences.
Trade-off: you’ll need to choose and check two products, then serve them together yourself.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade cocoa | Look for a Fairtrade mark or a clear Fairtrade claim for the cocoa or chocolate used on the exact product packaging. | If you want to make a verifiable choice about the cocoa as part of your Valentine’s breakfast, don’t rely on a claim that applies to the whole shop. For around 50% of consumers, checking Fairtrade status comes first. |
| Ready to serve | Check whether the variety contains chocolate and whether its shape or packaging suits the way you want to serve it. | When you have little time to prepare, a gingerbread loaf you can put straight on the table may matter more than combining two products yourself. Convenience comes first for around 30% of consumers. |
| Nutritional information and allergens | Compare sugars and fibre for the same serving size. Also read the ingredients, allergens and any warnings about cross-contamination. | If you need to check ingredients for yourself or someone else, you’ll want to assess your chosen variety before serving it. For around 20% of consumers, checking the label is the top priority. |
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 11,2 g of sugars for a 30 g slice of gingerbread. Don’t use this as the figure for every chocolate variety: compare the nutritional values per 100 g and per serving on the packaging, so that differences in serving size are clear.
Common mistakes
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Assuming a general Fairtrade message applies to the gingerbread
A shop may sell Fairtrade chocolate without the cocoa in a particular gingerbread loaf being Fairtrade-certified. ‘Organic’ doesn’t confirm Fairtrade status either.
Check the cocoa or chocolate claim on the exact product you’re choosing.
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Relying only on an online product description
Albert Heijn warns that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change. This is particularly important if you’re buying the gingerbread for someone else.
Read the latest packaging before serving the product.
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Thinking ‘less sugar’ answers every question about the label
A claim about sugars won’t tell you whether the cocoa is Fairtrade or which allergens your chosen variety contains. Serving sizes can also vary.
Compare sugars and fibre for equal serving sizes, and check Fairtrade claims and allergens separately.
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Assuming every gingerbread loaf contains iodine
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine compounds can be present in bakery products through baker’s salt. This doesn’t tell you what’s in every gingerbread loaf.
If iodine is relevant to your choice, check the ingredients for that variety and, if necessary, ask the manufacturer about its composition.
Brands and shops to explore
These brands and shops offer ways to compare gingerbread and chocolate. Always check the Fairtrade claim for the exact product, rather than assuming it applies to the brand or shop as a whole.
Peijnenburg
A place to start if you want to choose a gingerbread variety first.
- Peijnenburg lists rye flour among the ingredients in its Natural 10-pack.
- For this variety, Peijnenburg also lists possible traces of milk, hazelnuts, almonds and other gluten-containing cereals. If you’re pairing it with chocolate, check both packages separately.
Albert Heijn
A place to start if you’re considering a ready-made chocolate gingerbread loaf.
- Albert Heijn lists an AH Organic chocolate gingerbread loaf.
- ‘Organic’ doesn’t confirm that the cocoa is Fairtrade. Albert Heijn also advises customers to check the packaging, as product information can change.
Jumbo
A place to explore gingerbread varieties and separate Fairtrade products.
- Jumbo lists Reduced Sugar Gingerbread, among other products, as well as a separate category for Fairtrade breakfast and baking products.
- A Fairtrade category doesn’t confirm that the cocoa in a chosen gingerbread loaf has Fairtrade status.
ALDI
A place to start if you want to choose gingerbread and Fairtrade chocolate separately.
- ALDI lists Fairtrade chocolate as well as gingerbread products.
- Check both products separately: information about Fairtrade chocolate says nothing about the cocoa in a particular gingerbread loaf.
Lidl
A place to start if you’re pairing gingerbread with chocolate chosen separately.
- Lidl says it works with Fairtrade for its Way To Go chocolate, and also lists gingerbread.
- This information about the chocolate doesn’t confirm that the cocoa in a particular Lidl gingerbread loaf is Fairtrade.
Related Joybuy products
Matching products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is organic chocolate gingerbread automatically Fairtrade?
No. ‘Organic’ doesn’t confirm that the cocoa or chocolate is Fairtrade-certified. Look for the claim on the packaging or in the product information for the exact gingerbread loaf.
What should I check for allergens in chocolate gingerbread?
Read the allergen information for your chosen variety and check for any cross-contamination warnings. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses that allergens must be clearly listed on the label. If you’re combining products, check both the gingerbread and the chocolate separately.
Does baker’s salt mean every gingerbread loaf contains iodine?
No. The possibility that iodine is present through baker’s salt doesn’t confirm the ingredients of an individual gingerbread loaf. Check the ingredients for your chosen variety and ask the manufacturer for product information if you want to check its composition in more detail.
How should I store gingerbread for a Valentine’s Day breakfast?
Follow the storage and best-before information on the packaging for your gingerbread loaf. Jumbo says its Natural Gingerbread should be stored in a cool, dry place. Check the packaging for any other variety.