Who is this choice relevant to?

People with coeliac disease

You’re looking for biscuits explicitly labelled gluten-free, and you check the current label every time you buy them. The Dutch Coeliac Society also highlights the importance of avoiding cross-contamination with gluten.

Consumers who want to factor in Fairtrade

You want to know whether a label on gluten-free biscuits refers to Fairtrade cocoa or to a broader FAIRTRADE mark for a composite product. That distinction helps you decide whether the claim meets your requirements.

Households managing additional allergens

As well as gluten, you need to consider other ingredients. PLUS lists soya in its Gluten-free Double Cookies and, among other things, milk, egg and hazelnut in its Gluten-free Chocolate Chip Cookies. Check the packaging of the variant you’re buying.

What should you look for when choosing?

When choosing biscuits where both coeliac disease and Fairtrade matter, check the gluten-free label first. Then you can decide whether the Fairtrade claim goes far enough and whether the ingredients suit your other needs.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Gluten-free label Look for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain trademark on the current packaging, and read the allergen information too. When buying biscuits because I have coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely only on ingredients that are naturally gluten-free. For around 46% of consumers, a clear gluten-free label is the top priority.
What Fairtrade means Check whether the label refers to ‘Fairtrade Cocoa’ or is a broader FAIRTRADE mark for a composite product. I want to know which ingredient the claim covers before choosing a biscuit. Around 36% of consumers put clarity about Fairtrade first.
Other selection criteria Compare the allergen statement and ingredients for the exact variant, then choose based on flavour and pack size. Once I’ve found a gluten-free option, other allergens or the chocolate flavour I want may determine my choice. Around 18% of consumers put these considerations first.

According to their product pages, both of the PLUS biscuits mentioned are labelled gluten-free and ‘Fairtrade Cocoa’, but their ingredients differ. The Double Cookies are cocoa biscuits and contain soya. The Chocolate Chip Cookies contain milk chocolate pieces and list milk, egg and hazelnut. If you’re looking for a broader Fairtrade product mark, check the label on the current packaging of either variant.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘Fairtrade Cocoa’ applies to the whole biscuit

    For a composite product, a Fairtrade label may apply to a specific ingredient. Fairtrade International distinguishes between claims about individual ingredients and marks for composite products.

    Decide whether Fairtrade cocoa is enough for you. If not, look for the broader FAIRTRADE mark on the current packaging and read the accompanying explanation.

  • Assuming gluten-free means free from other allergens

    According to PLUS’s product pages, its Gluten-free Double Cookies contain soya, while its Gluten-free Chocolate Chip Cookies list, among other things, milk, egg and hazelnut.

    Check the allergen information on the pack you’re planning to buy, even if both biscuits are labelled gluten-free.

  • Relying on a product page you read previously

    A recipe or packaging may have changed, bringing different ingredient and allergen information. That’s why it’s important to check the current label when choosing biscuits for coeliac disease.

    Read the packaging again each time you buy, especially if the pack is marked as updated.

Brands worth comparing

PLUS

PLUS describes its Gluten-free Double Cookies and Gluten-free Chocolate Chip Cookies as gluten-free biscuits labelled ‘Fairtrade Cocoa’.

  • The individual product pages make it possible to compare biscuit types, ingredients and allergens.
  • ‘Fairtrade Cocoa’ is not proof in itself that the whole biscuit is Fairtrade certified; check the mark on the pack.

AH Glutenvrij

Albert Heijn offers a range of biscuits under AH Glutenvrij, including double cookies and chocolate chip cookies.

  • You can check the gluten-free label and ingredients for each type of biscuit.
  • Check for a Fairtrade label on the specific product; a gluten-free range doesn’t tell you anything about this on its own.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij

Jumbo’s Lekker Vrij range includes gluten-free spiced biscuits and digestives with milk chocolate.

  • The range of biscuit types gives you a starting point for comparing ingredients and allergens for each product.
  • If Fairtrade matters to you, check the packaging of the individual biscuit rather than relying on the range name.

Lidl

Lidl describes its Way To Go chocolate bars as Fairtrade certified, but chocolate bars are not biscuits.

  • The product category makes it clear why a Fairtrade claim for chocolate can’t be assumed to apply to biscuits.
  • For a Lidl biscuit, check separately for a gluten-free label and any Fairtrade mark.

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus Bakeries describes Biscoff as a caramelised biscuit.

  • The distinctive product name makes it easier to find the right pack to check.
  • Don’t rely on the brand name for this purchase: check the exact biscuit for a gluten-free label and what any Fairtrade claim means.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are rice flour or maize flour on the ingredients list enough if you have coeliac disease?

No. Don’t choose biscuits based on those ingredients alone. Look for an explicit gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain trademark on the current packaging; the Dutch Coeliac Society also highlights the importance of avoiding cross-contamination with gluten.

Does ‘Fairtrade Cocoa’ mean the whole biscuit is Fairtrade certified?

No. The label refers to Fairtrade cocoa as an ingredient and doesn’t, by itself, prove that the composite biscuit has broader certification. If that distinction affects your choice, read the mark and explanation on the packaging.

Are PLUS Gluten-free Chocolate Chip Cookies suitable if you have a milk or hazelnut allergy?

No, not if you need to avoid milk or hazelnut: PLUS’s product information lists both ingredients, as well as egg. Check the allergen information on the current packaging before buying.