If you’re looking for Fairtrade cocoa
You want to see exactly what the Fairtrade claim covers on the product itself. A claim about a brand’s chocolate bars doesn’t automatically apply to its biscuits too.
Who is this choice for?
If you’re checking allergens and school rules
Read the full allergen information before packing and compare it with the school’s rules. Albert Heijn and Jumbo’s kano biscuits list cereals containing gluten and several other allergens.
If you’re putting together a lunch
You want to know where a kano biscuit or chocolate bar fits alongside the rest of the school lunch. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists bread or wraps and fruit or vegetables among the options to consider for a school meal.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to pack a kano biscuit as a treat or are mainly looking for verifiable Fairtrade cocoa. Then check the packaging and think about where the snack fits into the lunch.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade claim | Check the packaging to see whether the claim applies to the cocoa or the whole product. Milieu Centraal explains that a Fairtrade logo with a white background may refer to one certified ingredient. | If I want to buy Fairtrade cocoa for a school lunch, I want to be able to find the claim on that exact product. For an estimated 40% of consumers, verifiable Fairtrade status matters most. |
| Allergens and school rules | Read the full allergen information, including any warnings about possible presence, and compare it with the school’s rules. | When packing lunch for a pupil with food allergies, I want to know what the packaging says and what the school has agreed. Allergens and school rules are thought to be the main concern for 40% of consumers. |
| Place in the lunch | Check the portion size and nutritional information per portion, and decide what else to include in the lunch. | For me, a kano biscuit or bar is a sweet addition; I don’t want it to make up the whole lunch. The snack’s role is the main consideration for an estimated 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a Fairtrade claim about chocolate also applies to kano biscuits
Verkade says that the cocoa in its chocolate bars and chocolate letters is Fairtrade. This says nothing about the Fairtrade status of a kano biscuit from another brand or of Verkade biscuits.
Check the claim on the packaging of the product you’re actually buying.
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Checking for gluten only
As well as cereals containing gluten, Albert Heijn and Jumbo’s kano biscuits list milk, egg, soya and almonds. Other ingredients or warnings about possible presence may also be important.
Read the full allergen information on the current packaging and follow the school’s rules.
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Confusing a certification mark with nutritional value
A Fairtrade claim doesn’t tell you how a biscuit or bar fits into a school lunch. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that many products sold as snacks are high in sugar, salt or saturated fat.
Assess the nutritional information and portion size separately from the Fairtrade claim, and consider what else is in the lunch.
Brands to consider
Verkade
Worth considering if you’re looking for Fairtrade cocoa in a chocolate bar: Verkade says all the cocoa in its chocolate bars and chocolate letters is Fairtrade.
- The claim clearly specifies the cocoa and the product categories it applies to.
- The claim doesn’t automatically apply to biscuits or kano biscuits. Check the allergen information for each bar too; Verkade warns that its Puur bar may contain milk and hazelnuts.
Albert Heijn
AH Butter kano biscuits are a specific 270 g biscuit option to assess by checking the ingredients and nutritional information.
- Albert Heijn provides ingredient, allergen, portion size and nutritional information for these kano biscuits.
- Don’t treat them as a Fairtrade option unless there’s an explicit claim on the packaging. The product information lists, among other things, cereals containing gluten, milk, egg, soya and almonds.
Jumbo
Jumbo Butter kano biscuits, 275 g, are another specific biscuit option to consider.
- Jumbo lists the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information, and states that the pack contains five portions.
- Check the packaging for a Fairtrade claim rather than assuming there is one. The product information lists, among other things, gluten, milk, egg, soya and almonds.
Chocolate bars as an addition to lunch
These Joybuy products are chocolate bars, not kano biscuits. Consider them only as a sweet addition if you’d prefer chocolate; for a Fairtrade option, check the precise claim, allergen information and school rules on the current packaging.
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Tony's Chocolonely milk chocolate bar with pecan and caramel, 180 g
A bar with pecan and caramel to consider as an addition to a school lunch; the pack contains 180 g.
Before packing, check the Fairtrade claim, full allergen information and school rules on the current packaging.
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Tony's Chocolonely milk chocolate bar with caramel and sea salt, 90 g
A bar with caramel and sea salt to consider as an addition to a school lunch; the pack contains 90 g.
Before packing, check the Fairtrade claim, full allergen information and school rules on the current packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Can I choose AH or Jumbo kano biscuits as a Fairtrade option?
Only if the specific packaging carries an appropriate Fairtrade claim. Don’t rely on a claim about another product range; also check whether it applies to the cocoa or the whole product.
Does Fairtrade cocoa mean all the ingredients are Fairtrade?
No. Milieu Centraal explains that a Fairtrade logo with a white background may refer to one certified ingredient. Check the packaging to see exactly what the claim applies to.
What should I look for in kano biscuits if allergens are a concern?
Read the full allergen information on the current packaging and follow the school’s rules. Albert Heijn and Jumbo’s kano biscuits list cereals containing gluten and almonds, as well as milk, egg and soya.
Can a Fairtrade chocolate bar replace a school lunch?
A Fairtrade claim says nothing about the rest of the lunch. Consider the bar as a possible addition; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists bread or wraps and fruit or vegetables among the options for school meals.
What if the online nutritional information differs from the packaging?
Use the information on the current packaging to make your choice, and ask the retailer or manufacturer for clarification if you’re unsure. In particular, check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values of the exact variant you’re packing.