Who are these snacks for?

Those looking for Fairtrade cocoa

You want a snack with a Fairtrade mark specifically for cocoa. In that case, a chocolate biscuit carrying the mark is a more targeted choice than a classic kano whose ingredients list does not mention cocoa.

Fans of classic kanos

You’re looking for a butter pastry filled with almond paste to share during a gaming session. Check the number of portions and the pack weight to get an idea of how much you’ll need.

Shoppers checking allergens

You’re choosing a snack for yourself or others and need to check the ingredients and allergens on each pack. Also look out for any warnings about traces of allergens, as these can vary between products.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you want a kano filled with almond paste or are specifically looking for a snack with Fairtrade cocoa. Then check the label on the product you’re considering, especially if you’ll be sharing the biscuit.

What to consider What to check before buying Who is this important to?
Fairtrade cocoa Check whether cocoa or chocolate is listed in the ingredients and whether the specific product carries a Fairtrade mark. If I’m looking for Fairtrade cocoa, I don’t want to rely solely on a brand’s or shop’s cocoa policy. For around 36% of consumers, this requirement takes priority.
Allergens Read the current ingredients and allergen information, including any warnings, on the pack. When I share biscuits with others, I want to know whether the ingredients matter to them. For around 36% of consumers, allergens come before other considerations when buying.
Pack size Compare the pack weight and the stated number of portions: Albert Heijn lists 270 g and six portions, while Jumbo lists 275 g and five portions. For a longer gaming session with others, I want to work out in advance how much biscuit there’ll be to share. For roughly 21% of consumers, pack size is the most important factor.
Classic kano Check that the product description is for a butter pastry filled with almond paste, rather than a chocolate biscuit. If I specifically want a butter pastry filled with almond paste, I don’t need to look for a chocolate version. For around 7% of consumers, this preference is decisive when they have no requirement for cocoa.

Common mistakes when choosing

  • Confusing a cocoa policy with an ingredient in the kano

    PLUS says that the cocoa in its own-label products has been Fairtrade certified since 2020. However, the ingredients list for the PLUS kano mentioned here does not include cocoa or chocolate, so that policy does not make this kano a Fairtrade cocoa snack.

    First check the ingredients of the specific product, then see whether it carries a Fairtrade mark.

  • Judging allergens by how the biscuit looks

    The kanos reviewed do not necessarily have the same ingredients or allergen information. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), designated allergens must be clearly listed on the labels of prepacked foods.

    Read the current label every time you buy, especially if you’re offering the biscuit to others.

  • Assuming Fairtrade means all cocoa is kept physically separate

    Fairtrade Netherlands explains that mass balance may be used for cocoa: Fairtrade and non-Fairtrade quantities can be mixed during processing. So a Fairtrade mark does not automatically mean the cocoa has been kept physically separate.

    If physical traceability matters to you, read what the mark and any additional product information say about it.

  • Using a certification mark to compare nutritional value

    A Fairtrade mark doesn’t tell you how much sugar, fat or fibre a biscuit contains. These are listed separately in the nutritional information.

    When making your choice, compare both the certification mark and the nutritional information per 100 g and, where listed, per portion.

Brands and own-label options at a glance

Albert Heijn huismerk

Albert Heijn describes its butter kano as a 270 g pack containing six portions, with 41% almond paste filling and 1% almonds.

  • Ingredients, nutritional information and allergens are available for each product.
  • The ingredients list does not mention cocoa, chocolate or cocoa powder, so this kano is not a choice for Fairtrade cocoa.

Jumbo huismerk

Jumbo describes its 275 g butter kano as a biscuit with 38% almond paste filling and lists five portions per pack.

  • Ingredients, allergens and nutritional values are available for this product.
  • The ingredients list does not mention cocoa, chocolate or cocoa powder, so don’t consider this kano a Fairtrade cocoa snack.

PLUS huismerk

PLUS describes its 275 g butter kano as a biscuit with 39% almond paste filling and an almond decoration.

  • PLUS says that the cocoa in its own-label products has been Fairtrade certified since 2020. This statement is relevant to products that actually contain cocoa.
  • The ingredients list for this PLUS kano does not mention cocoa or chocolate. So always check for a Fairtrade mark on each specific product.

Verkade

Verkade says that the cocoa in its chocolate bars and chocolate letters is Fairtrade.

  • This statement may be helpful if you’re considering a Verkade chocolate bar or chocolate letter specifically.
  • It doesn’t automatically apply to a chocolate biscuit or kano. For those products, check their own ingredients and Fairtrade mark.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are the kanos mentioned Fairtrade cocoa snacks?

The butter kanos reviewed from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS are not demonstrably Fairtrade cocoa snacks: their ingredients lists do not mention cocoa, chocolate or cocoa powder. If you’re specifically looking for Fairtrade cocoa, check that a product containing cocoa also carries a Fairtrade mark on the pack.

What should I look for on a chocolate biscuit with a Fairtrade mark?

Check both the ingredients and the Fairtrade mark on the chocolate biscuit’s packaging. Fairtrade Netherlands says that mass balance may be used for cocoa, meaning Fairtrade and non-Fairtrade quantities can be mixed during processing. Read any additional product information if physical traceability is a requirement for you.

Which allergens should I check in a kano?

Read the current ingredients and allergen information for the kano you’re buying, including details about wheat, milk, soya, egg and almonds where relevant to that product. Warnings about the possible presence of other allergens can also vary between versions.

How should I store kanos if I don’t eat the whole pack at once?

Follow the storage instructions and use-by or best-before date on the packaging of your kanos. After opening, also check whether the label gives instructions for storing any leftover biscuits.