Only choose a chocolate box as an organic gift if you can check the organic label on the specific product. Then decide whether the recipient would prefer a ready-made box, plant-based chocolates or a selection of individual bars. Whichever you choose, check the ingredients, allergens, quantity and best-before date.
A green box isn’t enough if organic is a must. Check the product for the EU organic logo, the code number of the control body and the origin indication. The European Commission links the use of the EU organic logo to organic certification.
When choosing plant-based chocolate, you’ll also need to check the ingredients and allergens for the specific product. Lovechock describes its range as organic and vegan; according to its own website, Dhana Chocolate offers plant-based chocolates and gift boxes.
Individual bars let you tailor the flavours and cocoa percentages to the recipient rather than choosing a fixed box of chocolates. Ekoplaza stocks both chocolates and chocolate bars; check the product information for each bar you choose.
Start by checking the organic label on the product. Then choose a format that suits the recipient, and check exactly what’s in the box or your own selection before giving it as a gift.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Organic label | Check the specific product for the EU organic logo, the code number of the control body and the origin indication. | If the gift needs to be organic, I want to be able to check this on the packaging; around 31% of consumers put this check first. |
| Dietary requirements and allergens | Read the ingredients list, the listed allergens and any warnings about traces on the exact product. | For someone who eats a plant-based diet or has an allergy, I don’t want to rely on the word ‘vegan’ alone; around 31% of consumers give dietary requirements and allergens top priority. |
| Gift size | Check the net weight, number of pieces, packaging and current availability. | When others will be sharing the gift, I want to know whether it contains enough chocolate and how it’s packaged; for around 23% of consumers, gift size matters most. |
| Flavour and cocoa | Check the cocoa percentage, filling and sweetener used in the chocolate you choose. | For someone with a clear preference for dark chocolate, I want to choose flavours to match; flavour and cocoa profile come first for around 15% of consumers. |
The look of a chocolate box doesn’t tell you whether the product is organically certified.
Check the packaging for the EU organic logo, the code number of the control body and the origin indication. According to the European Commission, the EU organic logo may only appear on products that have been certified accordingly.
A plant-based bar may still contain nuts or carry a warning about traces of other allergens. For example, the product pages for Vivani Fine Dark and Lovechock Extra Pure mention potential allergens.
Read the ingredients and warnings for the exact product. If in doubt, don’t choose chocolate for someone with a severe allergy.
An organic chocolate product shown previously may no longer be available: Albert Heijn says its organic chocolate figurines have been discontinued.
Check that your chosen item is available shortly before ordering, and review the latest product information.
Organic doesn’t tell you anything about the recipient’s taste preferences. For example, Vivani lists a cocoa content of 75% for its Fine Dark bar. That’s useful to know when putting together a selection.
Choose the cocoa percentage, filling and sweetener to suit their known preferences. If you don’t know what they like, consider including a range of flavours.
These brands offer ideas for a chocolate gift; always check the organic label and allergen information for each product you choose.
Bars for putting together a plant-based chocolate selection.
Chocolates and gift boxes for anyone looking for a ready-made plant-based chocolate gift.
Bars to include in a selection you put together yourself.
A brand to consider when putting together a selection of organic bars.
Check the EU organic logo on the specific pre-packed product, along with the code number of the control body and the origin indication. According to the European Commission, the EU organic logo may only be used on products certified as organic by a recognised body; green packaging is no substitute.
No. The term ‘chocolate gift’ describes how it’s presented, not whether it’s organically certified. Check the packaging of the individual product, even if you find it in a gift section.
Read the ingredients list, the listed allergens and any precautionary warnings about traces for the exact product. According to Your Europe, allergen information is part of the labelling requirements for pre-packed food; the words organic, vegan or pure don’t replace these checks.
No. Vegan and organic describe different properties. A brand may describe a product as both, but check the organic label and ingredients on the packaging of the chocolate you want to give.
