If you pay attention to the Fairtrade claim
You want to know whether a Fairtrade statement applies only to the cocoa or to other ingredients too. That’s why you check the exact wording on the product.
Who is this choice relevant to?
If you’re looking for something sweet to take with you
You want something you can grab and go without preparing it, but you also want a breakfast staple rather than just chocolate with speculaas.
If you check ingredients and nutritional information
You want to check for allergens before buying, or compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion.
What should you look for when choosing?
If you’re looking for speculaas to have with a quick breakfast, first decide what kind of Fairtrade claim you’re looking for. Then check the portion size, ingredients and how the product fits alongside the rest of your breakfast.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Scope of the Fairtrade claim | Check which Fairtrade mark appears on the exact product and which ingredients the claim refers to. According to Fairtrade International, a Fairtrade Sourced Ingredient mark on a composite product may refer to just one ingredient. | I want to know whether the statement applies only to the cocoa or to more ingredients; for around 42% of consumers, this is the main priority. |
| Convenience and portion size | Check the pack size and stated portion, and think about how much you’ll actually take with you. A portion listed in the nutritional information doesn’t mean the pack contains individually portioned servings. | If I need to get out of the door quickly, I want something I can take with me without preparing it, and I want to be able to choose the amount; for around 33% of consumers, this is the top priority. |
| Nutritional information and allergens | Compare sugars and saturated fats per 100 g and per portion. To check for allergens, read the ingredients list and any warning that the product may contain traces. | Before having chocolate with speculaas for breakfast, I want to know what’s in it; for around 25% of consumers, this check matters most. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming Fairtrade cocoa means the whole product is Fairtrade
The Fairtrade Sourced Ingredient statement for Verkade Speculaas Melkchocolade 135 g, as described by Jumbo, applies to the cocoa. According to Fairtrade International, a statement like this on a composite product may be limited to the ingredient named.
Read the wording next to the Fairtrade mark on the exact product before deciding whether the claim meets your requirements.
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Having chocolate with speculaas as a complete breakfast
A Fairtrade cocoa claim says nothing about a product’s nutritional value or whether it works as breakfast. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes breakfast as a combination of choices from the Wheel of Five.
If you want to take something sweet with you, treat it as an extra and choose separately what will make up the basis of your breakfast.
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Relying on the product name to identify allergens
For Verkade Speculaas Melkchocolade, Jumbo lists milk, wheat and soya, among other ingredients, and notes that it may contain nuts. The product name doesn’t give you the full picture.
Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging of the product you’re actually using.
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Assuming an earlier supermarket listing applies to a different product
A supermarket listing for Fairtrade chocolate doesn’t confirm that a specific speculaas variety carries the same claim. Fairtrade Netherlands also refers to offers at Aldi and Lidl from 2023.
Check the Fairtrade statement and availability for the exact product on the current product page or packaging.
Brands and retailers to help you choose
Verkade
Verkade Speculaas Melkchocolade 135 g is worth considering if you’re looking for a specific claim about Fairtrade cocoa.
- For this product, Jumbo states Fairtrade Sourced Ingredient Cocoa and says the cocoa was sourced under Fairtrade terms using the mass balance principle.
- This statement doesn’t automatically apply to sugar, milk or other ingredients. If you’re considering the product, check the ingredients and allergens too.
Jumbo
Here, Jumbo is the retailer providing product information about the Verkade variety mentioned, not the source of a general Fairtrade claim for speculaas.
- The product information specifies the cocoa claim, ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for this particular variety.
- A retailer’s Fairtrade category says nothing about the status of other speculaas products. Check each pack individually.
Albert Heijn
Fairtrade Netherlands cites AH Biologische chocolade as an example of a Fairtrade product, but that doesn’t confirm the status of AH speculaas.
- This shows why a Fairtrade claim needs to be linked to a specific product.
- The stated Fairtrade status of chocolate shouldn’t be assumed to apply to speculaas with chocolate; check the exact product.
Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Does Fairtrade Sourced Ingredient Cocoa mean the whole product is Fairtrade?
No. The statement applies to the cocoa, not automatically to all the ingredients. Fairtrade International describes this mark for composite products where the named ingredient has been sourced under Fairtrade terms. Check the packaging of your product to see exactly what the claim covers.
Can chocolate with speculaas replace my whole breakfast?
A Fairtrade claim or product name doesn’t make chocolate with speculaas a complete breakfast. If you want to have it as part of a quick breakfast, choose your breakfast components separately too; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends choosing from the Wheel of Five.
Which allergens should I check in Verkade Speculaas Melkchocolade 135 g?
According to Jumbo’s product information, this variety contains milk, wheat and soya, among other ingredients, and may contain almonds, hazelnuts and other nuts. Check the allergen information on the packaging before eating it, as product information may change.
How do I compare the nutritional value of two speculaas products?
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and also consider the portion you intend to have. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends using values per 100 g to compare products; check the ingredients and allergens for each variety too.