Who is each type of treat suitable for?

Parents who prioritise Fairtrade cocoa

If certification determines your choice, check whether the product contains cocoa and exactly what the Fairtrade claim applies to. A chocolate treat and classic speculoos are two different options.

Parents handing out treats to a group

Ask about allergies, dietary requirements and the school or after-school club’s rules in advance. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends taking into account children who do not eat certain products when choosing a treat.

Parents looking to hand out a small biscuit

A small portion of speculoos can be a practical choice if Fairtrade cocoa is not essential. Even with a simple biscuit, check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging you choose.

What should you consider when choosing?

Classic speculoos

Choose this when: You want to hand out a small biscuit and don’t require Fairtrade cocoa.

Consider: Lotus Bakeries does not list cocoa in the ingredients for Biscoff Original, but it does contain wheat and soya.

Chocolate speculoos

Choose this when: You’re specifically looking for a speculoos biscuit with chocolate.

Consider: The Lotus Biscoff chocolate variant lists 22% chocolate, but the presence of chocolate as an ingredient does not confirm Fairtrade status.

Individually wrapped chocolate

Choose this when: A chocolate treat suits the group and individual portions matter more than speculoos.

Consider: Check the allergens for each product in a variety box. If you want Fairtrade cocoa, make sure the product claim is valid too.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Fairtrade cocoa Check the certification mark and the claim about the certified ingredient on the exact packaging. According to Milieu Centraal, a Fairtrade logo with a white background may apply to just one ingredient. I want clear evidence that the cocoa in my treat is covered by a Fairtrade claim, rather than assuming this from the word ‘chocolate’ alone. For around 42% of consumers, this assurance comes first.
Suitable for the group Ask about the school or after-school club’s rules, as well as allergies and dietary requirements. Then compare these with the ingredients and allergen information for the variant you’ve chosen. When children have different dietary needs, I want to know whether my choice is suitable for the group. Around 33% of consumers give this the highest priority.
Portion size and how it’s served Check the number of individual items and the portion size in relation to the group. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping treat portions small. I want to be able to give each child a suitable small portion without lots of dividing and preparation. For around 25% of consumers, ease of serving matters most.

Common mistakes when choosing treats for children

  • Assuming speculoos contains Fairtrade cocoa

    Classic speculoos does not have to contain cocoa: the ingredients list for Lotus Biscoff Original contains no cocoa. The chocolate variant is a different product.

    First decide whether you want a biscuit or a treat containing Fairtrade cocoa. If you choose the latter, check the claim on the packaging of the exact variant you’re buying.

  • Reading more into the Fairtrade logo than the claim says

    According to Fairtrade, mass balance is permitted for cocoa: Fairtrade and non-Fairtrade cocoa may be mixed during processing. Milieu Centraal points out that a logo with a white background may indicate just one certified ingredient.

    Check which ingredients the claim applies to, and look for traceability information if keeping the cocoa physically separate is important to you.

  • Handing out a mixed chocolate selection without checking allergens

    Different flavours in one box may contain different allergens or carry warnings about traces of them. So a mixed box is not automatically suitable for every child.

    Ask about the group’s needs in advance and read the current allergen information for the exact selection. If necessary, choose a suitable alternative for children who cannot eat it.

Brands and shops to explore

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus Bakeries describes both Original Speculoos and a chocolate variant.

  • The ingredients list for Original Speculoos makes it clear that this variant does not list cocoa.
  • The chocolate variant lists 22% chocolate. Check any Fairtrade claim separately on the packaging you choose.

Tony's Chocolonely

Tiny’s is worth considering if you want to hand out individually wrapped chocolate instead of speculoos.

  • Albert Heijn describes the Tiny’s gift box as a selection of 22 individually wrapped chocolates.
  • For a selection of flavours, check both the Fairtrade claim and the allergen information on the exact packaging.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn provides information about cocoa certification in its own-brand products and also sells chocolate products from other brands.

  • Albert Heijn states that the cocoa in its own-brand products is Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade certified.
  • This general statement does not tell you which certification mark appears on an individual speculoos or chocolate variant.

Jumbo

Jumbo has an online category for Fairtrade products, which can be a useful starting point when choosing a product.

  • The category can help you find products with a Fairtrade label.
  • For each treat, check the product claim, ingredients, allergens and how it is portioned. A category label does not automatically apply to every product.

Lidl

Lidl lists Bakkers speculaas as a 600 g pack of biscuits available to buy in store.

  • The pack size listed can help you work out how many portions you’ll need.
  • Before choosing this speculoos as a treat, check the packaging in store for ingredients, allergens and any Fairtrade claim.

ALDI

Fairtrade Nederland included ALDI chocolate in a round-up of promotions from May 2023.

  • This listing gives you an idea of the type of product to look for at a shop.
  • A promotion from 2023 tells you nothing about a current treat or the certification mark on a specific pack.

Treats on Joybuy

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does ordinary speculoos automatically contain Fairtrade cocoa?

No. The ingredients list for Lotus Biscoff Original does not list cocoa. Even with chocolate speculoos, check any Fairtrade claim on the packaging of the exact variant.

Does Fairtrade cocoa mean that all the cocoa is kept physically separate?

No, not necessarily. Fairtrade permits mass balance for cocoa. Fairtrade and non-Fairtrade quantities may be mixed during processing, while the Fairtrade volumes sold are tracked. Check for additional traceability information if physical separation is a requirement for you.

Should I check for allergens in pre-packed biscuits or chocolate?

Yes. Compare the allergen information on the packaging you choose with the children’s needs. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens must be clearly listed in the ingredients information for pre-packed foods. You should also ask about allergies and other dietary requirements in the group beforehand.

Can a school or after-school club refuse a speculoos or chocolate treat?

Yes, if the treat does not comply with the school or after-school club’s rules. Ask in advance which products and portion sizes are allowed, so you don’t have to rely on the ingredients or certification mark alone.

How do I choose a portion size for a treat for children?

Choose a small portion that complies with the school or after-school club’s rules. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping treats small and suggests a small biscuit if you want to hand out biscuits. Also check how many individual portions the pack contains.