Coffee drinkers looking for Fairtrade
Want to check that a spritz biscuit carries a Fairtrade claim for its chocolate or cocoa, rather than relying on its flavour or a general impression of sustainability.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Biscuit buyers checking allergens
Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging, including any warnings about nuts or sesame in a chocolate spritz biscuit.
Choosing by flavour and portion size
Compare a milk chocolate spritz biscuit, a dark chocolate version and a plain butter spritz biscuit to enjoy with coffee or cake, and consider the portion size and nutritional information.
What should you look for in a spritz biscuit?
Before choosing a spritz biscuit to enjoy with coffee or cake, decide what matters most to you: a specific Fairtrade claim, the allergens listed on the label, or flavour and portion size.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade claim | Check whether the Fairtrade claim applies to the cocoa or chocolate in the exact product, and read any explanation about mass balance. | I want a spritz biscuit with chocolate that is explicitly labelled Fairtrade to enjoy with my coffee, not just one with a different cocoa certification. For around 50% of consumers, this is the main purchasing requirement. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients, allergens and any warnings on the current packaging. | If I need to avoid certain allergens, I want to know what the label says about this spritz biscuit. Around 30% of consumers make this their top priority. |
| Flavour and portion size | Compare milk chocolate, dark chocolate or no coating, and check the nutritional information per portion. | With coffee or cake, I want to choose either a chocolate-flavoured or plain spritz biscuit, and know how large my portion is. This is the most important consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking another cocoa certification for Fairtrade
Jumbo states that its Spritsen met Pure Chocolade contains Rainforest Alliance cocoa. This is not the same product claim as the Fairtrade milk chocolate that Albert Heijn lists for Verkade Nobo Sprits Melkchocolade.
If you’re specifically looking for Fairtrade, check the claim on the exact product rather than relying on the chocolate flavour or brand alone.
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Assuming mass balance means physical separation
Jumbo states that mass balance is used for the Fairtrade cocoa in Verkade Nobo Sprits Melkchocolade. Fairtrade International says this system is permitted for cocoa; the claim does not mean that all the cocoa has remained physically separate.
If physical traceability is a requirement for you, check whether the product states this separately.
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Relying only on online allergen information
The product information for Verkade Nobo Sprits Melkchocolade lists milk, wheat and soya, and warns that the product may contain nuts and sesame. Ingredients and label wording can change.
Check the current packaging before eating. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information for prepacked products must appear on the label.
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Reading a cocoa certification as a nutrition claim
A Fairtrade claim relates to the relevant trading and purchasing conditions, not the nutritional value of the spritz biscuit.
If you also want to compare products by their nutritional information, look separately at the portion size and the listed sugars and fats.
Brands compared
Verkade
Verkade Nobo Sprits Melkchocolade is the spritz biscuit in this comparison for which Albert Heijn lists Fairtrade milk chocolate.
- Albert Heijn lists 15% milk chocolate; Jumbo explains that mass balance is used for the Fairtrade cocoa.
- The product contains milk, wheat and soya, and may contain nuts and sesame. Check the current label if these allergens are relevant to you.
Jumbo
Jumbo Spritsen met Pure Chocolade is an option to compare if you prefer dark chocolate.
- Jumbo states that this product contains 18% dark chocolate and Rainforest Alliance cocoa.
- The Rainforest Alliance claim is not a Fairtrade claim. The product information lists allergens including egg, gluten, milk and soya.
Albert Heijn
AH Spritsen offers a plain butter version to compare with the chocolate spritz biscuits.
- Albert Heijn states that AH Spritsen contains 29% butter.
- The product information does not list a Fairtrade chocolate claim. The product contains milk and wheat; check the packaging for information about other allergens too.
Spritz biscuits on Joybuy
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Which spritz biscuit lists Fairtrade chocolate?
Albert Heijn describes Verkade Nobo Sprits Melkchocolade as a spritz biscuit with Fairtrade milk chocolate and lists 15% milk chocolate. Check the claim on the current packaging when you buy it.
Can Fairtrade cocoa always be traced as physically separate?
No. A Fairtrade claim does not automatically mean the cocoa has remained physically separate. Jumbo states that mass balance is used for Verkade Nobo Sprits Melkchocolade. Fairtrade International explains that, under this system, certified and non-certified ingredients can be mixed in the cocoa supply chain, while equivalent volumes are traded under Fairtrade terms.
Which allergens should I check in Verkade Nobo Sprits Melkchocolade?
The product information lists milk, wheat and soya, and warns that the product may contain nuts and sesame. Check the current label before eating, even if you’ve looked at the ingredients online before.
How should I store the milk chocolate spritz biscuits after opening?
Store Verkade Nobo Sprits Melkchocolade in a cool, dry place and reseal the packaging after opening. This is stated in the product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo.