Who are these biscuits for?

Vegan shoppers who read labels carefully

You want to avoid animal-derived ingredients, so you check the ingredients on the specific pack. A dark colour or the word ‘plain’ isn’t enough.

Fans of rich dark chocolate flavour

You’re looking for a pronounced chocolate flavour and want to know whether a percentage refers to the amount of chocolate in the biscuit or the cocoa content of the chocolate.

Vegan shoppers with a food allergy

As well as checking the ingredients, you look at which allergens the biscuit contains or may contain. A vegan description doesn’t replace this check.

What should you check when choosing?

Start by checking whether the specific variety is suitable for vegans. Then look at the chocolate details, allergen information and current availability, according to what matters most to you.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Vegan ingredients Read the ingredients list on the specific pack and check whether that variety carries a vegan label. If I’m buying vegan biscuits, I want to know whether this particular variety contains no animal-derived ingredients. For around 40% of consumers, vegan suitability matters most.
Dark chocolate flavour Check whether a percentage refers to the proportion of chocolate in the biscuit or the cocoa content of the chocolate; only compare like with like. I’m looking for a pronounced dark chocolate flavour and don’t want to rely on the word ‘dark’ alone. For around 30% of consumers, flavour comes first.
Allergens Read both the listed allergens and any warnings about possible traces on the current pack. If I have a food allergy, I want to be able to judge whether I can eat the biscuit, even if it’s described as vegan. For around 20% of consumers, allergen information is the top priority.
Availability Check the range at your chosen shop; an existing product page doesn’t confirm that the item is still available to buy there. Once I’ve found a suitable biscuit, I want to know whether I can buy it at my chosen shop. Around 10% of consumers put current availability first.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘dark’ or ‘plain’ means a biscuit is vegan

    ALDI describes its Biscotto chocolate biscuits as butter biscuits with dark, white and milk chocolate. So having dark chocolate in the product name doesn’t make a biscuit vegan.

    Check the ingredients and look for a vegan label, if there is one, on the specific pack.

  • Confusing vegan with suitable for people with allergies

    Jumbo’s listing for Koeckebackers Dark Chocolate Cookies mentions possible traces of milk, lactose, nuts, peanuts and sesame. This is relevant even if another retailer describes the biscuit as vegan.

    If you have an allergy, base your choice on the full allergen information on the pack you’re buying.

  • Comparing the proportion of chocolate with a cocoa percentage

    The percentage of chocolate in a biscuit doesn’t mean the same thing as the cocoa percentage of chocolate. You can’t make a like-for-like flavour comparison based on those two figures alone.

    Check what each percentage refers to and only compare the same type of figure.

  • Assuming a product page confirms an item is in stock

    Jumbo provides information about Koeckebackers Dark Chocolate Cookies 132 g, but also says that the item is no longer part of its online range.

    Before buying, check the current range at the shop where you plan to order or shop.

Brands and shops to explore

Koeckebackers

The Dark Chocolate Cookie is a good starting point if you’re looking for a biscuit explicitly described as vegan and made with dark chocolate.

  • InstockMarket describes the Koeckebackers Dark Chocolate Cookie as vegan and states that it contains 25% dark chocolate.
  • For Koeckebackers Dark Chocolate Cookies 132 g, Jumbo states that the biscuits contain 20% chocolate and may contain, among other things, milk and nuts. Check the details on the pack you’re buying.

AH Terra

A range from Albert Heijn to explore when you’re looking for plant-based products.

  • Albert Heijn presents AH Terra as a plant-based range.
  • Check the ingredients of each individual chocolate biscuit; the range name doesn’t prove that a specific variety is vegan.

Lotus Biscoff

A biscuit range for anyone looking for a caramelised biscuit, rather than a choice for dark chocolate flavour in its own right.

  • Lotus Bakeries describes Biscoff as a crunchy, caramelised biscuit.
  • Check any chocolate variety separately for its ingredients and chocolate details.

Biscotto bij ALDI

An example of why chocolate described as ‘plain’ doesn’t prove a biscuit is vegan.

  • ALDI describes these chocolate biscuits as butter biscuits with dark, white and milk chocolate.
  • The variety described isn’t a vegan option.

Jumbo

A shop listing where you can check the product details for Koeckebackers Dark Chocolate Cookies 132 g.

  • Jumbo provides the ingredients, allergen information and nutritional information for this item.
  • Jumbo says the item is no longer part of its online range; this doesn’t tell you whether it’s in stock at a physical shop.

Related products at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is a biscuit labelled ‘plain’ or ‘dark’ vegan?

Not necessarily: those words don’t rule out animal-derived ingredients. For example, ALDI describes chocolate biscuits with dark chocolate as butter biscuits that also contain white and milk chocolate. So read the ingredients for the specific variety.

Where can I find allergen information for packaged biscuits?

Check the pack label. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked foods; also check for any warnings about possible traces.

Could a biscuit described as vegan still be unsuitable for someone with a milk allergy?

Yes. A vegan description doesn’t rule out warnings about possible traces. For Koeckebackers Dark Chocolate Cookies, Jumbo mentions possible traces of milk and lactose; if you have an allergy, check the current pack of the product you want to buy.

How should I store dark chocolate biscuits after buying them?

Follow the storage instructions on the pack. For Koeckebackers Dark Chocolate Cookies, Jumbo recommends storing them in an airtight container; InstockMarket advises keeping the Dark Chocolate Cookie in a cool, dry place.