Only choose speculaas or speculoos for a vegan diet if the labelling or ingredients suit you. Check separately whether the Fairtrade claim appears on that product’s packaging. A vegan biscuit isn’t automatically Fairtrade, and for products made with several ingredients, the certification explanation may state which ingredients the claim applies to.
They’re looking for a biscuit whose vegan suitability and Fairtrade claim they can both check on the packaging. For products made with several ingredients, Fairtrade Nederland also recommends reading the explanation alongside the certification mark.
They want speculaas or speculoos labelled vegan to enjoy with a coffee or on the go, and also check the allergens and any Fairtrade claim on the pack they choose.
They want to check whether each ingredient, such as cocoa or chocolate, carries a Fairtrade label, and make sure their recipe contains no animal-derived ingredients.
Start with the ingredients or vegan label on the biscuit, then check the Fairtrade claim on the same pack. If you’re baking from scratch, you can carry out these checks for each ingredient you choose.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Vegan suitability and allergens | Read the vegan label or ingredients list, and check the allergen information separately. | When I choose a biscuit to have with my coffee, I want to know whether it suits my vegan diet and which allergens it contains. This check is a priority for around 45% of consumers. |
| Fairtrade claim on the biscuit | Look for the certification mark on the packaging. For a product made with several ingredients, also read the explanation about the ingredients and sourcing. Fairtrade Nederland advises checking the back of the pack when the logo includes an arrow. | A retailer’s general statement about cocoa doesn’t tell me whether my pack of speculaas carries a Fairtrade claim. Product-specific clarity comes first for around 33% of consumers. |
| Choosing your own ingredients | Check the Fairtrade label for each ingredient and see whether the recipe contains butter, milk or eggs. | When baking my own version, I want to choose the ingredients myself, even if that takes longer to prepare. This is the main priority for around 22% of consumers. |
Albert Heijn says that the cocoa in its own-brand products is Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade certified. That doesn’t mean that every pack of speculaas, or a product from another brand, carries a Fairtrade claim.
Check the certification mark and its accompanying explanation on the packaging of the product you want to buy.
The recipe for filled speculaas published by Jumbo contains butter, milk and eggs. The ingredients in another recipe or packaged product may be different.
Read the ingredients on the product you choose, or use a recipe without animal-derived ingredients when baking.
Speculaas and speculoos labelled vegan may contain ingredients such as wheat or soya, or carry warnings about nuts and sesame. Vegan suitability doesn’t answer the question of allergens.
Always check the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging you choose.
Albert Heijn labels Lotus Biscoff Original as suitable for vegans.
Albert Heijn describes BioToday Spelt speculoos biscuits as vegan and organic.
Jumbo labels its Speculaasbrokken as plant-based and also publishes recipes for baking speculaas at home.
Albert Heijn provides information about biscuits labelled vegan and the sourcing of cocoa for its own-brand products.
These products are suited to anyone looking for ready-to-eat speculoos labelled vegan: a biscuit and a spread. If you’re looking for a Fairtrade product, check the claim on the individual product’s packaging. A spread is not a substitute for speculaas biscuits.
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A ready-to-eat biscuit to enjoy with a coffee or on the go; the product description says it’s suitable for vegans.
The product information lists wheat and soya. Check the current allergen information and any Fairtrade claim on the packaging.
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For anyone looking for speculoos spread labelled vegan to enjoy on bread; this isn’t a speculaas or speculoos biscuit.
The product information lists gluten from wheat and soya. Check the current allergen information and any Fairtrade claim on the jar.
No. Vegan suitability and Fairtrade are two different things. Check the vegan label or ingredients, then look for a Fairtrade claim on the packaging of the biscuit you choose.
According to Fairtrade Nederland, if a Fairtrade logo includes an arrow, you should also read the back of the packaging for information about the ingredients and sourcing. This matters for products made with several ingredients, such as biscuits: check exactly what the claim applies to.
Yes. A vegan label doesn’t mean a product is free from allergens. Read the current packaging; Voedingscentrum explains that common allergens must be clearly stated on the label.
Fairtrade chocolate confirms the Fairtrade status of that ingredient, not automatically that of all the ingredients or the finished product. Check the labels for each ingredient you choose separately.
No. Jumbo’s recipe for filled speculaas contains butter, milk and eggs. For a packaged product, read the ingredients, or choose a recipe without animal-derived ingredients when baking.
