Who are these options for?

Hosts who want to make several cups

A chocolate drink powder with clear serving instructions makes it easier to organise. Check that the Fairtrade certification applies to the exact product you’re buying.

Anyone who prefers a stronger cocoa flavour

Compare the stated cocoa content with the ingredients list. The cocoa percentage alone doesn’t tell you everything about the flavour of the finished drink or its nutritional values.

Hosts who prefer to control the sugar

Pure, unsweetened cocoa lets you add milk and sugar separately to suit your guests’ preferences. It takes more preparation than a ready-mixed powder.

What should you look for?

When choosing Fairtrade hot chocolate to serve to friends, first check the certification shown on the product. Then consider whether the recipe and format suit the way you like to prepare your cups.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Fairtrade certification Look for a label or certification claim on the exact product, rather than relying solely on a general promise from the brand. If I tell my guests that the hot chocolate is Fairtrade, I want to be able to identify the certification that applies to the powder I’m serving. Around 36% of consumers put this proof first.
Cocoa flavour Compare the stated cocoa content, ingredients and recommended amount for the recipe you’ve chosen. If I want to serve a drink with a stronger cocoa flavour, I want to know whether I’m choosing a chocolate drink powder or pure cocoa that needs preparing. This would be the priority for around 29% of consumers.
Sugars and allergens Check the sugars per 100 g, the ingredients list and allergen information, including ‘may contain’ warnings. When guests’ dietary preferences or requirements matter, I want to know what’s in the powder and what I’ll be adding to each cup. Around 21% of consumers would make this their priority.
Serving and quantity Check the net weight, serving size per cup and preparation steps before working out how much you’ll need. If I’m preparing several cups during dinner, I prefer a format and recipe that are easy to organise. Serving would be the main consideration for around 14% of consumers.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Confusing ‘organic’ with ‘Fairtrade’

    Organic certification or a high cocoa content doesn’t, on its own, prove that a product is Fairtrade certified. Max Havelaar France sets out specific criteria for the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar label.

    Check the certification shown on the packaging of the powder you plan to serve.

  • Judging sugar content by the word ‘organic’ alone

    According to its product information, Chocolat en Poudre Bio Carrefour Bio contains 68 g of added sugars per 100 g. By contrast, the sugar content of pure, unsweetened cocoa powder doesn’t tell you how much sugar will be in the prepared drink.

    Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and take into account any sugar added to each cup.

  • Overlooking allergen cross-contamination warnings

    The product information for Monbana’s 1 kg product mentions possible traces of gluten, milk, soya, eggs, celery, sulphites and tree nuts. This could matter if one of your guests has an allergy.

    Ask about dietary requirements before dinner and check the information on the packaging you buy.

  • Mistaking a labelling rule for a measure of quality

    The European Commission distinguishes between nutrition declarations and additional food information provided voluntarily. So Nutri-Score is no substitute for checking the ingredients, sugars and allergens in a powder.

    Check the nutritional values for the exact product. If it displays a Nutri-Score, treat it as additional information.

Brands to consider

ETHIQUABLE

Auchan lists two products that let you compare an instant organic powder stated to contain at least 50% cocoa with pure, unsweetened organic cocoa.

  • Auchan’s product information states that the ingredients in these products come from Fairtrade and organic farming.
  • With pure cocoa, you’ll need to add the other ingredients yourself. Its sugar content as a powder won’t necessarily match that of the prepared drink.

Monbana

The product listed by POMONA EpiSaveurs is a 1 kg tin of organic chocolate powder, stated to contain at least 32% cocoa and bearing the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar label.

  • The product information states that the full weight of the ingredients in this product complies with Fairtrade/Max Havelaar standards.
  • It also lists 68 g of sugars per 100 g and possible traces of several allergens. Check these details before choosing it for your guests.

Bio Village

E.Leclerc lists a 500 g pack of Bio Village organic cocoa powder, stated to contain 32% cocoa and bearing the Max Havelaar label.

  • The pack size, stated cocoa content and Max Havelaar label make it easy to identify the product for comparison.
  • Before serving it, check the ingredients, sugars and allergen information on the product you buy.

Joybuy products

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can you tell if hot chocolate is Fairtrade?

Look for recognisable certification on the exact product, such as the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar label, and check the packaging. Max Havelaar France associates this label with social, economic and environmental criteria. The word ‘organic’ alone doesn’t certify that a product is Fairtrade.

Does the French tax on sugary drinks apply to hot chocolate powder?

A dry powder shouldn’t automatically be treated as a taxable sugary drink. The legislation published by Légifrance for the relevant levy applies to drinks and liquid preparations for drinks. When choosing a powder, consider its sugar content separately from this tax question.

Does a pack of chocolate powder in France have to display Nutri-Score?

No, displaying Nutri-Score isn’t compulsory. The European Commission distinguishes between the nutrition declaration, which is generally required for prepacked foods, and additional information provided voluntarily. You can compare the sugars and other nutritional values shown on the products you’re considering.

How can you let guests add sugar to taste?

Choose pure, unsweetened cocoa and serve sugar separately so everyone can sweeten their cup to taste. Auchan’s product information for ETHIQUABLE pure cocoa suggests preparing it with heated milk and adding sugar afterwards. Also check the ingredients and allergen information for anything you serve with the cocoa.