Composite products
You eat them all the time! A composite product is any product that mixes multiple ingredients – like ice cream, cookies or chocolate bars.
Image © Miriam Ersch
Many Fairtrade products are self-contained – think coffee beans or bananas. But for products that combine ingredients, we have special rules that enable businesses to include Fairtrade ingredients in their recipes. This means Fairtrade farmers and workers benefit from increased sales opportunities.
Choosing Fairtrade products makes a difference
If you think about it, many of your favourite products are composite – a mosaic of different parts combined into a satisfying whole. Take ice cream: it mixes ingredients for which there are Fairtrade options (like cocoa, vanilla, sugar or fruits) and others, like milk, which Fairtrade doesn’t certify.
For farmers and workers producing the ‘raw ingredients’, composite products open up many new opportunities. The more sales they make on Fairtrade terms, the more benefits they see in their lives and communities.
For you, composite products simply mean a much greater variety of Fairtrade products.
And because the Fairtrade ingredients are certified according to same Fairtrade Standards, producers still receive all the same benefits.
For composite products to carry a FAIRTRADE Mark, they must contain at least a minimum amount of Fairtrade ingredients. Fairtrade requires businesses to transparently display the composition of Fairtrade and non-Fairtrade ingredients on the finished product’s packaging.
The bottom line is pretty simple: Same standards, same benefits, more opportunities for Fairtrade producers, and more choices for shoppers – what’s not to like?
Looking for Fairtrade Products?
Fairtrade products are widely available. The blue countries and territories on the map below have Fairtrade organizations that promote Fairtrade products. Their websites often include a product finder to show you the full variety of Fairtrade products near you. Even if there isn't a Fairtrade organization where you live, Fairtrade products may still be available – look for our familiar marks on products!