{"id":4330,"date":"2023-05-11T13:34:55","date_gmt":"2023-05-11T11:34:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hands-off.com\/?page_id=4330"},"modified":"2025-10-28T11:31:30","modified_gmt":"2025-10-28T10:31:30","slug":"faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hands-off.com\/en\/faq\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQ"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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FAQ<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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General<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhere does the name Hands Off come from?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

Of course you don’t want to share chocolate that\u2019s really super delicious. But do you always have the guts to admit it? That’s why we started our brand in 2013 under the name Hands Off My Chocolate: so we could say it for you. Ain\u2019t that nice? At the beginning of 2023 we changed course and decided to only make plant-based chocolate and thus fight for chocolate that does not melt the earth. To reinforce this choice, we changed our brand name to Hands Off. Because: not only Hands Off My Chocolate, but also Hands Off Our Planet!<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Hands Off chocolate bars are available in the following supermarkets: Albert Heijn, Jumbo, Vomar, Plus, Deka, Spar, and Picnic. The offer may differ per supermarket chain and per store.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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We don’t understand that either! ;-) It can help to contact the customer service at the supermarket’s head office about this by sending them a message via social media.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Ingredients<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhere does your cocoa come from?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

Our cocoa comes from Ghana and Ivory Coast. We work together with farmers’ cooperatives in Ghana and Ivory Coast. The cocoa farmers who are members of these cooperatives receive a premium price for their cocoa and receive impactful training and support.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDoes your chocolate contain gluten or other allergens?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

Some chocolates contain or may contain traces of gluten, nuts, soy or other allergens, so it’s important to check the ingredients list. If a product contains allergens, you will find these in bold in the ingredients list on the website with the product and on the packaging. You can also find traces that the product may contain here. Even though our products are plant-based, they may contain traces of milk (lactose)!<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAre your products lactose free?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

All our products are 100% plant-based and therefore contain no milk or lactose in terms of recipe. But because our products are made in a factory where other products with milk are also produced, they may contain traces of milk\/lactose!<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAre your products peanut free?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

Our chocolate bars are peanut free. Our Bites are not!<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Plant-based chocolate<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat is plant-based chocolate and what makes it different from conventional chocolate?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

Plant-based chocolate is made without milk and other animal products, while conventional chocolate often contains milk powder. It is therefore a vegan option for chocolate lovers who do not want to consume animal products. For example, to reduce their impact on the environment or because of animal suffering.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat ingredients are used to make plant-based chocolate?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

Like most chocolates, our plant-based chocolate is made with cocoa butter, cocoa powder and sugar. Instead of cow\u2019s milk, we use sunflower seed powder, which is known for its ability to mimic the creaminess of milk. To make our chocolate even more delicious, we add a secret ingredient: hazelnut praline. It adds an extra touch of creaminess, and together all the flavors make sure you won\u2019t miss the milk at all!<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAre your plant-based chocolates vegan?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

Yes. We also do not add honey, beeswax or other animal products to our chocolates, so our chocolate is completely vegan.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIs plant-based chocolate healthier than conventional chocolate?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

Plant-based chocolate can be healthier than conventional chocolate if it contains less sugar and saturated fats. However, it is still a treat and should be consumed in moderation.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat about traces of milk?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

Our chocolates may contain traces of milk because the products are made on the same product line as cow’s milk chocolate. It would be absolutely unsustainable to clean the whole line especially for our choco. We do try to limit contamination as much as possible and all ingredients are of course vegan. This is therefore not a problem for most vegans.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow sustainable is vegan chocolate?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

In general, vegan chocolate is more sustainable than ‘regular’ chocolate because it reduces the dependence on animal products in the chocolate industry. Vegan chocolate is produced without the use of milk or other dairy products, reducing the greenhouse gas emissions associated with raising livestock. As a result, our chocolate emits more than 40% less CO2e than cow’s milk chocolate! But as with all foods, there are also sustainability challenges in the production of vegan chocolate. For example, cocoa production can lead to deforestation, soil exhaustion and loss of biodiversity. To further improve the sustainability of our chocolate, we are committed to sustainable farming practices and cocoa traceability. We also fight deforestation together with farmers.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tYour Soft Core chocolate bars contain ChoViva. What is that exactly?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

ChoViva is a type of chocolate, but without the cocoa. Instead of cocoa beans, it\u2019s made from sunflower seeds that are cleverly fermented to taste almost exactly like real chocolate. The great thing is: because there\u2019s no cocoa involved, it emits up to 80% less CO\u2082 than regular milk chocolate. And since we use ChoViva in the filling of three of our Soft Core bars, they\u2019re a lot more sustainable. Without you even noticing the difference in taste.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Sustainability<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat does kg CO2e mean?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

\u201cKG CO2e\u201d stands for \u201cKilograms of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent\u201d. It is a unit of measurement used to express the amount of greenhouse gasses emitted by a particular activity or process. The term \u201cCO2e\u201d refers to the amount of carbon dioxide equivalents released in the emission of various greenhouse gasses, such as methane and nitrous oxide. Converting the amount of greenhouse gasses emitted to an equivalent in CO2 makes it possible to express the total impact of the emissions on the climate in a single unit of measurement. In short, KG CO2e is a unit of measurement used to express the amount of greenhouse gasses released during a particular activity, such as the production and transport of goods, including the emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow did you calculate your climate footprint?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t
We have our climate footprint calculated by CarbonCloud. CarbonCloud is a company that specializes in measuring the climate impact of food and providing solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. CarbonCloud’s climate footprint calculations are based on a science-based lifecycle assessment that maps all processes involved in food production and transportation, taking into account the latest insights and data on greenhouse gas emissions. For more information on how they calculate this, or if you want to know what the Climate Footprint of other products is, you can take a look at their Climate Hub<\/a><\/span>.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIs your packaging sustainable and environmentally friendly?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

We get a lot of questions about our plastic packaging. At the moment, plastic packaging is the most sustainable option for us, looking at the alternatives that are available now and also the packaging options in our factory. Of course we are always looking for alternatives. For example, we are often asked why we do not use bioplastic. This is foil made from wood fibers or another natural raw material and therefore, in theory, compostable. Unfortunately, waste processing is not yet equipped to compost these plastics (because they compost in a much longer time than the composters currently allow the green waste to compost), which means that the films are fished out and burned afterwards. These films are also not recyclable, so they cannot be included in the recycling process of plastic packaging. With a view to a circular economy in which you reuse materials, this is certainly not a more sustainable solution. For this, fresh wood must be used for every packaging. That is why we have decided, as long as there is no better alternative, to stick to plastic packaging for the time being. We have, however, reduced plastic by 25% by using thinner materials and our films are made from one type of plastic (polypropylene), making them 100% recyclable. So if you throw them neatly with the plastic waste, the packaging can be recycled and used for something else. But we also recognize the problem of plastic and hope that a good alternative will be found soon. Do you have a tip? Let us know! Would you like to know more about (sustainable) packaging? Check out the website of Milieu Centraal or the Knowledge Institute for Sustainable Packaging.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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SUSTAINABLE COOKIES<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Oaty cookies contain 30% less sugar, how does that work?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

Our Oaty cookies are a little different from what you might be used to. They contain 30% less sugar than our other chocolate chip cookies and also less than a few supermarket brands:<\/p>