Parents who want to be able to identify Fairtrade products
You want to be able to see on the packaging which item in the party bag carries a Fairtrade mark or an explicit certification claim. Fairtrade Netherlands sets conditions for using its mark.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Organisers who need to check allergen requirements
Before packing, you want to know whether the ingredients and warnings on each product meet the children’s needs and the school’s requirements. Gluten-free does not automatically mean free from other allergens.
Parents who want to hand out portions quickly
You don’t want to slice and wrap each portion yourself. A pack of individual portions can make filling the bags easier.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether the cake itself needs to be Fairtrade-certified, or whether a separate chocolate item will do. Then check the allergen requirements and choose your preferred portion packaging.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade labelling | Check for a certification mark or explicit certification claim on the specific product. See whether it applies to the chocolate or the breakfast cake. | If I want to include Fairtrade, it needs to be clear which item in the bag carries the claim; around 40% of consumers prioritise being able to make a verifiable choice. |
| Allergens and school requirements | Ask about the school’s policy on treats and check the latest ingredients, allergens and possible presence warnings for each product. | If a child has an allergy, I don’t want to rely on the gluten-free label alone. For around 40% of consumers, suitability for the child and school comes first. |
| Easy to hand out | Compare the number of portions, the weight per portion and whether the slices are individually wrapped or simply pre-sliced. | If I have lots of bags to fill, I don’t want to slice and wrap every piece myself; around 20% of consumers give this ease of handing out the highest priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming chocolate means Fairtrade certification
Chocolate in a product name or a general sustainability message doesn’t tell you whether that specific product is Fairtrade-certified. Fairtrade Netherlands sets conditions for using its mark.
Check the packaging or current product page, and note whether the claim applies to the chocolate, the breakfast cake or both.
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Assuming gluten-free means free from all allergens
The product information for Jumbo Lekker Vrij gluten-free breakfast cake lists milk and lupin, as well as warnings about the possible presence of other allergens. So even if you choose a gluten-free product, you still need to check that it’s suitable for each child.
Check both the ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ information, and agree your choice with the parents and school.
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Assuming an individual portion is suitable
Individual wrapping makes treats easier to hand out, but says nothing about allergens or Fairtrade certification.
Use portion packaging as a practical point of comparison, but also check the latest label for the exact variety you’re buying.
Brands to help you choose
Peijnenburg
Dutch breakfast cake for anyone who wants to hand out individually wrapped portions.
- According to Peijnenburg, the Naturel 10-pack contains ten individually wrapped slices of 28 g.
- Check the allergen information and any Fairtrade claim on the packaging for this variety; individual wrapping doesn’t tell you whether it’s suitable.
Jumbo Lekker Vrij
A breakfast cake variety for situations where you specifically need a gluten-free option.
- Jumbo displays the Crossed Grain mark on its gluten-free breakfast cake.
- The product information also lists milk and lupin and warns about the possible presence of other allergens. Check the label for each child.
Lidl Way To Go
Chocolate as a separate item in a party bag, rather than as breakfast cake.
- According to Lidl, Way To Go products are Fairtrade-certified; check the label on the chocolate you choose.
- That claim doesn’t automatically apply to the breakfast cake you choose to go with it. Check the allergens and school requirements for both products.
Related Joybuy products
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is breakfast cake with chocolate automatically Fairtrade-certified?
No. Chocolate as an ingredient doesn’t confirm that the breakfast cake is Fairtrade-certified. Check the packaging or current product page for the specific product to see whether it displays an applicable certification mark or an explicit certification claim.
Can I give gluten-free breakfast cake to all children without checking anything else?
No. Gluten-free doesn’t mean free from other allergens. The product information for Jumbo Lekker Vrij gluten-free breakfast cake lists milk and lupin; also read the warnings on the latest label and check with parents and the school that the treat is suitable.
Are individual portions more convenient than a whole breakfast cake?
Individually wrapped portions save you time slicing and packing treats for party bags. According to Peijnenburg, the Naturel 10-pack contains ten portions of 28 g; even with this pack, check that the ingredients are suitable for the children receiving the treats.