Hosts who want to serve Fairtrade cocoa
You want to explain your Fairtrade choice with coffee without wrongly suggesting that the egg cake is Fairtrade too. So check the claim on the chocolate or coffee itself.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Organisers who consider portions and nutritional value
You want to offer a sweet snack while also considering how the portion fits in with what your guests eat throughout the day. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights the importance of getting enough nutrients and protein in later life.
Planners who check allergens in advance
You ask which ingredients matter to your guests and read the allergen information for the variety you choose. For example, Bolletje Brosse Eierkoek Kaneel lists wheat, egg, soya and milk.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide which egg cake and portion are right for your guests. Then check separately whether the chocolate you’d like to serve with it carries a Fairtrade claim.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade claim | Check exactly which product carries the Fairtrade claim: the chocolate, the coffee or the egg cake. | If I want to consciously serve Fairtrade cocoa with coffee, I don’t want to suggest that the egg cake is Fairtrade too. Around 33% of consumers give this check top priority. |
| Portion and nutritional value | Compare the weight per portion and the nutritional information for the variety you choose, including energy, sugars, fibre and protein. | For a regular coffee break, I want to know how an egg cake fits in with what my guests eat throughout the day. Around 27% of consumers prioritise this consideration. |
| Allergens | Ask which allergens are relevant to your guests and read the latest ingredient and allergen information on the packaging. | When several guests are eating together, I want to avoid serving a variety that isn’t suitable for someone. Around 20% of consumers give this need top priority. |
| Flavour and texture | Choose from the varieties available based on your guests’ preferences, and check the shop’s range. | If my guests have different preferences, I want to choose an egg cake they’ll enjoy with their coffee. This is the main priority for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking Fairtrade chocolate for a Fairtrade egg cake
A Fairtrade claim on a chocolate bar supports a claim about that chocolate, not the egg cake you serve with it.
Describe the products separately. Only call the egg cake Fairtrade if the information for that specific product confirms it.
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Thinking of an egg cake as a substitute for a nutritious snack
Portion size and the rest of someone’s diet still matter. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that older adults need enough nutrients and protein, and that a cake isn’t automatically a suitable substitute for other foods.
Consider the portion weight and nutritional information for the egg cake alongside what your guests eat throughout the day.
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Relying only on the front of the packaging
Ingredients, allergens and nutritional values vary between products. A familiar brand name won’t tell you what information appears on the packaging of the product you’ve chosen.
Before serving, read the latest ingredients list, allergen information and nutritional details for the exact variety.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers several varieties of egg cake and also sells chocolate separately with a Fairtrade claim.
- The egg cake range includes mini, wholemeal, spelt and raisin varieties.
- The Fairtrade claim on AH Biologisch Reep extra puur does not apply to its egg cakes.
Bolletje
Bolletje Brosse Eierkoek Kaneel is a crumbly variety with a milk coating and cinnamon.
- Bolletje lists free-range eggs as an ingredient in this variety.
- The allergen information includes wheat, egg, soya and milk. For a Fairtrade claim, check the packaging of the exact product separately.
Verkade
Verkade is relevant here as a possible chocolate brand to serve alongside egg cake, not as an egg cake brand.
- Verkade states that the cocoa in its chocolate bars and chocolate letters is Fairtrade; Verkade Reep Puur carries a Fairtrade Cacao claim.
- A Fairtrade claim on Verkade chocolate does not apply to a separately purchased egg cake.
Chocolate to serve with egg cake
This chocolate bar is a separate option if you’d like to serve chocolate as well as egg cakes with afternoon coffee. Check the Fairtrade claim on the bar itself and choose the egg cakes separately.
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Tony's Chocolonely Milk Pecan Caramel, 180 g
A separate chocolate bar to serve with egg cake; a Fairtrade claim on the chocolate doesn’t automatically apply to the egg cake.
Before serving, check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Is an egg cake Fairtrade if I serve it with Fairtrade chocolate?
No. The Fairtrade claim on the chocolate doesn’t automatically apply to the egg cake. To make a claim about the egg cake, check the packaging or product information for that specific product.
Is an egg cake suitable every day with afternoon coffee for older adults?
It depends on the portion and what else someone eats. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre emphasises the importance of getting enough nutrients and protein in later life. So compare the nutritional information for the egg cake you choose, and don’t treat it as a substitute for other foods.
Should I always choose a wholemeal egg cake?
No, don’t choose based on the wholemeal label alone. Compare the portion weight, nutritional information and allergens of the varieties you’re considering. The example values for standard and wholemeal egg cakes from the Netherlands Nutrition Centre are based on different portion sizes, so they aren’t a direct product comparison.
How do I check allergens before serving egg cakes?
Ask which allergens are relevant to your guests and check the latest packaging for the exact variety. For its Brosse Eierkoek Kaneel, Bolletje lists wheat, egg, soya and milk among the allergens present. Don’t apply this information to other egg cakes without checking them first.