If Fairtrade chocolate matters to you when enjoying a Dutch egg cake on a terrace, check the specific chocolate product or chocolate-coated egg cake for the FAIRTRADE mark and the claim that goes with it. An ordinary egg cake does not become Fairtrade-certified just because you have chosen to eat it with Fairtrade chocolate. Also compare the type and portion size of the cake, and check the latest ingredients and allergen information.
You want to know which product or ingredient a Fairtrade claim applies to when choosing chocolate or cocoa for a relaxing moment on the terrace. According to Fairtrade International, use of the FAIRTRADE mark depends on the applicable product requirements; a general claim about a brand is no substitute for checking.
You make a conscious choice between a plain Dutch egg cake and a chocolate version, perhaps to enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea. Jumbo lists both types in its range.
You want to know what’s in your Dutch egg cake before buying, especially if you’re ordering an unwrapped one on a terrace. For a packaged product, check the latest label; for an unwrapped product, ask for allergen information.
First decide whether you want chocolate in your Dutch egg cake or on the side. If Fairtrade cocoa matters to you, check the claim on the specific product that contains the cocoa.
A good choice if: you want a Dutch egg cake without a chocolate coating to enjoy with your drink.
Bear in mind: this choice on its own doesn’t tell you whether it meets your preference for Fairtrade cocoa.
A good choice if: you want the chocolate as part of the cake.
Bear in mind: having chocolate in the product name says nothing about the Fairtrade status of the cocoa.
A good choice if: you want to choose the cake and chocolate separately.
Bear in mind: a Fairtrade claim on the chocolate does not automatically apply to the egg cake as well.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade claim for cocoa | Look for the FAIRTRADE mark and check which product or ingredient the accompanying claim applies to. | If Fairtrade cocoa is my main requirement, I want to be able to check the claim on the chocolate egg cake or the chocolate on the side. Around 42% of consumers prioritise this check. |
| Type and portion size of the cake | Choose between plain, mini, wholemeal and chocolate varieties, and compare the portion size and nutritional information for the specific product. | When choosing something to go with a drink, I mainly want a type and portion size that suit the occasion. This is the most important consideration for around 33% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the latest label or, before ordering an unwrapped Dutch egg cake, ask for allergen information. | If ingredients or allergens are decisive for me, I need clear information before I order. This is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
A chocolate version contains chocolate, but the product name doesn’t tell you the terms under which the cocoa was sourced.
Check the FAIRTRADE mark and accompanying claim on the packaging of the cake you’re buying. Fairtrade International sets requirements for use of the mark.
A shop that sells Fairtrade products may also offer egg cakes that aren’t covered by that claim. A category in the product range doesn’t prove the status of an individual product.
Check the packaging or the latest product information for the specific egg cake you’re considering.
Ingredients and allergen information can change. Albert Heijn also points this out in the product information for AH Eierkoeken.
For a packaged cake, check the current label. Before ordering an unwrapped Dutch egg cake on a terrace, ask for allergen information.
These brands offer useful options for comparing types of Dutch egg cake; always check any Fairtrade claim on the individual product.
Albert Heijn lists AH Eierkoeken in its range of Dutch egg cakes.
Jumbo lists plain, mini and wholemeal egg cakes, among other options, as well as a separate chocolate version.
Bolletje describes its Brosse Eierkoek Kaneel as a crisp-textured version with a layer of milk and cinnamon.
Look for the FAIRTRADE mark and accompanying claim on the packaging of the specific chocolate egg cake or chocolate product. For products made up of several ingredients, Fairtrade International specifies which ingredients fall under the certification requirements, so check exactly what the claim applies to.
Yes. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for unwrapped products can be provided in ways other than on a label, including verbally. Before ordering, ask how you can get this information and ask for clarification if anything is unclear.
Read the allergen statement and ingredients list on the latest packaging, paying particular attention to ingredients that are relevant to you. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority lists egg, milk and cereals containing gluten among the allergens that must be declared. Ingredients vary by product.
No, you can’t tell from the product name alone. Compare the portion size and nutritional information per 100 g and per portion for the products you’re considering. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that the nutritional values of Dutch egg cakes can vary by brand.
