Is Fairtrade cocoa a must-have for your birthday get-together? If so, only choose a spiced cake with cocoa once the current packaging confirms that the ingredient has been sourced on Fairtrade terms. Fairtrade International explains that a mark on a composite product may apply to specific ingredients; the word ‘choco’ on its own is no proof. Then decide whether sliced cake or individually wrapped bars would be more convenient, and check the nutrition information and allergens for the exact variant.
You want to be able to confirm whether the cocoa or chocolate itself was sourced on Fairtrade terms. For a composite product, also read the explanation of the mark on the back of the pack, as advised by Fairtrade International.
You’re looking for a format that suits the occasion: sliced spiced cake for a sharing platter, or individually wrapped bars to hand out to each guest.
You want to check the sugars, fibre, salt, ingredients and allergens in the variant you choose. According to product information from Peijnenburg and Jumbo, serving sizes and ingredients vary between spiced cake variants.
Before your birthday get-together, first check whether the packaging confirms that any Fairtrade cocoa requirement you have is met. Then compare the serving format and nutrition information for the products that make the cut.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade cocoa | Look for the FAIRTRADE mark. If the pack has an arrow mark or a Fairtrade Sourced Ingredient mark, check which ingredients it applies to. | If the cocoa at my get-together has to be Fairtrade, I want to be able to check this for the cake I choose. Verifiable Fairtrade cocoa is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Serving format | Compare the number of slices or bars per pack, then choose between a platter for guests to help themselves or individual servings. | When serving guests, I want to know whether to put slices on a platter or offer individually wrapped bars. Around 29% of consumers prioritise ease of serving. |
| Sugars and sweeteners | Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and per serving. For variants with no added sugars, also check the sweeteners and polyols. | If I’m considering a variant with no added sugars, I want to know which ingredients are used instead. Around 21% of consumers give sugars and sweeteners the highest priority. |
| Fibre, salt and allergens | Compare the fibre and salt in the nutrition information, and read the allergen information for the exact variant. | If guests need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to be able to see what’s in the cake I choose. For around 14% of consumers, fibre, salt or allergens are the most important things to consider. |
A chocolate ingredient doesn’t tell you how the cocoa was sourced. Fairtrade International explains that a mark on a composite product may apply to specific ingredients identified on the packaging.
Check the current packaging and read which ingredients are Fairtrade.
Peijnenburg lists polyols in Tussendoor+ Choco and warns in its product information that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
As well as checking the claim, read the ingredients, serving size and any warnings on the packaging.
Peijnenburg Volkoren Gesneden lists 5.1 g of fibre and 39 g of sugars per 100 g. The fibre content therefore doesn’t tell you how much sugar the cake contains.
Check fibre and sugars separately in the nutrition information, ideally both per 100 g and per serving.
Peijnenburg offers both sliced spiced cake and individually wrapped cake bars.
Albert Heijn sells sliced spiced cake and also stocks products carrying the Fairtrade mark.
Jumbo offers a plain spiced cake and, according to Fairtrade Netherlands, stocks individual Fairtrade products too.
Fairtrade Netherlands describes the use of Fairtrade-certified cocoa in PLUS own-label products.
Check the packaging to see whether the Fairtrade mark also applies to the cocoa or chocolate. For a mark with an arrow, Fairtrade International advises reading the back of the pack for an explanation of the ingredients and sourcing method. The words ‘choco’ or ‘cocoa’ in the product name alone don’t confirm Fairtrade certification.
No. The mark on another product doesn’t automatically apply to the spiced cake. Fairtrade Netherlands lists Fairtrade products at various supermarkets, but if you want spiced cake with cocoa, check the mark on that specific pack.
Don’t assume so. Jumbo lists rye and wheat in its Ontbijtkoek Naturel and identifies gluten as an allergen. If you need a gluten-free option, check the current packaging of the exact variant for an explicit gluten-free label and allergen information.
Start with the servings listed on the pack, then decide whether each guest will have a portion or whether the cake will be one of several snacks. Peijnenburg lists 12 slices for Volkoren Gesneden and four individually wrapped bars for Tussendoor+ Choco; Jumbo lists around 11 servings for its 280 g Ontbijtkoek Naturel.
You can’t tell from the product category alone. The Dutch government describes an agreement in the Government Gazette encouraging the use of iodised salt in bread and bread substitutes; this doesn’t confirm what a specific spiced cake contains. If this matters to your purchase, read the ingredients list on the pack you choose.
