Shoppers who prioritise Fairtrade
They look for an explicit Fairtrade statement on the chocolate they serve and don’t mind pairing the egg cakes and chocolate themselves.
Who might find this choice useful?
Shoppers who want to serve quickly
They want a ready-made chocolate egg cake and check whether it’s available and which cocoa certification appears on the current packaging.
Shoppers serving guests
Before sharing, they want to check the ingredients and allergens in both the egg cakes and chocolate, including egg, cereals containing gluten, milk, soya and any traces of nuts.
What should you look for when choosing?
Egg cakes with chocolate on the side
When to choose it: choose this combination if you want to check the Fairtrade statement on the chocolate separately.
The trade-off: you buy the items separately and arrange the chocolate on the sharing platter yourself.
Ready-made chocolate egg cake
When to consider it: consider this option if you want something ready to serve and the current packaging displays the Fairtrade claim you’re looking for.
The trade-off: the chocolate egg cakes described by Jumbo carry the UTZ Certified cocoa mark, not a Fairtrade claim, and are no longer listed in its online range.
When choosing egg cakes and Fairtrade chocolate for a get-together, your main priority will determine what information to check first.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade statement | Look for an explicit Fairtrade statement on the chocolate product you choose. Also read any information about mass balance. | If Fairtrade chocolate is my main priority, I want to be able to check the claim on the product itself. For around 50% of shoppers, a product-specific statement comes first. |
| Ease of serving | Choose between a ready-made product and separate items. If you opt for a ready-made version, check that it’s currently available. | Anyone looking to add something sweet to a sharing platter without extra preparation will prefer an option that’s ready to serve. This is the main consideration for roughly 30% of shoppers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current labels on both items, including information about possible traces of allergens. | When I’m serving guests, I want to know which ingredients and allergens are in the food I’m sharing. For around 20% of shoppers, this check comes first. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming a general cocoa policy means a product carries the Fairtrade mark
ALDI mentions several certifications in its cocoa sourcing policy. A general policy like this doesn’t tell you which certification applies to an individual chocolate product.
If Fairtrade is a requirement for you, look for an explicit statement on the current packaging of the chocolate you choose.
-
Assuming an old product page means an item is still available
The Jumbo pages we checked say that the chocolate egg cakes in question are no longer part of its online range.
Before buying, check with your chosen retailer to see whether the product is available and whether the product information still matches the packaging.
-
Overlooking allergens when sharing a platter
Egg cakes and chocolate can contain ingredients that matter to your guests, such as egg, cereals containing gluten, milk, soya or nuts.
Read the labels on the products you’re actually serving, including any warnings about possible traces.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
An example of plain egg cakes and separate chocolate that you can pair yourself.
- The ingredients list for AH Eierkoeken doesn’t mention cocoa. Albert Heijn states that the required quantity of cocoa for its AH Biologisch Reep extra puur has been traded and checked as Fairtrade.
- The Fairtrade statement on the chocolate bar doesn’t automatically apply to the egg cakes.
Jumbo
An example of ready-made chocolate egg cakes, where you need to check the cocoa statement on each product.
- The product pages we checked mention UTZ Certified cocoa in chocolate egg cakes.
- This doesn’t confirm a Fairtrade claim. Jumbo also says these products are no longer part of its online range.
ALDI
An example of plain egg cakes alongside a general cocoa sourcing policy.
- ALDI lists Heerlijck Banket free-range egg cakes and describes its cocoa sourcing policy separately.
- The policy lists Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance and the EU Organic label as possibilities, but doesn’t confirm that the egg cakes mentioned contain Fairtrade chocolate.
Chocolate for a combination you put together yourself
This Joybuy selection includes a separate chocolate bar that you can serve alongside egg cakes bought separately. If the Fairtrade claim is a deciding factor for you, check the statement on the current packaging.
Image unavailable
Tony's Chocolonely Milk Pecan Caramel Chocolate Bar – 180 g
This chocolate bar can be served on a sharing platter alongside egg cakes bought separately. Before serving, check the Fairtrade statement and allergen information on the current packaging; the product name mentions pecan and milk.
Frequently asked questions
Does UTZ Certified cocoa mean that a chocolate egg cake is Fairtrade?
No. A UTZ Certified statement on its own doesn’t confirm a Fairtrade claim. The Jumbo chocolate egg cakes we checked mention UTZ Certified cocoa. If you’re looking for a Fairtrade option, check for an explicit Fairtrade statement on the product you choose.
How can I serve egg cakes with Fairtrade chocolate chosen separately?
Arrange plain egg cakes and pieces of a separately packaged chocolate bar alongside each other, or pair them as you serve. Keep the chocolate packaging so guests can check the product information, and make sure the Fairtrade statement appears on it before serving.
Which allergens should I check before sharing egg cakes and chocolate?
Check the labels on both products for egg, cereals containing gluten, milk, soya, nuts and any warnings about possible traces. The allergens present will depend on the specific egg cakes and chocolate you serve.