Home bakers who want to check the Fairtrade claim
You want to choose the cocoa or chocolate yourself and check what the Fairtrade claim actually applies to before buying. Look at the product you’ve chosen, not just the name of the recipe.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Anyone looking to add the finishing touch to ready-made egg cakes
You want to skip baking the base and top, drizzle or dip egg cakes in chocolate you’ve chosen separately. The Fairtrade claim on that chocolate doesn’t automatically apply to the egg cakes too.
Bakers and eaters who need to check allergens
Check the ingredients and warnings about the possible presence of allergens in both the egg cake and the chocolate. A certification mark or cocoa percentage doesn’t replace this check.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether to bake the egg cakes yourself or add the finishing touch to ready-made ones. Then choose your cocoa or chocolate based on its Fairtrade claim, how you’ll use it and the allergen information.
Bake your own egg cakes
A good fit if: you’re making the batter and want to choose the cocoa or chocolate for the recipe yourself.
The trade-off: making the batter and baking take more work than adding the finishing touch to ready-made egg cakes. Don’t adapt a recipe without considering the proportions.
Add the finishing touch to ready-made egg cakes
A good fit if: you don’t want to bake egg cakes and would rather add the chocolate separately as a topping or dip.
The trade-off: you’ll also be choosing a separate egg cake base. The Fairtrade claim on the chocolate says nothing about whether that base is certified.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade claim | Check that the current packaging carries the claim for the cocoa or chocolate you’ve chosen. If physical separation of ingredients matters to you, also read the explanation of the supply-chain claim. | I want to be able to identify which ingredient is Fairtrade without applying that claim to the whole egg cake. This verifiable claim is the priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Use and flavour | Choose between cocoa powder for a recipe and a bar for chunks or a topping. Compare the listed ingredients and cocoa percentage of specific bars. | If I’m baking from scratch, I want to choose a type of chocolate that suits my recipe and preferred flavour. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this choice. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information for both the egg cake and the chocolate, including warnings about possible traces. | If I need to avoid certain allergens, I must be able to check both products before combining them. This is the biggest concern when buying for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming a chocolate topping certifies the whole egg cake
Albert Heijn doesn’t list cocoa among the ingredients in AH Eierkoeken. So adding Fairtrade chocolate later supports a claim about the chocolate, not the egg cake base.
Check the claims on both packs separately. If only the chocolate carries the claim, describe the result as egg cakes with Fairtrade chocolate.
-
Confusing mass balance with physical separation
For AH Biologisch Reep extra puur, Albert Heijn explains that certified and non-certified ingredients may be mixed during processing. For this product, the Fairtrade claim therefore doesn’t mean the ingredients have remained physically separate.
Read the explanation of the certification mark if the way the cocoa is sourced and processed affects your choice.
-
Looking only at the certification mark or cocoa percentage
Egg cakes and chocolate bars can contain different allergens. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information must appear on the label of pre-packed products.
Check the current packaging of both products to see what they contain and which allergens may be present.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Offers both AH Eierkoeken and a separate AH Biologisch Reep extra puur as part of this choice.
- Albert Heijn states that the extra-dark bar contains at least 72% cocoa and carries a Fairtrade claim, with an explanation of mass balance.
- Cocoa isn’t listed among the ingredients in AH Eierkoeken. The claim on the bar doesn’t automatically apply to the egg cake base.
Verkade
The Verkade Puur chocolate bar is a separate chocolate option if you want to add the finishing touch to egg cakes.
- The product information states that it contains at least 52% cocoa. Verkade says it chooses Fairtrade-certified cocoa for its chocolate bars.
- The product information warns that it may contain milk, hazelnuts and other nuts. The claim about this bar doesn’t apply to all Verkade products.
Lidl
The Way To Go chocolate range is worth considering if you’re looking for a bar with an explicit Fairtrade claim.
- Lidl describes Way To Go chocolate as fully Fairtrade-certified and says it pays an additional premium for the cocoa.
- These claims apply to the Way To Go range, not all Lidl chocolate. Check the variant you’ve chosen and its current packaging.
Jumbo
A place to look for separate cocoa and chocolate products, including Fairtrade Original Cacao Poeder in the Fair Trade category.
- Jumbo also lists Fairtrade Original chocolate sprinkles in this category.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and suitability for your intended use on the specific product page and packaging.
Bolletje
Brosse Eierkoek Kaneel is an example of a ready-made cake you can assess as a separate base.
- Bolletje describes the product as containing free-range eggs and a milk coating.
- The product information lists wheat, egg, soya and milk among its allergens. This doesn’t mean the product carries a Fairtrade cocoa claim.
Products for cocoa and chocolate
These products offer two separate options for egg cakes: cocoa powder if you’re baking from scratch, and a chocolate bar if you want to add the finishing touch to ready-made egg cakes. For both products, check the current Fairtrade claim and any information relevant to your preparation.
Image unavailable
Fairtrade Cocoa Powder, 125 g
Consider this cocoa powder if you’re baking egg cakes from scratch and want to choose cocoa as a separate ingredient. Check the Fairtrade claim on the current packaging, and use your recipe to work out how much cocoa to add to the batter.
Image unavailable
Tony's Chocolonely Milk Caramel Seasalt, 180 g
This bar is a separate chocolate option to consider if you want to add the finishing touch to ready-made egg cakes. The egg cakes aren’t included. Check the current packaging for the Fairtrade claim, allergen information and suitability for the way you plan to use it.
Frequently asked questions
Does a ready-made egg cake become Fairtrade if I add Fairtrade chocolate?
No. The claim on the chocolate you add doesn’t automatically apply to the egg cake. For example, Albert Heijn doesn’t list cocoa among the ingredients in AH Eierkoeken. Check the packaging of the egg cakes themselves for any certification claim covering the base.
Does Fairtrade mean the cocoa has remained physically separate?
Not always. For AH Biologisch Reep extra puur, Albert Heijn provides an explanation of mass balance: certified and non-certified ingredients may be mixed during processing. If physical separation matters to you, read the explanation for the specific product.
Where can I check allergens in egg cakes with chocolate?
Check the current packaging of both the egg cakes and the chocolate, as ingredients and warnings vary from product to product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information must appear on the label of pre-packed products.
How should I store leftover chocolate after baking?
Follow the storage instructions for the bar you’ve chosen. For AH Biologisch Reep extra puur, Albert Heijn recommends a cool, dark and dry place. Seal the packaging tightly after use.