For shoppers comparing sugar
You want to take egg cakes with you, but judge the sugar content from the label rather than relying on words such as ‘wholemeal’ or ‘light’.
Which considerations matter to you?
For travellers planning portions
You want to decide in advance how many egg cakes to take, so you compare the nutritional information per 100 g as well as the amount per cake or portion.
For shoppers checking allergens
Before setting off, you need to check whether the specific egg cake is suitable for you or a fellow traveller with a relevant food allergy.
What should you look for when choosing?
Compare sugar values on the same basis, then consider the portion size. If you have a relevant food allergy, checking the label comes before making that comparison.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar content | Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. Check added sugars as well if both labels list them; don’t infer a ‘reduced sugar’ claim from a small difference. | I want to know how much sugar my chosen egg cake contains, rather than being guided by the variant’s name. For around 50% of shoppers, comparing sugar is their main purchase concern. |
| Portion and transport | Check the weight per cake, the number of cakes and the storage instructions for the pack you choose. | For a long journey, I want to decide in advance how many cakes to take and how to store them. Around 30% of shoppers give portion size and transport the highest priority. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack of the specific variant. | If someone travelling with me needs to avoid an allergen, I want to know whether this particular egg cake is suitable. For around 20% of shoppers, checking allergens is their main purchase concern. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘wholemeal’ or ‘light’ means ‘less sugar’
Albert Heijn lists 25 g of added sugars and 31 g of total sugars per 100 g for AH Wholemeal Egg Cakes. The 25 g is lower than the 27 g of added sugars in AH Egg Cakes, but that alone does not prove a ‘reduced sugar’ claim.
Compare the ‘of which sugars’ line on both labels, and assess any reduced-sugar claim separately.
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Comparing sugar per cake only
Cakes of different weights are not directly comparable per item. The number of cakes you eat on the go also affects the amount you have at each snack break.
First compare the values per 100 g, then use the stated portion size to work out how much you want to take with you.
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Relying on an old pack for allergen information
AH Wholemeal Egg Cakes list egg, milk, cereals containing gluten and soya, among other allergens. The allergen information for this variant doesn’t tell you for certain about a different egg cake.
Read the label on the specific pack before buying, even if you’ve bought the product before.
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Choosing a pack without a storage plan
Jumbo lists egg cakes in packs containing different numbers of cakes. The storage instructions for Jumbo Egg Cakes 4 Pack are to store in a cool, dry place away from light.
Choose a quantity that suits your journey and follow the storage instructions on the pack you buy.
Brands compared
Albert Heijn
The standard and wholemeal egg cakes have separate product information, so you can compare the stated sugar values for these two variants.
- Albert Heijn lists 27 g of added sugars per 100 g for AH Egg Cakes and 25 g for AH Wholemeal Egg Cakes. The wholemeal variant also lists 31 g of total sugars and 3,5 g of fibre per 100 g.
- The difference in added sugars does not show that the wholemeal variant can carry a ‘reduced sugar’ claim.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s egg cake variants are worth considering if you mainly want to choose the number of cakes or the type of egg cake for your journey.
- Jumbo offers, among other options, packs of 4 and 10, mini egg cakes and a wholemeal variant.
- The type of pack says nothing about sugar content; compare the nutritional information for the specific variants instead.
Bolletje
The Brosse Egg Cake offers a different texture from a soft egg cake.
- Bolletje says the light texture of its Brosse Egg Cake comes from batter made with whisked egg.
- Bolletje also mentions a sugar coating; don’t use the texture or product name as an indication of sugar content.
Egg cakes on Joybuy
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Does a wholemeal egg cake automatically contain less sugar?
No. ‘Wholemeal’ alone says nothing about the sugar content. Albert Heijn lists 25 g of added sugars per 100 g for AH Wholemeal Egg Cakes and 27 g for AH Egg Cakes; compare the total sugars on the labels too.
When can an egg cake be labelled ‘reduced sugar’?
Under European Union Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, this nutrition claim requires a reduction of at least 30% compared with a similar product. Comparing the added sugars on two labels yourself does not, on its own, show that an egg cake meets this requirement.
Which sugar values should I compare for a snack on the go?
First compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g, then consider how many grams you want to eat as a portion. If both labels also list added sugars, you can compare those values separately.
Can I take an egg cake for someone with a food allergy?
You can only assess this for the specific egg cake by checking its current allergen information. AH Wholemeal Egg Cakes list egg, milk, cereals containing gluten and soya, among other allergens; check the pack of the variant you want to take before buying it.
How should I store egg cakes during a car journey?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack you buy. Jumbo says its Egg Cakes 4 Pack should be stored in a cool, dry place away from light; bear this in mind when packing for your journey.