Parents who want to check for Fairtrade cocoa
They’re looking for a chocolate egg cake for after school and want to be able to find the Fairtrade claim on the specific variety, rather than relying on a general claim made by the retailer.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Parents who need to consider allergens
They want to check the allergen information and any ‘may contain’ warnings before packing it. For its Brosse Eierkoek varieties, Bolletje lists ingredients including egg, cereals containing gluten, milk, wheat and soya.
Shoppers looking for an egg cake for the lunchbox
They want to know which chocolate variety and pack size suit their needs. For example, Jumbo lists chocolate egg cakes in packs of eight and four; you’ll still need to check the other details for each variety individually.
What should you look for when choosing?
A ready-made chocolate egg cake, a plain egg cake and an egg cake served with separately purchased Fairtrade chocolate are different options. With the last one, you’ll also need to check the ingredients and allergens in the complete snack.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade status of the specific variety | Look for a clear Fairtrade claim for the cocoa or chocolate on the packaging or current product page for the exact egg cake you’re buying. | If I’m choosing a chocolate egg cake for its Fairtrade cocoa, I want to be able to check that claim on the specific variety; around 42% of shoppers say this is their main requirement. |
| Allergens and school rules | Read the current label, including the allergen information and any ‘may contain’ warnings, and check it against the school’s rules. | If there’s an allergy or a school rule to consider, I want to know whether this egg cake is suitable before packing it. For around 33% of shoppers, this takes priority over other things they’re looking for. |
| Variety and pack size | Check that it’s the chocolate variety you want and how many egg cakes are in the pack. | For the lunchbox, I’m looking for a variety in a pack size that suits my plans. For around 25% of shoppers, this practical consideration comes first. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking a cocoa policy for a claim about the egg cake
Albert Heijn and ALDI each describe their own policies on certified cocoa. That alone doesn’t tell you which certification applies to the chocolate in a specific egg cake; besides, not all the certifications mentioned are Fairtrade.
Check that the Fairtrade claim explicitly applies to the egg cake you’ve chosen and the cocoa or chocolate in it.
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Relying on the product name to check for allergens
A plain egg cake isn’t automatically free from relevant allergens. Bolletje lists several allergens and possible traces for its Brosse Eierkoek varieties; the information can vary between varieties.
Read the label on the pack you’re actually putting in the lunchbox, and follow the relevant school rules.
Brands to consider
Jumbo
Worth considering if you’re looking for a ready-made chocolate egg cake.
- Jumbo lists Eierkoeken met Chocolade in a pack of eight, as well as a separate Choco Eierkoeken variety in a pack of four.
- For the pack you’ve chosen, check separately whether there’s an explicit Fairtrade claim for the cocoa or chocolate.
Bolletje
Worth considering when the type of egg cake and allergen information will influence your choice.
- For Brosse Eierkoek and Brosse Eierkoek Kaneel, Bolletje lists ingredients including egg, cereals containing gluten, milk, wheat and soya.
- This information about Brosse Eierkoek doesn’t confirm that any egg cake variety contains Fairtrade chocolate.
Albert Heijn
Worth considering if you want to assess a cocoa claim on an own-brand product as well as choosing an egg cake.
- Albert Heijn says it uses Rainforest Alliance- or Fairtrade-certified cocoa in its own-brand products.
- That policy doesn’t automatically mean that an individual egg cake is a chocolate egg cake with a product-specific Fairtrade claim. Albert Heijn advises checking the packaging, as product information can change.
ALDI
Worth considering if you’re thinking of pairing an egg cake with separately purchased Fairtrade chocolate.
- ALDI lists Heerlijck Banket free-range egg cakes, as well as a separate Fairtrade chocolate product.
- ALDI says cocoa in its own-brand products is covered by Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance or the EU organic label. This doesn’t mean that the free-range egg cakes mentioned contain chocolate or carry a Fairtrade chocolate claim themselves.
Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is a chocolate egg cake automatically Fairtrade if the supermarket uses certified cocoa?
No. A general cocoa policy doesn’t confirm that the chocolate in the egg cake you’ve chosen is Fairtrade-certified. Check that the claim appears on the current packaging or product page for that specific variety.
Which allergens should I check before putting an egg cake in a school lunchbox?
Read the allergen information and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the current packaging, and bear the school’s rules in mind. For its Brosse Eierkoek varieties, Bolletje lists ingredients including egg, cereals containing gluten, milk, wheat and soya; don’t assume the same list applies to another variety without checking.
Can I choose a plain egg cake if gluten needs to be avoided?
Don’t assume it’s suitable just because it’s called a ‘plain egg cake’: Bolletje lists cereals containing gluten and wheat for its Brosse Eierkoek varieties. Check the packaging of the product you’re considering, and follow any rules that apply to the child.
How should I store egg cakes for the lunchbox?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack you’ve chosen. Jumbo says its plain egg cakes should be stored in a cool, dry and dark place; check the advice again for a chocolate variety or another brand.