Buyers with a firm Fairtrade requirement
They want to be able to link a claim on the shelf label to the exact egg cake being sold. A retailer’s general sustainability policy is no substitute.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Shoppers comparing chocolate egg cakes
They are looking for an egg cake with chocolate and need to assess the Fairtrade claim, ingredients and current availability separately.
Shoppers checking for allergens
Before buying, they need clear information about the allergens in the chosen variant and any warnings about possible traces.
What should you look for when buying?
Start with the claim on the specific chocolate egg cake. Then check whether the ingredient information and current product status make it suitable for sale in your shop. Fairtrade International notes that, for products with multiple ingredients, a certification mark requires careful attention to what the claim actually refers to.
| What to check | Checks before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade claim | Check that the FAIRTRADE mark or an explicit Fairtrade cocoa claim applies to the exact product variant. If the mark includes an arrow, check what the claim means. | If I want to sell a chocolate egg cake as Fairtrade, I need to be able to explain that claim to my customers. A verifiable Fairtrade claim is the top priority for around 45% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients list, the listed allergens and any warnings about possible traces on the packaging. | When buying a chocolate egg cake, I want to know which ingredients and allergens it contains. Ingredients and allergens are the deciding factor for around 33% of consumers. |
| Availability and presentation | Confirm the current product status and pack size before adding a variant to your range. | For a permanent shelf display, I don’t want to rely on an old product listing that I can’t reorder. Current availability and presentation are top priorities for around 22% of consumers. |
Common selection mistakes
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Mistaking a cocoa policy for a product claim
Albert Heijn and Lidl describe policies on certified cocoa in their own-brand products. That does not automatically make an individual egg cake a Fairtrade product.
Base any Fairtrade claim on the shelf label on the current packaging or product page for the variant you sell.
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Treating an old chocolate egg cake as an option to buy
Jumbo lists its Chocolate Egg Cakes as no longer available in its online range. The previous product listing therefore does not confirm that the variant can still be ordered.
Before buying, ask for the current product status and check the packaging and certification claim again.
Changing products may also mean updating shelf labels and product information.
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Using allergen information from a different variant
Ingredients and allergens can vary between egg cakes, particularly when chocolate or a coating has been added.
Use the allergen information on the exact packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says customers must also be informed about allergens in unpackaged foods.
Relevant brands and retailers to consider
Egg cakes, Fairtrade chocolate and policies on certified cocoa are different points of reference. Always assess a Fairtrade claim product by product.
Bolletje
Bolletje’s range includes Crispy Cinnamon Egg Cake.
- Bolletje states that this variant is made with free-range eggs.
- This cinnamon variant does not support a Fairtrade claim for a chocolate egg cake.
Verkade
Relevant for chocolate sold separately and chocolate-coated biscuits, but not as evidence of a Fairtrade egg cake.
- Verkade says the brand uses Fairtrade-certified cocoa in chocolate bars and chocolate coatings on biscuits.
- That statement says nothing about the Fairtrade status of an egg cake.
Albert Heijn
Sells AH Egg Cakes and has a cocoa policy for its own-brand products.
- The product information for AH Egg Cakes lists ingredients including wheat flour and free-range egg.
- Albert Heijn says that the cocoa in its own-brand products is Rainforest Alliance- or Fairtrade-certified. This policy does not make a standard AH Egg Cake a Fairtrade chocolate egg cake.
Jumbo
Has listed Chocolate Egg Cakes and also provides information about its Fairtrade range.
- The individual product listing makes it possible to assess the chocolate variant specifically.
- Jumbo lists this variant as no longer available in its online range. A general Fairtrade range page does not confirm a Fairtrade claim for this egg cake.
ALDI
Lists Heerlijck Banket Barn Egg Cakes and also sells Fairtrade chocolate separately.
- The egg cake listing specifies barn eggs and a pack of 12.
- A Fairtrade claim on separate chocolate does not automatically apply to these barn egg cakes.
Lidl
Lists egg cakes as a store product and publishes a cocoa policy for its own-brand products.
- Lidl says that the cocoa in its own-brand products carries a Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance or organic certification mark.
- This policy statement does not tell you which certification mark applies to a specific egg cake.
Related products on Joybuy
Related products will appear soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is UTZ Certified Cacao the same as a Fairtrade claim for an egg cake?
No. A UTZ Certified Cacao statement does not, on its own, support a Fairtrade claim. For the exact egg cake, check for a product-specific Fairtrade mark or an explicit Fairtrade cocoa claim. Also check whether the variant is still available.
Does a supermarket’s cocoa policy apply to every egg cake on the shelf?
No. A general cocoa policy does not tell you which claim applies to an individual egg cake. Read the current packaging or product page for the variant you want to sell.
Which allergens should I check in a chocolate egg cake?
Check the allergen declaration for the exact variant, including any mention of egg, cereals containing gluten, milk and soya, as well as warnings about possible traces. Don’t rely on the ingredients in a plain egg cake or a different chocolate variant.
How should I store egg cakes I want to sell?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging of the egg cake you have chosen. Check them for each brand and variant, and don’t assume that instructions from another pack apply.
Do I need to provide allergen information when selling egg cakes loose?
Yes. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that sellers of unpackaged foods must inform customers about the allergens they contain. Make sure this information is available for the egg cakes you sell loose, and follow the current requirements for providing it.