Who is this choice for?

Anyone checking Fairtrade status at product level

You want to see what the Fairtrade claim applies to on the egg cake or chocolate you choose, rather than relying on a retailer’s general cocoa policy.

Anyone putting together a platter for guests

You want to know how many egg cakes you can hand out and whether the products you have in mind are available. If you serve chocolate separately, its storage instructions matter too.

Anyone catering for allergies

You want to read the current labels on both the egg cakes and any separate chocolate. The egg cakes described by Albert Heijn, Jumbo and Bolletje include allergens such as egg, milk, cereals containing gluten and soya; warnings about possible traces vary by product.

What should you look for when buying?

First decide whether the chocolate needs to be on the egg cake already or whether you can serve it separately. This determines which product needs to carry the Fairtrade mark.

Ready-made chocolate egg cake

Choose this if: the specific egg cake has a product-specific Fairtrade claim for its chocolate or cocoa.

Bear in mind: Jumbo lists UTZ Certified Cocoa for its Chocolate Egg Cakes, not Fairtrade, and says that this product is no longer part of its online range.

Plain egg cakes with separate chocolate

Choose this if: you can check the Fairtrade claim on a separate chocolate wrapper and want to serve the products separately or combine them just before handing them out.

Bear in mind: you need to check two packs, including both allergen lists; the combination is not Fairtrade-certified as a whole.

Egg cakes without chocolate

Choose this if: you want to hand out egg cakes without chocolate as part of the treat.

Bear in mind: this option does not meet the requirement for Fairtrade chocolate. For example, Bolletje describes its Brosse Eierkoek as having a sugar topping.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Fairtrade claim Check the mark or Fairtrade claim on the exact product and read which ingredients it applies to. I want to be able to show that the chocolate I have chosen meets my Fairtrade requirements. Around 36% of consumers would put this product-specific check first.
Quantity and availability Compare the number of items or portions with your guest list and check current availability. For my garden party, I want enough egg cakes to hand out without relying on a discontinued product; this would be the main consideration for around 29% of consumers.
Allergens Read the current ingredients list and any ‘may contain’ warning for every product you serve. If guests have food allergies, I want to know which egg cakes and chocolate are unsuitable for them. This would be the main consideration for around 21% of consumers.
Suitable pack size Check the weight and number of items before deciding how many packs you need. For a smaller group, I don’t want lots of egg cakes left over, while a larger group needs enough to go round; around 14% of consumers would focus mainly on this.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking a general cocoa policy for a product claim

    Albert Heijn, Lidl and ALDI describe cocoa policies that include various certifications. This does not automatically make a specific chocolate egg cake Fairtrade.

    Read the packaging or current product page for the exact egg cake you want to buy, and check what the Fairtrade claim applies to.

  • Planning a platter around an unavailable product

    Jumbo says its Chocolate Egg Cakes are no longer part of its online range. So the product name alone is not enough to base your shopping plan on.

    Check availability shortly before the garden party and, if you like, decide in advance whether plain egg cakes with separate chocolate would also work.

  • Checking allergens using outdated information

    Ingredients and warnings about possible traces can vary by product. Even if you serve the chocolate separately, guests need information about both products.

    Check the current labels when you buy, and ask guests in advance which food allergies you need to take into account.

  • Leaving chocolate out in the sun well before serving

    When serving outdoors, heat can affect how chocolate looks. Storage advice applies to the chocolate bar you choose, not automatically to the egg cakes.

    Follow the advice and put the chocolate out just before serving, separately from the egg cakes if you prefer.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Plain egg cakes for a platter without chocolate added in advance.

  • Albert Heijn lists AH Egg Cakes as weighing 360 g and containing 12 portions, alongside ingredient and allergen information.
  • Albert Heijn’s general cocoa policy says nothing about Fairtrade chocolate in these plain egg cakes.

Jumbo

An example of a chocolate egg cake where the exact certification and availability are decisive.

  • Jumbo’s product information lists the ingredients and UTZ Certified Cocoa for its Chocolate Egg Cakes.
  • UTZ does not confirm Fairtrade status; Jumbo also says that this product is no longer part of its online range.

Bolletje

Brosse Eierkoek is an egg cake with a sugar topping, with no chocolate listed as an ingredient.

  • Bolletje lists free-range eggs and provides allergen and possible trace information for this product.
  • The sugar topping does not meet the requirement for Fairtrade chocolate.

Verkade

Worth considering if you want to serve chocolate as a separate component alongside egg cakes.

  • Verkade says all the cocoa in its chocolate bars and letters is Fairtrade.
  • This statement does not apply to egg cakes or a combined treat; check the chosen bar for allergens too.

Lidl

A brand to consider when distinguishing product-specific Fairtrade claims from broader cocoa policies.

  • Lidl describes certified cocoa in its own-brand products.
  • A general sourcing policy does not confirm Fairtrade status for a specific chocolate egg cake.

ALDI

Heerlijck Banket Scharreleierkoeken are an option for a platter without chocolate.

  • ALDI lists these free-range egg cakes as containing 12 pieces and weighing 360 g.
  • ALDI’s cocoa policy does not confirm chocolate or a Fairtrade claim for these egg cakes.

Chocolate to serve separately

This Joybuy option is a chocolate bar that you could serve alongside plain egg cakes; it is not a ready-made chocolate egg cake. Check the Fairtrade claim on the chosen packaging before buying the bar for this purpose.

Tony's Chocolonely Milk Pecan Caramel Chocolate Bar, 180 g

Tony's Chocolonely Milk Pecan Caramel Chocolate Bar – 180 g

For anyone wanting to offer chocolate separately alongside plain egg cakes; this bar is not an egg cake itself.

Net weight: 180 g. If you have guests with allergies, read the current packaging and check the Fairtrade claim for this variant too.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is UTZ Certified Cocoa the same as Fairtrade chocolate?

No. The UTZ claim on Jumbo Chocolate Egg Cakes does not confirm Fairtrade status. To meet your Fairtrade requirements, look for a mark or explicit product claim that applies to the chocolate or cocoa in the egg cake.

Does Fairtrade cocoa mean all the cocoa stays physically separate?

Not always. Fairtrade International allows cocoa mass balance, where physical mixing may occur during processing. So if origin and traceability matter to your choice, read the explanation on the packaging next to the mark.

Which allergens should I check when serving egg cakes and chocolate?

Read the current labels on both products, including any ‘may contain’ warnings. The egg cakes described here include allergens such as egg, milk, cereals containing gluten and soya; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority provides information on the mandatory declaration of 14 allergens on food labels.

Can I serve a Verkade chocolate bar alongside plain egg cakes?

Yes, as a separate serving option, provided you check the packaging of the bar and the egg cakes you choose. Verkade says the cocoa in its chocolate bars and letters is Fairtrade; this does not make the egg cakes or the combination a Fairtrade-certified composite product.