Who is this choice important for?

Hotel buyer with a strict Fairtrade requirement

Needs evidence that the cocoa in the chosen egg cake meets the Fairtrade requirement. A certification claim for a chocolate bar or a retailer’s range as a whole is not enough.

Buffet manager responsible for allergen information

Needs to be able to match the egg cakes being served with up-to-date information about the allergens they contain, even when they are displayed unwrapped on the buffet. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses that businesses must inform customers about this.

Buyer who needs to plan breakfast service

Is looking for an orderable option with a suitable pack size and presentation. A product description for an egg cake that was previously sold does not confirm that it is still available to order.

What should you look for when buying?

First decide whether Fairtrade cocoa in the egg cake itself is a strict requirement, or whether Fairtrade chocolate as a separate buffet item will suffice. Then check the allergen information and practical delivery details for each product you choose.

What to consider What to check Who it matters most to
Fairtrade evidence for the egg cake Check that the current packaging or product specification confirms Fairtrade certification for the cocoa in the specific option you are buying. A different certification does not automatically meet a Fairtrade requirement. If I want to present the egg cake itself as a Fairtrade option, the evidence must apply to that exact product. For around 39% of consumers, this certification evidence is the most important factor.
Allergen information at the buffet Match the current ingredient and allergen information to the product being served. Check, among other things, for declarations of cereals containing gluten, egg, milk and soya. When egg cakes are served unwrapped, I want guests to be able to check which allergens they contain before eating them. For around 38% of consumers, having this information readily available is the top priority.
Delivery and buffet format Confirm current availability, the exact option and the number of pieces per pack before planning the buffet display. For breakfast service, I need an egg cake that is available to order and the right size for the display. Around 23% of consumers put this practical consideration first.

Common mistakes when planning a buffet

  • Applying a general cocoa claim to every egg cake

    Albert Heijn and ALDI describe policies on cocoa across their ranges, while Lidl mentions Fairtrade certification for Way To Go chocolate. These statements do not prove that a specific egg cake contains Fairtrade-certified cocoa.

    Ask for the current packaging or supplier specification for your chosen egg cake, and check that the claim applies to that specific option.

  • Using an old product page as confirmation of availability

    Jumbo describes Egg Cakes with Chocolate on a product page, but also says that the product is no longer available online. So that description is not a sound basis for planning delivery for the buffet.

    Confirm the exact option and its availability with the supplier before finalising your buffet plan.

    If the planned option is no longer available, finding a replacement takes extra time.

  • Putting out unwrapped egg cakes without clear allergen information

    When the packaging is not beside the product, guests may not be able to tell which allergen information relates to which egg cake. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, businesses must inform customers about the allergens present in their products.

    Make the current information available before guests eat, and make sure product cards do not end up beside the wrong buffet items.

Brands and suppliers to consider

The egg cakes and chocolate products mentioned have different roles on a buffet. A Fairtrade claim for chocolate does not automatically mean that an egg cake is certified.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists several types of egg cake, including a chocolate option that was previously sold.

  • The product information for Jumbo Egg Cakes with Chocolate mentioned UTZ Certified Cocoa.
  • Jumbo says that this chocolate option is no longer available online. UTZ certification also does not meet a requirement that specifically calls for Fairtrade.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists egg cakes in several varieties, including AH options and Bolletje Soft Milk Chocolate Egg Cake.

  • Albert Heijn states that cocoa in its own-brand products is Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade-certified.
  • For an egg cake, check separately which certification, if any, applies to the option you have chosen.

Verkade

Verkade is relevant here as a supplier of chocolate that can be served separately alongside egg cakes.

  • Verkade states that its chocolate bars and chocolate letters use Fairtrade cocoa.
  • This claim applies to the chocolate products mentioned, not to an egg cake.

Lidl

Lidl describes Way To Go chocolate as a separate Fairtrade option for the buffet.

  • According to Lidl, Way To Go products are fully Fairtrade-certified.
  • Certification for this chocolate does not confirm anything about the cocoa in an egg cake served separately.

ALDI

ALDI lists free-range egg cakes from Heerlijck Banket and also describes its cocoa policy.

  • The free-range egg cakes listed are sold in packs of 12, which is useful when planning portions.
  • The general cocoa policy does not confirm that these egg cakes contain Fairtrade-certified cocoa.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products will appear soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does a hotel need to provide allergen information for unwrapped egg cakes?

Yes. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, businesses must inform customers about allergens present in their products. Make sure guests can access information before eating, and that it relates to the egg cake actually being served.

Is an egg cake made with UTZ cocoa also a Fairtrade egg cake?

A UTZ claim alone does not support a claim that the egg cake contains Fairtrade-certified cocoa. Jumbo mentioned UTZ Certified Cocoa for its Egg Cakes with Chocolate, which were previously sold. If your purchasing requirement specifically calls for Fairtrade, the certification for the egg cake you have chosen must be confirmed separately.

When should you check the ingredients and certifications again?

Check them when choosing the option, and again if the packaging delivered or the supplier information changes. Albert Heijn notes that ingredients and allergen information can change, so make sure the information at the buffet matches the product being served.

Can separate Fairtrade chocolate replace a Fairtrade egg cake?

Not if the requirement applies to the cocoa in the egg cake itself. Verkade states that its chocolate bars and chocolate letters use Fairtrade cocoa, and Lidl describes Way To Go chocolate as Fairtrade-certified. But a separate chocolate product does not change the certification of the egg cake. Present the two products with their own information.