Who is this choice relevant to?

Catering buyers with a Fairtrade requirement

If you want to serve Fairtrade chocolate at a conference, you need confirmation for the specific product you have chosen. The words ‘organic’ or ‘chocolate’ in a product name are not enough.

Organisers of self-service breaks

When guests help themselves to a portion during a break, individually wrapped Dutch spiced cake can make serving easier. Even with individually wrapped portions, check the ingredients and any claims on the packaging.

Caterers serving Dutch spiced cake unwrapped

If you take the cake out of its packaging and serve it on a platter, allergen information must be available at the point of service. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority sets out this information requirement for non-prepacked foods.

What should you look for when buying?

First decide whether Fairtrade cocoa is a requirement for the Dutch spiced cake itself, or whether separately served Fairtrade chocolate will do. Then choose how to present the food and make sure allergen information is available when serving it.

Chocolate Dutch spiced cake

Choose this when: the specific variant carries an explicit Fairtrade cocoa claim.

Bear in mind: ‘organic’ or ‘chocolate’ in the name does not confirm this claim; check the packaging of the product actually supplied.

Individually wrapped Dutch spiced cake

Choose this when: individual portions are the priority for self-service and Fairtrade cocoa is not a requirement for the cake.

Bear in mind: individual wrapping says nothing about the product’s Fairtrade status.

Dutch spiced cake with separate Fairtrade chocolate

Choose this when: you want to offer Fairtrade chocolate without attributing that status to the Dutch spiced cake.

Bear in mind: present and describe the cake and chocolate as separate products.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Fairtrade cocoa Check the current packaging or specification for the exact variant for an explicit Fairtrade claim relating to the cocoa. I want to offer Fairtrade chocolate without linking the claim to the wrong Dutch spiced cake. Around 42% of consumers prioritise a cocoa claim for the specific product.
Allergens when serving unwrapped Check the label of every variant you choose and make allergen information available next to any open platter. If I serve the cake unwrapped, I want to be able to tell guests about allergens there and then. For around 33% of consumers, having this information available at the point of service is the top priority.
Portions and ordering Compare the number of portions per pack and confirm the delivery time with your chosen supplier. During a short break, I want to serve portions quickly and know in advance how many I can order. Convenient portions and ordering are the priority for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘organic’ or ‘chocolate’ means Fairtrade cocoa

    A product name or a supermarket’s general statement does not confirm which cocoa is used in a specific Dutch spiced cake. For example, PLUS lists Fairtrade cocoa in a dark chocolate bar, while the product information for a chocolate spritz biscuit refers to Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa.

    Only make a Fairtrade cocoa claim in your catering plan if it appears on the current packaging or specification for the product you have chosen.

  • Removing the packaging without keeping the allergen information

    When Dutch spiced cake is served unwrapped, guests must be able to access allergen information where it is being served. For its plain 10-pack, Peijnenburg lists rye flour and the possible presence of milk, hazelnuts, almonds and other cereals containing gluten; other variants need to be checked against their own labels.

    Keep the information for the variant being served by the platter and make sure it is not confused with information for another cake.

  • Assuming every Dutch spiced cake contains iodine from baker’s salt

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers are not required to use baker’s salt. So you cannot tell from the product category whether baker’s salt has been used in a particular Dutch spiced cake.

    Check the label or ask the manufacturer for product-specific information if this matters for your purchase.

Relevant brands and suppliers

Peijnenburg

Peijnenburg offers plain Dutch spiced cake in a 10-pack, with individually wrapped portions.

  • The individually wrapped portions work well for self-service during a conference break.
  • According to Peijnenburg, this variant contains rye flour and may contain milk, hazelnuts, almonds and other cereals containing gluten. This plain variant does not substantiate a claim about Fairtrade cocoa.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists AH Organic chocolate Dutch spiced cake in its range.

  • This is a specific chocolate Dutch spiced cake whose product information you can check.
  • ‘Organic’ and ‘chocolate’ do not confirm Fairtrade cocoa. Albert Heijn notes that product information can change, so check the packaging of the variant supplied.

PLUS

PLUS lists Fairtrade cocoa in a specific dark chocolate bar, which can be served separately alongside Dutch spiced cake.

  • The claim on that chocolate bar makes it clear which product the Fairtrade cocoa claim applies to.
  • A claim for that bar does not automatically apply to Dutch spiced cake or other chocolate products. Always check the variant you choose here, too.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can I serve Dutch spiced cake unwrapped on a platter?

Yes, as long as the required allergen information is available where the food is served. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information must be provided for non-prepacked foods. For cereals containing gluten and for nuts, you must also specify the type.

Is organic chocolate Dutch spiced cake automatically Fairtrade?

No. ‘Organic’ and ‘Fairtrade’ are not interchangeable claims. For AH Organic chocolate Dutch spiced cake, or any other variant you choose, check whether the current packaging explicitly states that it contains Fairtrade cocoa.

Does a supermarket’s Fairtrade cocoa claim apply to all its chocolate products?

For a catering claim, use the information for the specific product. PLUS lists Fairtrade cocoa in a dark chocolate bar, but refers to Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa for a chocolate spritz biscuit.

Does all Dutch spiced cake contain iodine from baker’s salt?

You cannot tell from the name ‘Dutch spiced cake’. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers are not required to use baker’s salt. Check the label or ask the manufacturer for information about the variant you have chosen.