Who is this choice relevant to?

For a birth or celebration rusk

You’re looking for familiar aniseed sprinkles. The blue and white De Ruijter variety described by Albert Heijn is made from sugared aniseed; chocolate sprinkles won’t give you the same result.

If Fairtrade cocoa is your priority

You’d rather see an explicit statement that the cocoa is Fairtrade-certified than choose a specific type of aniseed sprinkles. Albert Heijn makes this claim for Delicata dark chocolate sprinkles. However, you’ll be choosing sprinkles rather than aniseed sprinkles.

If you also need to check the label

When picking up a few extra items, you want to grab the right variety without overlooking any ingredients or allergens. The aniseed sprinkles we checked contain wheat; milk is listed, or possible traces of milk are mentioned, for the chocolate sprinkles we checked.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you need actual aniseed sprinkles or are mainly looking for Fairtrade-certified cocoa. Then check the ingredients, allergens and claims on the packaging of the variety you choose.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
The right type of product Read the product name and ingredients: aniseed sprinkles made with aniseed are different from chocolate sprinkles. For a birth celebration rusk, I want actual aniseed sprinkles, not just something I can scatter on top. Around 42% of consumers prioritise the traditional product type.
Fairtrade cocoa Look for the Fairtrade mark or an explicit statement that the cocoa is Fairtrade-certified on the packaging you’ve chosen. If there’s an arrow on the Fairtrade mark, Fairtrade International says to read the explanation on the back. If Fairtrade cocoa is my main reason for buying, I’m happy to choose chocolate sprinkles instead of aniseed sprinkles. For around 33% of consumers, cocoa is the main priority.
Ingredients and allergens Read the label on the current variety. The De Ruijter aniseed sprinkles we checked contain wheat; milk is present in the chocolate sprinkles we checked, or is listed as a possible trace. If I’m buying for someone with an allergy or intolerance, the specific pack needs to be suitable. Checking the label is the priority for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking aniseed sprinkles for chocolate sprinkles

    The blue and white De Ruijter sprinkles described by Albert Heijn contain aniseed and, according to the ingredients list, no cocoa. So they’re not suitable if you’re looking for Fairtrade-certified chocolate.

    Decide which of the two product types you need before choosing a variety.

  • Assuming a whole shop section carries the same certification

    A Fairtrade category in an online shop doesn’t mean every pack of aniseed or chocolate sprinkles in that section carries the same claim.

    Check the claim on the individual product’s packaging. If there’s an arrow on the Fairtrade mark, Fairtrade International recommends reading the back as well.

  • Skipping the allergen label

    The varieties differ in more than just taste: the aniseed sprinkles we checked contain wheat, Delicata dark chocolate sprinkles contain milk and lactose, and Fairtrade Original dark chocolate sprinkles may contain milk.

    Read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you’re actually buying, especially if it’s for someone else.

  • Taking an old product page as proof that an item is in stock

    Albert Heijn still shows product information for Fairtrade Original milk chocolate sprinkles, but also says that this variety has been discontinued.

    When picking up a few extra items, check whether the variety you want is available in your shop or order.

Brands and shops to consider

De Ruijter

Worth considering if you’re specifically looking for aniseed sprinkles; Albert Heijn and Jumbo stock varieties from this brand.

  • The blue and white variety described by Albert Heijn contains aniseed and is suited to serving on rusk.
  • This variety contains wheat. Cocoa isn’t listed among the ingredients, so don’t choose it if you’re looking for Fairtrade-certified chocolate.

Delicata

An alternative if Fairtrade cocoa matters more to you than choosing aniseed sprinkles.

  • Albert Heijn states that Delicata dark chocolate sprinkles contain Fairtrade-certified cocoa.
  • They’re chocolate sprinkles, not aniseed sprinkles. The variety we checked contains milk and lactose.

Fairtrade Original

Worth considering if you’re looking for chocolate sprinkles and want to compare product and certification information for each variety.

  • Jumbo lists Fairtrade Original dark chocolate sprinkles 380 g in its Fair Trade bread toppings category.
  • The dark variety may contain milk. Albert Heijn’s product information says its milk variety has been discontinued.

Jumbo

A shop where you can check the specific varieties of aniseed or chocolate sprinkles available when picking up a few extra items.

  • Jumbo stocks De Ruijter aniseed sprinkles and lists Fairtrade Original dark chocolate sprinkles in its Fair Trade category.
  • Being listed in a category doesn’t mean every product carries a certification claim; check the individual pack.

Albert Heijn

A shop where you can compare the De Ruijter aniseed sprinkles described here with Delicata dark chocolate sprinkles.

  • The product information distinguishes aniseed sprinkles from chocolate sprinkles that explicitly state their cocoa is Fairtrade-certified.
  • An older product page doesn’t prove an item is currently available: Albert Heijn lists Fairtrade Original milk chocolate sprinkles as discontinued.

Aniseed sprinkles on Joybuy

This product suits you if you’re looking for traditional blue and white aniseed sprinkles to serve on rusk or for a special occasion. If you’re specifically looking for Fairtrade-certified cocoa, choose a chocolate product based on the claim on its packaging rather than treating it as the same product as aniseed sprinkles.

De Ruijter blue and white aniseed sprinkles, 330 g

De Ruijter blue and white aniseed sprinkles 330 g

For anyone specifically looking for blue and white aniseed sprinkles for rusk or a special occasion.

Sugared aniseed; the variety described contains wheat and gluten. These aren’t chocolate sprinkles. If you need a Fairtrade claim to make your choice, check the packaging.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Are aniseed sprinkles the same as chocolate sprinkles?

No. The blue and white De Ruijter sprinkles described by Albert Heijn contain sugared aniseed and, according to the ingredients list, no cocoa. Chocolate sprinkles are a different type of bread topping, even though you can scatter both on rusk.

How can I check whether the cocoa in sprinkles is Fairtrade-certified?

Read the certification and cocoa information on the packaging of the variety you’ve chosen. Albert Heijn states that Delicata dark chocolate sprinkles contain Fairtrade-certified cocoa. If there’s an arrow on the FAIRTRADE mark, Fairtrade International says to read the explanation on the back as well.

Do I need to check allergens on a small pack of bread toppings?

Yes, if the person eating them has an allergy or intolerance. The De Ruijter aniseed sprinkles we checked contain wheat, Delicata dark chocolate sprinkles contain milk and lactose, and Fairtrade Original dark chocolate sprinkles may contain milk. Always read the label on the pack you buy.

Does an item shown online have to be available for my shop?

Not necessarily. For example, Albert Heijn still shows information for Fairtrade Original milk chocolate sprinkles, even though the page marks that variety as discontinued. Check availability for your shop or order before relying on it.