Who is this choice relevant to?

Shoppers who prioritise Fairtrade cocoa

You’re looking for sprinkles for King's Day with an explicit Fairtrade statement about the cocoa. Chocolate sprinkles are a different choice from traditional aniseed sprinkles.

Shoppers looking for traditional aniseed sprinkles

You’re mainly looking for the familiar shape and aniseed flavour to add to crispbread, cakes or yoghurt. Check the colour and any certification statement on the pack you buy.

Shoppers with allergies or dietary requirements

You’ll need to compare the ingredients and allergens for each product. According to Jumbo, De Ruijter Feestmuisjes contain wheat; PLUS states that its dark chocolate sprinkles may contain milk and lactose.

What should you consider when choosing?

First decide whether the traditional aniseed sprinkles or a Fairtrade statement about the cocoa matters more to you. Then check the ingredients and allergens of the product you choose.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this important to?
Fairtrade cocoa Check whether the pack says Fairtrade or specifically Fairtrade Cocoa. Find out what the certification applies to. If I want sprinkles made with Fairtrade cocoa for King's Day, the product I choose must say so. For around 46% of shoppers, being able to verify the cocoa statement matters most.
Traditional aniseed sprinkles and aniseed flavour Check the product type, colour and ingredients; sugar-coated aniseed seeds are not chocolate sprinkles. For crispbread or cakes, I specifically want aniseed sprinkles with their familiar flavour, even if that means not choosing Fairtrade cocoa. This traditional option comes first for around 36% of shoppers.
Allergens and dietary requirements Check both the ingredients and the ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements on the current packaging. If I need to avoid wheat or milk, the allergen information determines which sprinkles I can choose. This check is the top priority for around 18% of shoppers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming aniseed sprinkles and chocolate sprinkles are the same product

    According to Albert Heijn and Jumbo, De Ruijter Feestmuisjes are sugar-coated aniseed seeds. Their festive appearance therefore says nothing about whether they contain Fairtrade cocoa.

    First choose between traditional aniseed sprinkles and chocolate sprinkles with an explicit Fairtrade statement.

  • Assuming Fairtrade Cocoa certification applies to the whole product

    According to Milieu Centraal, a Fairtrade logo with a white background may apply only to a certified ingredient.

    Read the wording next to the logo and decide whether certification of the cocoa meets your buying criteria.

  • Using a vegan label as an allergen check

    PLUS labels its dark chocolate sprinkles as vegan, but also states that they may contain milk and lactose. The milk chocolate version contains milk and lactose.

    If you have an allergy, always check the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.

Brands and shops to explore

De Ruijter

Aniseed sprinkles for shoppers looking for sugar-coated aniseed seeds.

  • Albert Heijn and Jumbo describe the 330 g pack of Feestmuisjes as suitable for bread and crispbread, among other things.
  • The listed ingredients include wheat starch and no cocoa; don’t treat this product as Fairtrade chocolate sprinkles.

Fairtrade Original

Dark chocolate sprinkles for shoppers looking for an explicit Fairtrade statement on the product.

  • Albert Heijn lists Fairtrade as a product feature and states that it contains at least 32% cocoa solids.
  • The 380 g product is chocolate sprinkles, not aniseed sprinkles, and may contain milk.

PLUS

Dark and milk chocolate sprinkles, both in 400 g packs, with a Fairtrade Cocoa product statement.

  • PLUS labels its dark chocolate version as vegan.
  • The dark chocolate version may contain milk and lactose; the milk chocolate version contains milk and lactose. Both are chocolate sprinkles, not aniseed sprinkles.

Albert Heijn

A retailer with product information for both De Ruijter Feestmuisjes and Fairtrade Original Dark Chocolate Sprinkles.

  • The product descriptions make the difference between aniseed sprinkles and chocolate sprinkles clear.
  • Check the packaging when you buy: product information, including ingredients and allergens, can change.

Jumbo

A retailer that lists aniseed sprinkles and Fairtrade sweet spreads in separate categories.

  • The product information for De Ruijter Feestmuisjes lists aniseed and wheat starch.
  • Fairtrade Original in the sweet spreads category is chocolate sprinkles, not Fairtrade aniseed sprinkles.

Lidl

Another option to explore if you’re considering other chocolate products with a Fairtrade statement.

  • According to Lidl, the chocolate in its Way To Go range is fully Fairtrade certified.
  • A chocolate bar is not a substitute for aniseed sprinkles or for chocolate sprinkles used as a topping.

ALDI

A retailer with Fairtrade chocolate and separate information about Kiekeboe sprinkles.

  • ALDI lists chocolate in its Fairtrade range.
  • For Kiekeboe sprinkles, ALDI states that the cocoa is Rainforest Alliance certified; this is not the same certification as Fairtrade.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is De Ruijter Feestmuisjes Fairtrade chocolate?

No. According to the product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo, Feestmuisjes are sugar-coated aniseed seeds, not chocolate. The listed ingredients do not include cocoa, and the product descriptions do not label them as Fairtrade chocolate.

What does Fairtrade Cocoa mean on chocolate sprinkles?

The statement refers to Fairtrade cocoa; check the packaging to see exactly what the certification applies to. Milieu Centraal explains that a Fairtrade logo with a white background may identify only a certified ingredient, not necessarily the whole product.

Which of these options is labelled vegan?

PLUS labels its dark chocolate sprinkles as vegan. The same product information warns that they may contain milk and lactose, so don’t use the vegan label as a substitute for checking allergens.

Where can I check allergens in aniseed or chocolate sprinkles?

Check the current packaging, including the ingredients and statements such as ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens in prepacked foods must be clearly and correctly stated on the label.

How should I store aniseed or chocolate sprinkles?

Follow the storage and use-by information on the packaging. The product pages cited recommend storing chocolate sprinkles in a cool, dry, dark place.