Fairtrade-conscious tea drinker
You want to be able to see which product or ingredients a Fairtrade claim applies to. Fairtrade International says that information alongside the certification mark can explain which ingredients it covers.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Fan of traditional aniseed sprinkles
You’re looking for a sweet aniseed topping for rusks, bread or cakes, for example. Albert Heijn’s product information describes De Ruijter Blue and White Sprinkles as containing aniseed.
Shopper who checks ingredients
You read the label before choosing a variety, perhaps because wheat or the nutritional information matters to you. Albert Heijn lists wheat starch in De Ruijter Blue and White Sprinkles.
What should you look for when choosing?
Traditional aniseed sprinkles
Choose these: if you want a sweet aniseed topping for rusks, bread, yoghurt or cakes.
The trade-off: the De Ruijter sprinkles described here are not chocolate. Check the packaging itself if you require Fairtrade certification.
Fairtrade tea or chocolate on the side
Choose this: if you want to make a verifiably Fairtrade choice for a separate part of your tea-time spread.
The trade-off: certification on tea or chocolate does not automatically apply to the sprinkles you serve alongside it.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade certification | Look for the FAIRTRADE mark on the product you choose. Fairtrade International advises checking the explanation on the packaging too if the mark includes an arrow. | I want my Fairtrade choice to be verifiable for this product, even if I buy tea or chocolate separately from the sprinkles. For around 40% of consumers, checking certification on the specific product would be the main requirement. |
| Flavour and how you’ll use it | Choose deliberately between aniseed sprinkles as a topping and tea or chocolate as a separate product. | For me, tea time is all about the familiar aniseed flavour on a rusk or cake. For around 30% of consumers, that use would come first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the current ingredients, allergen and nutritional information for the variety you choose. Albert Heijn lists wheat starch in De Ruijter Blue and White Sprinkles. | I need to know what’s in my topping before serving it. Around 20% of consumers would consider checking ingredients their main priority. |
| Convenience when shopping | Check the specific product and its packaging, even if the shop sells Fairtrade products in other categories. | I want to make it easy to shop for tea time without confusing different products. For around 10% of consumers, convenience would matter most. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a Fairtrade range means the sprinkles are Fairtrade
A supermarket selling Fairtrade tea or chocolate tells you nothing about the certification on an individual packet of sprinkles.
If you’re looking for a Fairtrade product, check the mark and any information about the ingredients on the packaging of the product you’re buying.
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Mistaking sprinkles for chocolate
De Ruijter Blue and White Sprinkles, as described by Albert Heijn, contain aniseed; cocoa is not listed among the ingredients. Fairtrade chocolate therefore plays a different role at tea time.
Choose sprinkles for an aniseed topping, and chocolate separately if you wish.
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Not checking the label on the variety you choose
Ingredients can vary between products. Albert Heijn lists wheat starch among the ingredients in De Ruijter Blue and White Sprinkles.
Before use, check the current ingredients, allergen and nutritional information, and storage instructions on the packaging.
Brands and shops to consider
De Ruijter
De Ruijter makes aniseed sprinkles to use as a topping. Albert Heijn lists sugar, aniseed and wheat starch in the blue and white variety.
- Worth considering if you’re looking for traditional aniseed sprinkles.
- Don’t assume the product is Fairtrade-certified or contains cocoa based on its name; check the packaging of the variety you choose.
PLUS
PLUS talks about Fairtrade cocoa in its own-brand range. That company-wide claim does not automatically apply to sprinkles from another brand.
- A shop where you can look for individual products made with Fairtrade cocoa.
- Check the packaging separately when buying sprinkles.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists De Ruijter Blue and White Sprinkles. Fairtrade Nederland also names Fairtrade-certified products from Albert Heijn, including chocolate and tea.
- A good option if you want to pair sprinkles with a separate Fairtrade product.
- Certification on chocolate or tea tells you nothing about the sprinkles.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists several varieties of De Ruijter sprinkles; Fairtrade Nederland also mentions Fairtrade products at Jumbo.
- A good place to look at sprinkles and other products for tea time separately.
- Check each product you choose for the Fairtrade mark.
ALDI
ALDI Nederland lists Fairtrade chocolate and coffee among its Fairtrade products.
- Worth considering for a separate Fairtrade product to enjoy at tea time.
- Information about chocolate or coffee in the range does not confirm that sprinkles are certified.
Products to enjoy with tea
These two products have different roles: chocolate as a separate treat with tea, and traditional aniseed sprinkles as a topping. Always check the packaging of the product to which your Fairtrade requirement applies.
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Tony's Chocolonely Milk Pecan Caramel chocolate bar, 180 g
A chocolate bar to enjoy with tea as a separate product, not as a substitute for aniseed sprinkles. Check the packaging if a Fairtrade mark or information about Fairtrade ingredients matters to you.
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De Ruijter Blue and White Sprinkles, 330 g
For anyone looking for aniseed sprinkles to top a rusk or cake. Albert Heijn’s ingredient information for this variety lists aniseed and wheat starch. If you have an allergy or require Fairtrade certification, check the current packaging.
Frequently asked questions
How can I identify a Fairtrade product to enjoy with tea?
Look for the FAIRTRADE mark on the packaging of the specific product. Fairtrade International says that an arrow beside the mark may point to information on the back about the ingredients and sourcing. A general message from a shop is no substitute for product information.
Are De Ruijter Feestmuisjes chocolate?
No. PLUS describes De Ruijter Feestmuisjes as aniseed covered in a layer of sugar. If you’re looking for chocolate to enjoy with tea, choose it as a separate product.
Can I choose De Ruijter sprinkles without checking if I have a wheat allergy?
No, check the current packaging of the variety you’ve chosen first. Albert Heijn lists wheat starch in De Ruijter Blue and White Sprinkles. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses that allergens must be clearly listed on the labels of pre-packed foods.
How should I store sprinkles for another tea-time treat?
Follow the storage instructions and use-by date on the packaging of your sprinkles. According to the product information, the De Ruijter varieties checked should be stored in a dry place.