Night-shift workers who want to share a treat
Looking for something they can share with colleagues in advance, without choosing it as a replacement for a regular meal.
Who is this choice relevant to?
People buying aniseed sprinkles for a celebration
Looking for aniseed sprinkles for crispbreads or decoration, for example. Albert Heijn lists aniseed sprinkles among sweet toppings and also features De Ruijter sprinkles in a baby shower selection.
People who need to check the ingredients
Want to know which ingredients and allergens are listed on the packaging of their chosen chocolate product before sharing it. This is particularly important if a colleague has a food allergy.
What should you consider when choosing?
First decide whether you’re looking for sprinkles or a ready-to-share treat. If you’re choosing chocolate for colleagues, check the portions and read the label before sharing.
| What to consider | What to check | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Meal times during your shift | Decide whether you’re looking for a treat or something for a planned meal. VGZ health insurance provider warns that a dip can follow a spike from simple sugars. | If I’m looking for something to eat during my break, I don’t want to rely on a box of chocolates as my only food. Around 45% of consumers put their meal first. |
| Sharing with colleagues | Compare the number of pieces and check whether they’re individually wrapped; the total weight alone won’t tell you how many you can hand out. | I want to know in advance whether there’ll be a piece for every colleague. For around 33% of consumers, shareability is the main consideration. |
| Product type and label | Check whether you’re buying aniseed sprinkles or chocolate. For chocolate, read the latest ingredients, allergen information and storage advice. | When I’m buying for other people, I need to know exactly what product I’m bringing and what’s in it. This is the main consideration for around 22% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking aniseed sprinkles for a box of chocolates
Albert Heijn lists aniseed sprinkles among sweet toppings, while Jumbo lists chocolates and chocolate gifts as chocolate products. Sprinkles for crispbreads are therefore not a ready-made box of chocolate pieces to share with colleagues.
Choose the product type first: aniseed sprinkles for crispbreads or decoration, or chocolate if you’re looking for a treat you can share straight away.
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Relying on chocolate to get you through the whole night shift
A chocolate treat isn’t a replacement for a planned meal. VGZ health insurance provider explains that simple sugars can give you a brief energy boost, followed by a dip.
Decide separately what you want to eat during your meal break and whether you’d also like to hand out chocolate.
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Sharing an assortment without reading the label
Ingredients and allergens vary between products and varieties. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergens must be listed on the labels of prepacked foods.
Read the latest packaging and keep the ingredients information available while colleagues choose a piece.
Brands and retailers to consider
De Ruijter
A relevant option if you’re looking for aniseed sprinkles as a sweet bread topping or a festive decoration.
- Albert Heijn features De Ruijter aniseed sprinkles in a baby shower selection.
- Aniseed sprinkles aren’t a box of ready-to-share chocolate pieces for colleagues.
Albert Heijn
A retailer where you can compare aniseed sprinkles as a sweet topping with individual chocolate products.
- Product pages for individual boxes of chocolates show details such as weight, number of pieces or allergen information.
- Albert Heijn notes that product and allergen information can change, so check the packaging of the item you choose.
Jumbo
A retailer with separate categories for chocolates and chocolate gifts.
- These categories can help you find the right type of chocolate treat.
- Check the number of pieces and the packaging of the specific item if you want to portion it out in advance.
Chocolate treats at Joybuy
These chocolate packs are options to consider as treats during a night shift. They aren’t aniseed sprinkles, and they won’t automatically replace the food you choose for your break. Portioning them out in advance is easiest when the number of pieces and individual wrapping are clear.
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Smarties milk chocolate tubes, 6 × 34 g
The six tubes make it easier to share the chocolate among a small group of colleagues.
Before sharing, check the latest packaging for ingredients and allergens, including milk, wheat and barley.
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Tony's Chocolonely chocolate gift pack, 288 g
A chocolate gift pack to consider if you’d like to treat your colleagues. Before buying, check the number of pieces and whether they’re individually wrapped if you want to portion them out in advance.
Read the latest allergen information on the packaging before sharing.
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Nestlé KitKat Itoen Matcha & Chocolate, 9 pieces, 104,4 g
The pack of nine is an option if you want to decide the number of treats in advance; also check how the pieces are wrapped.
Check the latest allergen information and best-before date on the packaging before handing them out.
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Celebrations chocolate assortment, 385 g
This assortment is a good choice for a chocolate treat to share. Check the number of pieces and whether they’re individually wrapped if you want to plan a portion for every colleague.
Check the latest packaging for ingredients and allergens before sharing the assortment.
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Milka chocolate assortment Party Pack, 143 g
A chocolate assortment for sharing. Check how many pieces it contains and whether they’re individually wrapped if you want to hand them out in advance.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the latest packaging before sharing.
Frequently asked questions
Are aniseed sprinkles the same as chocolates?
No. Albert Heijn lists aniseed sprinkles among sweet toppings, while Jumbo shows chocolates and chocolate gifts in separate chocolate categories. Choose aniseed sprinkles for crispbreads or decoration, and a chocolate treat if you want ready-to-share pieces.
Can a box of chocolates replace my meal break during a night shift?
Choose a box of chocolates as a treat, not as an assumed replacement for your planned meal. VGZ health insurance provider points out that a brief energy boost from simple sugars can be followed by a dip.
What should I check if colleagues will be sharing the chocolate?
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the latest packaging for the specific product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergens must be listed on the labels of prepacked foods; keep this information available when handing out the treats.
How should I store chocolate until the night shift?
Follow the storage advice and date on the packaging of the chocolate you choose. Albert Heijn’s product information recommends protecting Merci from heat; Ferrero Rocher should be kept dry and away from heat.