Choose aniseed sprinkles if you’re looking for an easy-to-scatter topping to enjoy on something to eat alongside your drink. If Fairtrade is a deciding factor, choose a product only if the current packaging carries a relevant claim, and check whether it applies to the whole product or just specific ingredients. The product information for the sprinkles sold by PLUS and Albert Heijn does not support a Fairtrade choice.
Want to serve something to eat with a drink and make sure it carries a verifiable Fairtrade claim? Check the packaging of the specific product to see which ingredients are covered by the certification. Fairtrade Netherlands explains that, for composite products, a claim does not automatically apply to every ingredient.
Looking for a sprinklable topping for yoghurt or cake to enjoy alongside a drink? PLUS describes De Ruijter Feestmuisjes as a topping and decoration. This use does not indicate that the product carries a Fairtrade claim.
If several guests will be eating the topping, it’s important to know the ingredients and allergens in the product you choose. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses the importance of allergen information, including for unpackaged food.
Decide whether the aniseed flavour and sprinklable form of the sprinkles matter more to you than a verifiable Fairtrade claim on an alternative. Whichever you choose, check the ingredients and allergens in the product you’re going to serve.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade claim | Read the certification mark and information on the packaging. Does the claim apply to the product or only to specific ingredients? | If Fairtrade is my deciding factor, I want to know exactly what the claim on this particular pack covers. For around 50% of consumers, checking this claim comes first. |
| Form and use | Choose aniseed sprinkles as a topping for food to enjoy alongside your drink; don’t assume they’re intended to be added to the drink itself. | For cake or yoghurt to enjoy with my drink, I’m mainly looking for that familiar aniseed flavour and a sprinklable decoration. This is the priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the current label before serving the product, and make allergen information available to your guests. | When I’m serving something to guests, I need to be able to answer their questions about ingredients and allergens. This is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
Aniseed sprinkles are sold as a sweet topping and decoration, among other things. Their form does not confirm that they are chocolate or that a Fairtrade claim applies.
Look for a relevant certification mark or a specific Fairtrade cocoa statement on the packaging of the exact product.
According to Fairtrade Netherlands, a composite product can contain Fairtrade ingredients without every ingredient being covered by the claim.
Read the information accompanying the certification mark and check whether the ingredients listed match what you’re looking for.
Guests may need information about allergens in the product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority also highlights the need for this information when food is offered unpackaged.
Check the current label and keep the product information handy when serving the topping.
De Ruijter offers aniseed sprinkles as a sweet topping, while PLUS lists Feestmuisjes for uses including as a topping.
No. According to Fairtrade Netherlands, a composite product may contain at least 20% Fairtrade ingredients overall; that doesn’t mean every ingredient is Fairtrade. Check the packaging to see what the claim applies to.
Use aniseed sprinkles as a topping or decoration on something to eat alongside your drink, such as yoghurt or cake. PLUS describes De Ruijter Feestmuisjes as suitable for these uses; don’t assume they’re intended for the drink itself unless you have a suitable recipe.
Check the ingredients and allergens in the specific product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that sellers of unpackaged food must inform customers about any allergens present. So, if you’re offering the product unpackaged, make sure you have this information available.
