Who is this choice relevant to?

Hosts looking for a Fairtrade option

You want to serve chocolate with a recognisable Fairtrade mark, while keeping in mind that chocolate sprinkles are different from crushed aniseed sprinkles.

Fans of aniseed sprinkles

You’re looking for crushed aniseed sprinkles, perhaps for crispbread or as a decoration, and don’t want to accidentally swap the aniseed flavour for chocolate.

Hosts who need to check for allergens

You want to be able to check the labels before serving. According to Albert Heijn, De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes contains wheat; the product information for Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur says it may contain milk.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you want to serve aniseed sprinkles or chocolate with a Fairtrade mark. Then check the packaging of your chosen product, especially if any guests need to avoid certain allergens.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Fairtrade mark Check the mark on the packaging you choose; don’t confuse it with Rainforest Alliance. If I want to serve Fairtrade chocolate, I want to be sure the certification applies to this product. This is the top priority for around 50% of consumers.
Aniseed flavour and product type Check whether you’re buying crushed aniseed seeds or chocolate sprinkles. If you’re expecting aniseed sprinkles on crispbread, you won’t want chocolate as a substitute; the aniseed flavour is the deciding factor for around 30% of consumers.
Allergens Read the label on the product you buy and keep different sprinkles separate when serving. When I’m hosting guests with food allergies, I want to know exactly what I’m putting on the table. Checking allergens is the top priority for around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming crushed aniseed sprinkles are chocolate sprinkles

    The ingredients list for De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes at Albert Heijn includes aniseed and no cocoa. Fairtrade chocolate sprinkles therefore have a different flavour and are a different type of product.

    Decide which one you want to serve. If guests might expect both flavours, you can offer them separately.

  • Confusing another sustainability label with Fairtrade

    ALDI lists Rainforest Alliance cocoa for Kiekeboe Hagelslag Puur. That label does not confirm that the product is Fairtrade-certified.

    If Fairtrade is a must, check for the Fairtrade mark on the specific product.

  • Guessing which allergens are present from the product name

    According to the product information, the aniseed variety reviewed contains wheat, while the plain Fairtrade chocolate sprinkles may contain milk. The product type alone doesn’t tell you enough to cater for guests with allergies.

    Read the current packaging, keep it handy during drinks and use separate spoons for different sprinkles.

Brands to consider

De Ruijter

The De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes reviewed are aniseed sprinkles in a 270 g pack, as described by Jumbo.

  • A good fit for drinks where crushed aniseed sprinkles and aniseed flavour are what you’re after.
  • The ingredients list at Albert Heijn includes wheat and no cocoa; don’t treat this product as Fairtrade chocolate.

Fairtrade Original

Albert Heijn lists the Fairtrade mark for Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur.

  • An option when you want to serve chocolate sprinkles with this certification.
  • These aren’t aniseed sprinkles and, according to the product information, they may contain milk.

Kiekeboe

ALDI describes Kiekeboe Hagelslag Puur as plain chocolate sprinkles in a 600 g pack.

  • A pack to consider if you’re specifically looking for plain chocolate sprinkles.
  • ALDI lists Rainforest Alliance cocoa; this doesn’t confirm that the product carries a Fairtrade mark.

Way To Go

Lidl describes Way To Go as a range of Fairtrade-certified chocolate products.

  • Worth considering if a separate chocolate treat would suit your drinks spread.
  • A chocolate bar doesn’t serve the same purpose as sprinkles on crispbread.

Chocolate as a separate treat for drinks on Joybuy

This bar is a good choice if you want to serve chocolate as a separate treat. It isn’t a substitute for crushed aniseed sprinkles or chocolate sprinkles to use as a topping.

Tony's Chocolonely Milk Pecan Caramel, 180 g

Tony's Chocolonely Milk Pecan Caramel, 180 g

For anyone who wants to offer a separate chocolate treat alongside the aniseed sprinkles.

180 g bar with pecan and caramel. The product description mentions Fairtrade; check the certification and allergen information on the packaging before serving the bar.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes Fairtrade chocolate?

No, it isn’t a chocolate product. The ingredients list at Albert Heijn includes aniseed and wheat starch, among other ingredients, but no cocoa. If you want to present the sprinkles themselves as a Fairtrade product, check the mark on the pack you buy.

Which chocolate sprinkles are suitable if you need a Fairtrade option for drinks?

Albert Heijn lists the Fairtrade mark for Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur. Choose this option if chocolate sprinkles are what you want to serve, and check the mark on the packaging. They won’t give you the aniseed flavour of crushed aniseed sprinkles.

Is Rainforest Alliance the same as Fairtrade?

No, they’re different certification schemes. ALDI lists Rainforest Alliance cocoa for Kiekeboe Hagelslag Puur; if you specifically want Fairtrade, look for the Fairtrade mark on the product you buy.

Which allergens should I check for in these sprinkles?

At the very least, check the wheat warning for De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes and the notice that Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur may contain milk. Read the label on the pack you buy for all relevant allergens, and keep the sprinkles separate when serving.