Choose traditional aniseed sprinkles if you’re after an aniseed flavour on bread or crispbread. If Fairtrade-certified chocolate is a must, choose chocolate sprinkles with an explicit Fairtrade claim: the De Ruijter aniseed sprinkles we checked contain no cocoa. Then compare the chocolate sprinkles’ flavour, allergens and the information on the current packaging.
If you’re mainly looking for that familiar aniseed flavour on crispbread or bread, traditional aniseed sprinkles are a good choice. The ingredients list for De Ruijter Blue and White Aniseed Sprinkles at Albert Heijn names aniseed and contains no cocoa.
If you want chocolate on your lunch bread and an explicit Fairtrade claim, look for chocolate sprinkles rather than aniseed sprinkles. PLUS’s product information mentions Fairtrade Cocoa for its milk chocolate variety; Fairtrade Original’s dark chocolate sprinkles are labelled Fairtrade at Albert Heijn.
If you’re taking a topping with you and need to consider allergens, check the packaging for the variety you’ve chosen. The aniseed sprinkles we checked contain wheat starch; the milk information varies between the chocolate sprinkles we checked.
For bread or crispbread on the go, first choose between aniseed sprinkles and chocolate sprinkles. Then check the certification, ingredients and storage instructions on the packaging you buy.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Product type and certification | If Fairtrade chocolate is a must, check that the ingredients list includes cocoa and that the specific product carries an explicit Fairtrade claim. | If Fairtrade chocolate is my priority for lunch, I don’t want to accidentally choose aniseed sprinkles with no cocoa. Product type and certification are the main concern for around 45% of consumers. |
| Flavour and taking it with you | Choose between aniseed, milk chocolate and dark chocolate; keep any portion you take with you sealed and follow the storage instructions. | I want a flavour that goes well with my bread and to take the loose topping with me without spilling it. Flavour and practicality matter most to around 33% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current allergen information and check whether the product may contain milk; also see what the Fairtrade logo applies to. | If I need to avoid wheat or milk, the exact variety must suit my dietary requirements. Around 22% of consumers prioritise checking ingredients and labels. |
You can sprinkle both on bread or crispbread, but the ingredients list for De Ruijter Blue and White Aniseed Sprinkles at Albert Heijn names aniseed and contains no cocoa. So these sprinkles don’t meet the requirement for Fairtrade-certified chocolate.
Before you buy, decide whether you want aniseed sprinkles or chocolate with an explicit Fairtrade claim.
According to ALDI Nederland, cocoa in its products may be covered by different certifications, including Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance. The De Ruijter chocolate sprinkles listed by ALDI specifically mention Rainforest Alliance; that isn’t a Fairtrade claim for those sprinkles.
Check the certification on the exact product page and packaging, not just the retailer’s general information.
The De Ruijter aniseed sprinkles we checked contain wheat starch. Milk is an ingredient in the milk chocolate sprinkles we checked, while the product information for Fairtrade Original Dark Chocolate Sprinkles says they may contain milk.
Check the allergen information on the current packaging each time you switch products.
Fairtrade Nederland says that mass balance is permitted for cocoa. So a Fairtrade claim doesn’t automatically mean that the cocoa in every pack can be physically traced separately.
If physical traceability matters to you, read the additional information about the certification and check the packaging.
These brands are relevant if you’re choosing between traditional aniseed sprinkles and chocolate sprinkles with a product-specific Fairtrade claim; always check the specific variety.
A good option if you’re looking for traditional aniseed sprinkles. The ingredients list for the blue and white variety at Albert Heijn names sugared aniseed.
A good option for milk chocolate sprinkles whose product information, which we checked, mentions Fairtrade Cocoa. According to PLUS, the cocoa in its own-brand products is Fairtrade-certified.
A good option if you’re looking for dark chocolate sprinkles with an explicit Fairtrade claim. According to the product information at Albert Heijn, the dark variety we checked contains at least 32% cocoa solids.
A useful retailer to compare, with product information for both De Ruijter Blue and White Aniseed Sprinkles and Fairtrade Original Dark Chocolate Sprinkles.
A useful retailer if you want to check the cocoa certification for each chocolate product. ALDI Nederland lists several certification schemes for the cocoa in its products.
This product is a good fit if you’re looking for traditional aniseed sprinkles for bread or crispbread. If you’re specifically after Fairtrade-certified chocolate, this variety of sprinkles doesn’t meet that requirement.
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For anyone who wants aniseed sprinkles on bread or crispbread, not for anyone looking for Fairtrade chocolate.
The ingredients information we checked lists aniseed and wheat starch, but no cocoa. If you need to avoid wheat or gluten, check the current packaging.
No. According to the ingredients list at Albert Heijn, these sprinkles contain aniseed and wheat starch, but no cocoa or chocolate. Choose this variety for aniseed sprinkles, not to meet a requirement for Fairtrade-certified chocolate.
Look for chocolate sprinkles with an explicit Fairtrade claim for the product you’ve chosen. The PLUS milk chocolate variety we checked mentions Fairtrade Cocoa; Fairtrade Original Dark Chocolate Sprinkles are labelled Fairtrade at Albert Heijn. Then compare the flavour and allergen information.
No, not necessarily as a separate cocoa supply. Fairtrade Nederland says mass balance is permitted for cocoa. If physical traceability matters to you, read the additional information about the certification.
Pack a dry portion separately in a well-sealed container, so you can sprinkle it on your bread or crispbread just before eating. Also follow the storage instructions on the packaging for your chosen variety; these can differ between aniseed and chocolate sprinkles.
