Who is this choice relevant to?

Consumers who prioritise Fairtrade cocoa

You’re looking for sprinkles where you can check both the Fairtrade mark and the presence of cocoa. Aniseed sprinkles and chocolate sprinkles are different product categories.

Consumers who want to serve rusks with traditional sprinkles

For a birth celebration or special occasion, the colour and aniseed flavour you want are key. When ordering, also check the pack size and allergens for your chosen variety.

Consumers with a set delivery date

If you need the sprinkles for a particular day, check the available delivery or collection slot for your retailer and postcode before completing your order.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you want aniseed sprinkles or whether cocoa with a Fairtrade mark is more important. Then check whether your chosen product can be delivered or collected in time.

Aniseed sprinkles

Choose these if: You want to keep the traditional colours and aniseed flavour of rusks topped with sprinkles.

Consider: The ingredients list for De Ruijter Blue and White Sprinkles at Albert Heijn does not mention cocoa, so this variety isn’t a chocolate option.

Fairtrade chocolate sprinkles

Choose these if: Cocoa with a verifiable Fairtrade mark matters more to you than the traditional sprinkles format.

Consider: Chocolate sprinkles don’t have the aniseed flavour or colourful appearance of traditional sprinkles. Check the packaging to see what the Fairtrade mark applies to.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Fairtrade cocoa Read the cocoa ingredients and check exactly what the Fairtrade mark on the packaging covers. If cocoa is my main requirement, I want to see what the certification applies to. Around 42% of consumers would make Fairtrade cocoa their main purchase requirement.
Traditional sprinkles Check the colour variety, pack size, ingredients and allergens for the pack you choose. For rusks topped with sprinkles, I mainly want the familiar colours and aniseed flavour. Around 33% of consumers would prioritise this traditional use.
Delivery or collection Check the time slot and ordering conditions for your retailer and postcode before completing your order. If I need the sprinkles for a set date, I want to know they’ll arrive or be ready in time. On-time delivery or collection would be the top priority for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming traditional sprinkles and chocolate sprinkles are the same

    Both can be sprinkled on bread, but according to the ingredients list at Albert Heijn, De Ruijter Blue and White Sprinkles contain aniseed and no cocoa. Fairtrade Original Dark Chocolate Sprinkles are a chocolate sprinkle product.

    Decide which flavour and product category you want before choosing.

  • Mistaking a general Fairtrade reference for product certification

    According to Fairtrade International, a Fairtrade mark with an arrow calls for extra attention to the ingredients and sourcing method. Milieu Centraal explains that a mark on a white background may apply to a certified ingredient rather than the whole product.

    Read the mark and the accompanying information on the packaging of the product you want to order.

  • Waiting until checkout to check the delivery slot

    At PLUS, available slots depend on your chosen store and when you place your order. There’s also a minimum spend for online grocery orders.

    Select your store and postcode, then check the time slot, collection option and ordering conditions before completing your order.

  • Relying only on the online ingredients list

    Product information can change. The ingredients list for De Ruijter Blue and White Sprinkles at Albert Heijn includes wheat starch, which is particularly relevant if you need to avoid wheat or gluten.

    Always check the current packaging before serving the product, too.

Relevant brands and retailers

De Ruijter

De Ruijter makes coloured and crushed aniseed sprinkles; Jumbo lists both types in its sprinkles category.

  • According to Albert Heijn, the blue and white variety contains ingredients including sugar and aniseed.
  • The ingredients list for this variety does not mention cocoa. Check the colour, pack size and allergens on each pack to make sure it’s right for your occasion.

Fairtrade Original

Albert Heijn lists Fairtrade Original Dark Chocolate Sprinkles as chocolate sprinkles with the Fairtrade mark.

  • The listed ingredients include cocoa powder, cocoa mass and cocoa butter.
  • These are chocolate sprinkles, not aniseed sprinkles. Check the packaging to see what the Fairtrade mark applies to.

Albert Heijn

Lists separate product pages for De Ruijter Blue and White Sprinkles and Fairtrade Original Dark Chocolate Sprinkles.

  • The product pages make it easy to compare the listed ingredients and product categories.
  • Product information can change, so check the packaging for ingredients and allergens, too.

Jumbo

Lists coloured and crushed varieties from De Ruijter in its sprinkles category.

  • You can compare the colours and pack sizes shown in the category.
  • Check the ingredients and any Fairtrade mark on the pack you choose; the category alone doesn’t tell you whether the cocoa is certified.

PLUS

Lists De Ruijter Blue and White Sprinkles and offers delivery or collection for online grocery orders.

  • You can check your product options alongside the available delivery or collection slots.
  • PLUS has a minimum order spend; available slots depend on the store and when you place your order.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are De Ruijter Blue and White Sprinkles a Fairtrade cocoa option?

No, not if you’re specifically looking for chocolate made with Fairtrade cocoa: the ingredients list for this variety at Albert Heijn mentions aniseed but no cocoa or chocolate. Check other varieties individually by reading their packaging.

How can I check the Fairtrade mark on chocolate sprinkles?

Read both the certification mark and the information on the packaging to see whether it applies to the whole product or just one ingredient. For a mark with an arrow, Fairtrade International points to additional information about the ingredients and sourcing. Albert Heijn lists the Fairtrade mark and cocoa ingredients for Fairtrade Original Dark Chocolate Sprinkles.

Can I have traditional sprinkles delivered?

Check with your chosen supermarket to see whether your preferred variety can be ordered to your postcode for your chosen date. PLUS offers delivery and collection, but available slots depend on the store and when you place your order. There’s also a minimum order spend.

What should I look out for in traditional sprinkles if wheat or gluten is a concern?

Read the current ingredients and allergen information for the variety you choose. Albert Heijn lists wheat starch in De Ruijter Blue and White Sprinkles; check the physical packaging as well, as product information can change.