Which stalls need to make this choice?

Busy stall with one regular topping

If you mainly use one variety, a larger pack can mean fewer packaging changes. Albert Heijn and Lidl Netherlands list 550 g and 600 g packs, as well as smaller options.

Stall offering a choice of dark or milk chocolate

If you want to offer the flavours separately, check the pack size and ingredients for each variety. Don’t use the allergen information for a milk variety for a dark variety, or vice versa.

Stallholder serving unwrapped Dutch doughnuts

If you sell chocolate sprinkles on or alongside unwrapped Dutch doughnuts, the allergen information you provide must match what you’re selling. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority requires customers to be able to get this information before purchase.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you’ll use a lot of one topping or want to offer different flavours. Then check the information you’ll need when selling each variety you choose.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Pack size and rate of use Compare the net weight with how much you expect to use. Albert Heijn lists 600 g for its mix; Lidl Netherlands lists XXL packs of 550 g. If one topping sells quickly, I want to open fewer new packs during service. For around 42% of consumers, having enough in the pack is the most important factor.
Flavour and variety Check whether you’re buying dark, milk or a mix. According to its product page, Albert Heijn’s 600 g mix is 50% dark and 50% white. If I want customers to choose between flavours, I’d rather have separate varieties than one fixed mix. For around 33% of consumers, having that choice of flavour comes first.
Allergen information Check the current packaging for each topping. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says customers must be able to get information about allergens present in unwrapped foods before purchase. When serving unwrapped Dutch doughnuts, I want to be able to say which allergens are present in each topping. This is the most important purchasing concern for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Choosing based on pack size alone

    A 600 g pack isn’t automatically a dark or milk variety. According to its product page, Albert Heijn’s 600 g Hagelslag mix is 50% dark and 50% white.

    Decide which flavour you want to serve first, then compare pack sizes.

  • Using the same allergen information for every variety

    The product pages show differences between the varieties reviewed: AH Hagelslag mix lists milk and lactose, Venz XXL milk also lists soya, and De Ruijter Chocoladehagel puur lists milk and soya and may contain lactose.

    Keep the information for each pack separate and update the details at your stall whenever you change products.

    Changing varieties may also mean updating your signs or other allergen information.

  • Treating an online title as a complete label

    Lidl Netherlands’ product pages list 550 g and 600 g packs of the chocolate sprinkles reviewed, which are available in store only. The title alone won’t tell you which ingredients and allergens are listed on the pack.

    Read the label in store before choosing a variety for your stall.

  • Continuing to use an old label

    Albert Heijn warns on its product pages that product information, including ingredients and allergens, can change.

    Check the packaging when you restock and update the information for customers if needed.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists a 600 g Hagelslag mix and a 380 g XL dark variety.

  • According to its product page, the 600 g mix contains 50% dark and 50% white chocolate sprinkles.
  • The mix isn’t the right choice if you want to offer only dark chocolate sprinkles; the label lists milk and lactose.

Venz

Jumbo lists 380 g Venz XXL milk chocolate sprinkles.

  • Venz describes the pieces in this XXL milk variety as extra large.
  • The product information for this variety lists milk, soya and lactose; check the label if you use it.

De Ruijter

Albert Heijn and Jumbo list a 390 g De Ruijter dark chocolate sprinkles variety.

  • A separate dark variety is a good fit if you want to offer dark and milk as distinct options.
  • The dark variety reviewed lists milk and soya and may contain lactose; don’t assume it’s allergen-free from the name ‘dark’.

Mister Choc / Lidl

Lidl Netherlands lists 600 g Mister Choc dark chocolate sprinkles and 550 g XXL packs in dark and milk varieties, marked as available in store only.

  • The listed pack sizes give you larger individual varieties to compare.
  • Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack you actually buy in store.

Chocolate sprinkles and sugar strands on Joybuy

These two packs offer different options for a chocolate sprinkles topping: a 600 g pack for anyone who uses a lot of one variety, and a 380 g option for those who also want to offer another variety. Before using them on Dutch doughnuts, check the current packaging and the information you give customers.

g'woon Milk Chocolate Sprinkles With Smileys, 600 g

g'woon Milk Chocolate Sprinkles With Smileys 600 g

An option if you want to use one variety of chocolate sprinkles in a larger pack. The product name lists 600 g and Milk Chocolate With Smileys; check the current pack for the exact ingredients, allergens and suitability for the way you serve them.

View on Joybuy
Venz Sprinkles Beer Milk Vanilla, 380 g

Venz Sprinkles Beer Milk Vanilla 380 g

An option if you want to offer another variety alongside your regular topping. The product name lists 380 g; check the current pack for the exact variety, ingredients and allergens before serving these sprinkles on Dutch doughnuts.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to provide allergen information for Dutch doughnuts with chocolate sprinkles?

Yes. If you sell the Dutch doughnuts unwrapped, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says customers must be able to get information about allergens present before purchase. You can provide this information in writing or verbally. If you give it verbally, a member of staff must be able to provide it straight away. It must also be available in writing or electronically for staff and inspectors, and there must be a clear notice at the point of sale.

Can I use the same allergen information for dark, milk and mixed varieties?

No, check each variety separately. According to the product pages reviewed, AH Hagelslag mix lists milk and lactose, Venz XXL milk also lists soya, and De Ruijter Chocoladehagel puur lists milk and soya; the latter may contain lactose. Use the current packaging as the basis for the information at your stall.

Is a 600 g pack always more convenient for a Dutch doughnut stall?

No. A 600 g pack is best suited to using a lot of one topping and opening new packs less often. If you offer several flavours separately or want to see how much of each variety customers prefer, the 380–390 g packs listed by Albert Heijn and Jumbo may be a better fit.

How should I store chocolate sprinkles after opening?

Follow the storage and resealing instructions on the pack you’re using. The Albert Heijn and Venz product pages reviewed recommend storing the sprinkles in a cool, dark and dry place. Also check the best-before date on the current pack.