A family looking for Fairtrade cocoa
Wants to choose chocolate sprinkles for rusks based on a clear Fairtrade statement, without confusing it with another sustainability certification.
Who is this choice relevant to?
A parent weighing up a sweet holiday treat
Wants to serve rusks with chocolate sprinkles, but also considers how much is used and what else their child eats during the day. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises giving children aged 4 to 12 mainly foods from the Dutch Wheel of Five as snacks.
A shopper who needs to check ingredients
Needs the ingredients and allergen information for both the chosen chocolate sprinkles and the rusks. A product name or certification does not replace those checks.
What should you look for when choosing?
When choosing rusks with chocolate sprinkles for the school holidays, first decide whether Fairtrade cocoa, the place of a sweet snack in your child's diet or the ingredients matters most to you. Then check the labels on the exact products you plan to use.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade cocoa | Check the current Fairtrade statement and what ingredient it applies to. A Rainforest Alliance logo is not a Fairtrade statement. | I want to know whether the cocoa in my chocolate sprinkles is Fairtrade before choosing based on taste. For around 40% of consumers, this would be their main purchasing priority. |
| A sweet holiday treat | Compare sugars and saturated fat per 100 g; also consider how much chocolate sprinkles you actually use. | If rusks with chocolate sprinkles are a snack for my child, I want to weigh them up against the other things they eat that day. Around 30% of consumers would put this consideration first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and allergen information on both the chocolate sprinkles and the rusks. Check the rusk label for baker's salt too, if that matters to you. | I need to be able to check which ingredients both products contain before serving them together. For around 30% of consumers, this would be their main concern. |
Common mistakes
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Confusing Rainforest Alliance with Fairtrade
The De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur product examined states that its cocoa is Rainforest Alliance certified. This is not the same as a Fairtrade statement for cocoa.
If you specifically want Fairtrade cocoa, check the packaging of your chosen chocolate sprinkles to see whether it makes that claim and what it applies to.
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Comparing only the cocoa percentage
A cocoa percentage does not tell you whether chocolate sprinkles are Fairtrade certified or how much sugar another variety contains. The percentage can also vary from product to product.
Compare the certification you want, sugars and saturated fat per 100 g separately. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends using this measure to compare the nutritional values of products.
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Skipping the rusk label
The ingredients in the chocolate sprinkles tell you nothing about the ingredients in the rusks. You also cannot tell from the product category alone whether a particular type of rusk was made with iodised baker's salt.
Read both packs just before serving, especially if ingredients or allergens are important to your choice.
Brands and shops to consider
Fairtrade Original
The 380 g dark chocolate sprinkles examined are worth considering if you are specifically looking for a Fairtrade statement for cocoa.
- Fairtrade Original states that this product contains at least 32% cocoa solids.
- The product may contain milk. Check the current packaging to see what the Fairtrade statement applies to.
De Ruijter
The Specials Intens Puur variety examined offers a different certification route: according to Albert Heijn's product information, it contains Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa.
- This variety is stated to contain at least 52% cocoa solids.
- Rainforest Alliance certification does not confirm Fairtrade certification. Also check the packaging for allergens in the variety you choose.
Venz
Venz is a chocolate sprinkles brand to consider if you want to compare different varieties and labels.
- Kraft Heinz lists chocolate sprinkles in the Venz range.
- Check for the Fairtrade claim you want on the specific pack, rather than relying on the brand name.
Albert Heijn
A shop where you can compare different brands of chocolate sprinkles side by side.
- The range includes products from Fairtrade Original, De Ruijter and Venz, among others.
- Fairtrade Netherlands listing Fairtrade products at Albert Heijn says nothing about the certification of each individual chocolate sprinkles product.
Jumbo
A shop with a separate product listing for Fairtrade Original Dark Chocolate Sprinkles 380 g.
- The product information lists ingredients and states that the chocolate sprinkles may contain milk.
- A product listing or shop range does not confirm the features of other chocolate sprinkles varieties; check the label on the pack you choose.
Chocolate sprinkles on Joybuy
These dark chocolate sprinkles are options to compare for a sweet treat with rusks. If you specifically want Fairtrade cocoa, choose only after checking the Fairtrade statement on the packaging of the particular variety.
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De Ruijter Intense dark chocolate sprinkles, 200 g
An option to consider if you want to serve dark chocolate sprinkles on rusks. Compare the nutritional information and allergens on the packaging, and check separately for any Fairtrade statement.
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De Ruijter dark chocolate sprinkles, 390 g
An option to compare if you are looking for dark chocolate sprinkles for rusks. Read the nutritional information and allergen details on this pack, and do not assume it has a Fairtrade claim unless you can see one on the label.
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g'woon dark chocolate sprinkles, 400 g
An option for anyone wanting to compare dark chocolate sprinkles for rusks. Check the label for nutritional information, allergens and the precise meaning of any certification.
Frequently asked questions
Are chocolate sprinkles made with Rainforest Alliance cocoa also Fairtrade?
No. A Rainforest Alliance statement alone does not confirm Fairtrade certification. If you specifically want Fairtrade cocoa for rusks with chocolate sprinkles, check the current packaging to make sure the Fairtrade statement is there and applies to the cocoa.
Are rusks with chocolate sprinkles suitable as a daily snack during the school holidays?
It is better not to make them an automatic everyday choice for children. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises giving children aged 4 to 12 mainly foods from the Dutch Wheel of Five as snacks, and eating or drinking between meals no more than four times a day. If you are serving a sweet treat, also consider how much chocolate sprinkles you use.
Where should I check for allergens in rusks with chocolate sprinkles?
Check the allergen information on both packs. The dark chocolate sprinkles from Fairtrade Original examined may contain milk; the information may differ for another variety. So read the labels on the exact chocolate sprinkles and rusks you are using.
Do rusks always contain iodised baker's salt?
No, you cannot tell from the name ‘rusks’ alone. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes baker's salt as a possible source of iodine compounds in bakery products. Check the ingredients list for the specific rusks if this matters to your choice.