If you want plain chocolate sprinkles on rusks, first choose sprinkles whose current ingredient and allergen information meets your needs; the name ‘plain’ or a higher cocoa content is no guarantee. Then compare cocoa and nutritional information: De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur states a minimum cocoa content of 52%, but also contains milk and soya. Check the rusks separately for any allergens you need to avoid.
Plain chocolate sprinkles are not automatically milk-free. The product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo lists milk in the AH, De Ruijter and Venz varieties reviewed; Céréal says that its product may contain milk. Check the packaging against the ingredients you need to avoid.
The De Ruijter, Venz and Céréal varieties reviewed list soya. The online ingredient information for AH Hagelslag Puur lists milk and lactose, but not soya. Check the current packaging for this variety too before choosing it.
De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur states a minimum cocoa solids content of 52% and 43 g of sugars per 100 g. The standard De Ruijter variety reviewed states a minimum cocoa content of 32% and 64 g of sugars per 100 g. This comparison is only useful when choosing if the allergen information for both varieties meets your requirements.
When choosing plain chocolate sprinkles for rusks, first work out which allergens you need to avoid. Then compare cocoa, sugars and sweeteners; assess the ingredients in the rusks separately.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens | Read the ingredients, allergen information and any ‘may contain’ warning on the specific pack. | If I need to avoid an allergen, I want to know whether this particular variety meets my requirements. For around 40% of consumers, finding a match for their allergen requirements comes first. |
| Cocoa and flavour preferences | Compare the stated cocoa content only once the allergen information meets your needs. | I’m looking for sprinkles with more cocoa, but I don’t want to skip the allergen check to get them. Around 30% of consumers say that choosing the cocoa content is their top priority. |
| Sugars and sweeteners | Compare sugars and polyols per 100 g, and read any sweetener warnings. | When comparing toppings, I focus on their sugars and sweeteners as well as the allergens. This comes first for around 20% of consumers. |
| Packaging and base | Check the current packaging for both the sprinkles and the rusks; only consider information about baker’s salt for the bread it relates to. | I want to be sure I’m checking the right version sold by the retailer and the right rusks, rather than relying on different packaging. For around 10% of consumers, checking the specific product is the top priority. |
The plain chocolate sprinkle varieties reviewed list various allergens, including milk and soya. A flavour name doesn’t tell you whether a product is suitable if you need to avoid a particular allergen.
Before buying, compare the ingredients and allergen information on the specific pack with your requirements.
De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur states a higher cocoa content than the standard variety reviewed, but it also contains milk and soya.
Use cocoa content as a secondary consideration, after checking the allergens.
Céréal Hagelslag Puur lists 7.7 g of sugars and 40 g of polyols per 100 g. The product contains soya, may contain milk and carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
As well as the nutritional information, read the ingredients, allergen information and warnings on the packaging.
Product ingredients can change. Lidl also says that it does not provide an online list of ingredients, allergens or nutritional values for its food products.
Check the pack when you buy it, or ask for information about the exact variety before checking it against your allergy requirements.
The standard variety reviewed and Specials Intens Puur offer a direct comparison of cocoa content and nutritional information.
Venz Puur Chocolade Hagelslag is a standard variety reviewed, with a minimum cocoa solids content of 32%.
AH Hagelslag Puur is a supermarket own-brand variety reviewed, sold in a 600 g pack.
Jumbo’s product information provides product-specific details for the varieties reviewed, including those from De Ruijter, Venz and Céréal.
The Céréal Hagelslag Puur variety reviewed contains maltitol and has a different stated sugar and polyol content from the standard De Ruijter variety reviewed.
No. ‘Plain’ does not mean that chocolate sprinkles are free from milk or soya. The product information reviewed from Albert Heijn and Jumbo lists milk in AH, De Ruijter and Venz products; De Ruijter and Venz also list soya. Céréal lists soya and may contain milk. Always read the label on the specific pack.
Check the ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that 14 allergens must be declared on food labels. Compare the information on the pack with the allergen you need to avoid.
Don’t treat ‘may contain’ as an ingredient, but don’t ignore the warning if you have a relevant allergy. Consider the substance listed in line with the advice for your allergy; if you’re unsure what the warning means, ask for more information about the exact product.
No. Information about baker’s salt in bread doesn’t tell you anything about the sprinkles on your rusks. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt when baking bread is not compulsory. Check the ingredients in the rusks separately; don’t assume they’re the same as those in the topping.
Check the packaging for the exact variety or ask Lidl for product-specific information. Lidl says that it does not provide an online list of ingredients, allergens or nutritional values for its food products. Only choose the product once you can check the relevant allergen information.
