Breakfast lovers looking for a sweet topping
You want to put chocolate sprinkles on rusks and are choosing between, for example, milk or dark chocolate. Pack size matters if you use the topping regularly.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Shoppers checking allergens
A flavour name doesn’t tell you which allergens a product contains. The varieties described here include milk and soya, among other ingredients; mixed packs may contain other allergens too. Always read the label on the exact pack.
Households keeping an eye on portions
You want to serve a sweet breakfast while keeping track of how many sprinkles you use. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre doesn’t include chocolate sprinkles in its Wheel of Five and highlights their sugar and saturated fat content.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you’re looking for a topping to sprinkle on rusks or chocolate to give as a gift. If you choose sprinkles, compare the flavour, the amount you’ll use per rusk and the label on the exact variety.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour and use | Look for a topping you can sprinkle on rusks and choose your preferred milk or dark chocolate flavour. | If you want to top rusks with sprinkles, choose a flavour that works well with them. For around 33% of consumers, flavour and suitability as a sprinkle-on topping come first. |
| Portion and nutritional value | Compare sugar and saturated fat per 100 g or per equivalent portion; also check the stated portion size. | If you enjoy sprinkling chocolate on your breakfast but want to keep an eye on the amount, a clear portion guide can help. For around 33% of consumers, the amount used and nutritional value are the top priorities. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the label for the exact flavour and pack; don’t rely on the words ‘dark’ or ‘milk’ alone. | If milk or soya is a concern for you, you’ll want to know what’s in the pack before choosing it. Checking allergens is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Variety and packaging | Check which flavours are included in a mix and whether individual packs or a larger pack suit your needs; also check the storage instructions. | If you’re serving breakfast to people with different tastes, you may want to offer a choice without opening a large pack of every flavour. Around 9% of consumers give variety and packaging the highest priority. |
Common mistakes
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Comparing a box of chocolates with a breakfast topping
A box of chocolates and a pack of sprinkles are designed for different uses. The chocolate sprinkle products described here are sold as bread toppings, so a box of chocolates isn’t a like-for-like alternative if you’re looking for something to sprinkle on rusks.
Start with how you’ll use it: look for chocolate sprinkles or flakes if you want something to sprinkle on rusks. Consider a box of chocolates separately as a gift or a sweet treat.
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Assuming dark chocolate contains no milk
Jumbo’s product page lists milk and soya as allergens in Venz Puur Chocolade Hagelslag. The ingredients may also vary between varieties in a mixed pack.
Before buying or eating it, check the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack of your chosen variety.
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Focusing only on the size of a large pack
A 600 g pack doesn’t tell you how much you’ll use at breakfast. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights the sugar and saturated fat in chocolate sprinkles, and advises sealing an opened pack well and storing it in a dry place.
Compare the portion size with how much you use and choose a pack size you can store properly.
Brands to consider
De Ruijter
De Ruijter offers chocolate sprinkles in milk and dark chocolate flavours, among others. The milk chocolate variety described here comes in a 390 g pack.
- According to Albert Heijn’s product information, De Ruijter Chocoladehagel melk contains at least 20% cocoa solids; the cocoa is described as Rainforest Alliance certified.
- This milk chocolate variety lists milk, lactose and soya. Check the label again if you choose a different flavour.
Venz
Venz offers dark chocolate sprinkles, as well as Mini’s with different varieties in individual packs.
- Jumbo states that Venz Puur contains at least 32% cocoa solids. According to Albert Heijn, Venz Mini’s contains ten packs in eight varieties.
- The dark chocolate sprinkles list milk and soya; the mini mix also contains other allergens. The words ‘dark’ and ‘mini’ are no substitute for checking the label.
Jumbo
Jumbo sells milk chocolate sprinkles in a 600 g pack.
- Jumbo states that this variety contains 30 portions of 20 g and at least 20% cocoa solids.
- Milk is listed as an allergen in this variety. A large pack is best suited to you if you also take portion sizes and storage into account.
Kiekeboe
Kiekeboe is an ALDI own-brand range that includes a 600 g pack of dark chocolate sprinkles.
- ALDI describes this variety as dark chocolate sprinkles made with Rainforest Alliance cocoa.
- For information on ingredients, allergens or nutritional value, rely on the label of the exact pack, not the word ‘dark’ in the flavour name.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I use a box of chocolates on rusks instead of sprinkles?
Chocolate sprinkles are the right product category for a topping you can sprinkle on rusks. The sprinkles described here are sold as bread toppings; consider a box of chocolates separately if you’re looking for a chocolate gift or a sweet treat.
Should I check for milk and soya in dark chocolate sprinkles?
Yes. The word ‘dark’ doesn’t rule out these allergens: Jumbo lists milk and soya in Venz Puur Chocolade Hagelslag. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack of the variety you want to use.
How should I store an opened pack of chocolate sprinkles?
Seal the pack well and store it in a dry place. For opened packs of chocolate sprinkles, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends a maximum of one year in a kitchen cupboard. Also follow the use-by date and storage advice on the pack.
What packaging information can help me choose chocolate sprinkles?
Compare the ingredients, allergens, net quantity, use-by date and nutritional value of the exact variety. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority emphasises that any allergens present must be clearly identifiable on the label of pre-packed foods.