Budget-conscious commuter
You regularly prepare rusks at home for the train and want a pack suited to repeated use, rather than taking individual portions on every journey.
Who is this for?
Traveller who likes to pack simply
You want to measure out the chocolate sprinkles before you leave or take individual portions, so you don’t have to open a large pack on the train.
Label-conscious traveller
You compare the ingredients and allergens listed for the exact product. This is particularly important if you need to avoid ingredients such as milk, soya or gluten-containing cereals.
What should you look for?
When choosing chocolate sprinkles for rusks you’ll prepare before an NS train journey, first decide whether you want a pack for several journeys or individual portions. Then compare the labels on the products that suit your needs.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size | Compare the pack size with how often you prepare rusks at home and how much you use each time. | If I prepare rusks for several train journeys, I want to use one pack for that regular routine. Around 39% of consumers prioritise using a pack over several journeys. |
| Portions for travelling | Check how many individual portions there are and whether you can measure out the chocolate sprinkles before you leave. | I don’t want to open a large pack while travelling, so I’d rather take something that’s already portioned. For around 23% of consumers, convenience is their main priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack; don’t rely on the brand name or the word ‘dark’ alone. | I need to be able to check which ingredients and allergens this product contains before I choose it. This is the main consideration for around 23% of consumers. |
| Nutritional information | Check the nutritional value per 100 g and, where shown, per portion; also consider how much you use. | As I often take rusks with chocolate sprinkles with me, I want to know how much I use each time and what the label says. Around 15% of consumers say this is their main consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘dark’ means allergen-free
The word ‘dark’ doesn’t tell you which allergens a particular chocolate sprinkle product contains. The Venz Puur and De Ruijter Puur products reviewed list milk and soya.
If you have an allergy or intolerance, check the current ingredients and allergen information on the pack you’re buying. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights the importance of checking labels when you have a food allergy.
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Opening a large pack for the first time on the train
With a large pack, you’ll need to measure out the chocolate sprinkles yourself. If you’d rather not do that while travelling, rusks prepared at home or individual portions are a better fit for your journey.
Before you leave, decide how you’ll carry the rusks and any packaging. Put rubbish in the bin, in line with NS’s onboard rules.
Brands to consider
Jumbo
The Jumbo range reviewed includes chocolate sprinkles in 600 g and 380 g packs.
- The 600g products offer a pack size for anyone who prepares rusks at home more often.
- Don’t choose on pack size alone: make sure you’ll actually use the product you pick.
Albert Heijn
AH Hagelslag Puur is a 400 g own-brand product included in the review.
- The pack is an option if you’re looking for an own-brand dark chocolate sprinkle product.
- Albert Heijn warns that ingredients and allergen information may change, so check the current pack.
Venz
The review covered a 400 g pack of Venz Hagelslag Puur.
- The product reviewed lists at least 32% cocoa solids.
- This product lists milk and soya, and may contain lactose; check the label if this is relevant to you.
De Ruijter
The products reviewed include 390 g packs of Chocoladehagel Puur and Kleintjes, with eight individual portions.
- Kleintjes lets you take individual portions with you, without measuring them out from a large pack while travelling.
- Ingredients and allergens vary between products; if you buy a mix, check the information for each product too.
Chocolate sprinkles for rusks prepared at home
These packs of chocolate sprinkles suit rusks you prepare at home before your train journey. If you want to take individual portions with you, look for that feature on the packaging.
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g'woon milk chocolate sprinkles with smileys 600 g
A pack for anyone who prepares rusks at home for several journeys. Pack size: 600 g. Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack before use.
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De Ruijter dark chocolate sprinkles 390 g
A regular pack of dark chocolate sprinkles for rusks you prepare at home. Pack size: 390 g. The product reviewed lists milk and soya; if you have an allergy, check the current label.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do with packaging and crumbs on an NS train?
Put rubbish in a bin, as requested in NS’s onboard rules. Keep any packaging and crumbs with you until you can dispose of them.
What should I look for if I often take rusks with chocolate sprinkles with me?
Think about how much chocolate sprinkles you use each time and read the nutritional information for the product you choose. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, chocolate sprinkles aren’t included in the Dutch Wheel of Five. The nutritional values per 100 g and per portion can help you understand the products and quantities you use.
Is dark chocolate sprinkle product automatically free from milk and soya?
No: the Venz Puur and De Ruijter Puur products reviewed list milk and soya. If you have an allergy, always check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack, as products can differ.