Parents looking for an occasional sweet topping
Consider sprinkles as a small treat on bread, alongside other parts of the lunch. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre classifies chocolate bread toppings as outside the Dutch Wheel of Five.
Who might want chocolate sprinkles?
Shoppers who pay attention to pack size
Choose a pack that suits how often the pupil eats sprinkles, and be prepared to accept a more limited choice of flavours.
Shoppers who need to check allergens
Check the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings for the variant you choose. Milk, soya and wheat are among the allergens relevant to the products reviewed.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether you’re looking for a bread topping for a school lunch or chocolate to give as a gift. If you’re choosing sprinkles, consider how much you’ll use, check the latest label and think about how often the pack will be opened.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Nutritional value | Check the portion and compare sugars and saturated fat per serving. | If I add sprinkles to bread occasionally, I want to know how much I’m using and what else is in the lunch. For around 31% of consumers, this nutritional consideration matters most. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients, allergens and warnings on the latest pack; don’t rely on terms such as ‘dark’ or ‘vegan’ alone. | If I have a relevant allergy, I need to be able to check the chosen pack before the sprinkles go to school. This check comes first for around 31% of consumers. |
| Pack size | Choose a pack size that suits how often the sprinkles will be used, and check the best-before date. | If the pack will only be opened occasionally, I don’t want to choose a larger size than necessary. For around 23% of consumers, choosing a pack that suits how it will be used is the main consideration. |
| Flavour | Choose between milk, dark or a mix, then check the ingredients for that specific variant. | If the pupil has a clear flavour preference, I want to avoid an unused pack. That’s why around 15% of consumers prioritise the variant. |
Common mistakes
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Confusing sprinkles with chocolate gifts
Chocolate sprinkles are sold as a bread topping, so a pack of sprinkles serves a different purpose from a box of chocolates or a chocolate gift.
Before buying, check which one you’re looking for: a lunch topping or a gift box.
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Assuming ‘dark’ or ‘vegan’ means allergen-free
PLUS’s dark chocolate sprinkles are labelled vegan, but according to PLUS product information, they may contain milk and lactose.
Check the latest label every time you buy, including warnings about the possible presence of allergens.
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Choosing sprinkles as an everyday topping by default
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre classifies chocolate bread toppings as outside the Dutch Wheel of Five. For milk chocolate sprinkles, it lists, among other things, 10.5 g of sugars and 1.4 g of saturated fat per 15 g.
Consider how much goes on a slice of bread, and vary your everyday lunch with toppings that suit your chosen lunch routine.
Brands compared
De Ruijter
De Ruijter offers milk, dark and mixed sprinkles, among other options; the pack sizes mentioned vary.
- For the milk variant reviewed, Jumbo states that it contains at least 20% cocoa solids.
- That milk variant lists milk, lactose and soya. Check the label on the exact pack you’re buying.
Albert Heijn huismerk
The AH range includes own-brand sprinkles in milk, dark and mixed variants.
- The different variants offer a choice when you already know which flavour you want.
- Check the ingredients and allergens for each product individually, rather than relying on the range name.
Jumbo huismerk
Jumbo lists milk, dark and duo sprinkles in 300 g packs.
- According to Jumbo product information, the milk variant reviewed contains at least 24% cocoa solids.
- Milk is listed as an allergen for that milk variant; don’t assume the same applies to other variants.
PLUS huismerk
PLUS lists dark and milk chocolate sprinkles, among other options, in 300 g packs.
- According to PLUS, the dark variant reviewed is labelled vegan and contains at least 32% cocoa solids.
- The same product information states that the dark variant may contain milk and lactose.
Kiekeboe
ALDI lists Kiekeboe chocolate sprinkles in milk or dark chocolate, in a 300 g pack.
- This range gives you a choice between a milk and a dark variant.
- Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack you choose before buying it for a pupil with an allergy.
Related Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Are chocolate sprinkles the same as a box of chocolates to give as a gift?
No. Chocolate sprinkles are a bread topping; for a gift, look for chocolate in a gift box or a box of chocolates.
Are chocolate sprinkles suitable for an everyday secondary school lunch?
Not if you follow the Dutch Wheel of Five for everyday toppings. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre classifies chocolate bread toppings as outside its guidelines; you could consider sprinkles as an occasional sweet addition rather than an everyday topping.
Is a dark or vegan-labelled variant suitable for someone with a milk allergy?
You can’t tell from those labels alone. The PLUS dark sprinkles reviewed are labelled vegan, while PLUS also warns that they may contain milk and lactose. So check the latest label for the variant you choose.
Where can I check allergens when buying sprinkles for school?
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the latest packaging, including any ‘may contain’ warnings. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked foods.
How should I store chocolate sprinkles after opening?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack you buy. The product information reviewed for De Ruijter, Jumbo and PLUS recommends storing the sprinkles in a cool, dry place and closing the pack securely after use.