Parents who prepare lunch at home
You make the sandwiches before they go into the school bag. In that case, packaging you can store at home and check the label on matters more than a jar for serving at school.
Who is this choice relevant to?
School teams serving chocolate sprinkles at the table
If several children are using the sprinkles, easy-to-manage serving, clean utensils and accessible allergen information all matter. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights the importance of food safety and allergen information when a school provides food.
Shoppers who want individual portions
You want to be able to hand out sprinkles to each child in advance, without everyone scooping from the same pack. If the range includes different varieties, check the label on the portion you choose.
What should you consider when choosing?
First decide whether the sprinkles will go on sandwiches at home or be handed out at school. That will help you choose between a pack, individual portions or a separate serving jar.
A pack for home
Best for: sandwiches made at home, with no shared serving at school.
Consider: a pack for home use doesn’t determine how children can scoop from one pack hygienically at school.
Individual portions
Best for: portioning in advance for each child or serving with less shared use.
Consider: individual portions don’t remove the need to check ingredients and allergens, especially when offering a mix of varieties.
A separate glass jar
Best for: storage or supervised serving in a dedicated spot, rather than carrying in a lunch bag.
Consider: glass can break. Check that the jar is suitable for food contact and agree how to serve hygienically.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Shared serving | Decide whether children will help themselves to the sprinkles and who will manage clean serving utensils. | If children are using sprinkles at the same table, I don’t want everyone scooping from the same jar with their own cutlery. For around 40% of consumers, manageable shared serving would be the main concern. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the label for the exact variety, including when buying a mix or a brand you’ve bought before. | When I’m handing out sprinkles to different children, it needs to be clear which ingredients are in the chosen variety. Clear labelling and confidence about allergens would be the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Size and transport | Compare the number of portions with the planned lunch occasions; ideally, keep glass in a dedicated spot. | For several lunches, I want a suitable number of portions without having to send a breakable jar in every day. For around 30% of consumers, size and transport would be the main concern. |
Common mistakes
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Confusing a serving jar with the packaging for chocolate sprinkles
The current chocolate sprinkle listings from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and Lidl covered in this article describe packs and individual portions. A glass jar should be considered separately as a storage or serving item.
Choose the sprinkles first and check the label. If you want to serve them at the table, choose a separate jar and check that it is suitable for food contact, closes securely and is easy to clean.
A separate jar also needs a suitable lid, cleaning and a safe, dedicated place.
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Assuming every variety contains the same allergens
According to Jumbo, Venz Puur Chocolade Hagelslag contains milk and soya and may contain lactose. The listed Venz Kwinkslag also contains wheat and cereals containing gluten.
Check the ingredients and allergen warnings on the exact pack every time you buy, rather than relying on the brand name.
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Looking only at the total quantity
Jumbo lists thirty portions for its 600 g Chocolade Hagelslag Melk. Albert Heijn lists eight portions for De Ruijter Kleintjes. So the total quantity doesn’t tell you how the sprinkles are portioned.
Compare the number of portions and decide whether you’ll make sandwiches at home or hand out a portion to each child.
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Putting out a shared jar without agreeing how to serve from it
When a school provides food, it’s important to follow food-safety practices and provide allergen information, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. A jar on its own takes care of neither.
Agree who will serve, use clean utensils and keep the allergen information for the sprinkles to hand.
Brands to consider
De Ruijter
Examples from this brand include a pack of dark chocolate sprinkles and Kleintjes with individual portions.
- Albert Heijn lists the dark chocolate sprinkles in a 390 g pack, with nineteen 20 g portions.
- Kleintjes contains different varieties; check the ingredients and allergens for each one you choose.
Venz
The listed Venz dark chocolate sprinkles and Kwinkslag mix differ in their ingredients and allergens.
- Jumbo lists both Venz Puur Chocolade Hagelslag and Venz Kwinkslag in 400 g packs.
- According to Jumbo, Kwinkslag contains milk, soya, wheat and cereals containing gluten. Always check the label on the exact variety.
Jumbo
Jumbo Chocolade Hagelslag Melk is an example of a larger pack of sprinkles for home use.
- Jumbo lists thirty portions for the 600 g pack.
- A large pack doesn’t determine how you’ll manage shared use and hygienic serving at school.
Mister CHOC
Lidl lists Mister CHOC Hagelslag puur as a 600 g pack available to buy in store.
- The listed pack is an alternative if you want chocolate sprinkles for sandwiches at home.
- Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack of the variety you choose; Lidl refers customers to the label for ingredient information.
Glass jars for a dedicated spot
These jars are options for separate storage or supervised serving in a dedicated spot. They don’t contain chocolate sprinkles and don’t replace checking the sprinkles’ label or agreeing how to use them hygienically.
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PURECOOK Clear Round Glass Storage Jars, 2 × 700 ml
For separate storage or supervised serving in a dedicated spot.
Set of two 700 ml glass jars, each with a silicone clasp closure. Check the cleaning instructions before buying: the available information about dishwasher use is contradictory.
When using around children, bear the risk of breakage in mind and use clean serving utensils.
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5five glass storage jar with stainless steel lid, 1.7 l
For anyone looking for a jar with a larger stated capacity to use in a dedicated spot.
1.7 l glass jar with a stainless steel lid. Before using it for chocolate sprinkles, check that it is suitable for food contact and read the cleaning instructions for the lid.
Don’t assume a glass jar is suitable for carrying in a school bag.
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YumiPLUS Inspired Airtight Glass Jars, set of 3
For anyone looking to use separate jars in a dedicated storage or serving spot.
Set of three glass jars described as airtight in the product name. Check the capacity of each jar and the cleaning instructions before using them for shared serving.
Bear the risk of breakage in mind when using around children.
Frequently asked questions
Are chocolate sprinkles usually sold in a glass jar?
For the supermarket products discussed here, expect a pack or individual portions rather than a glass jar. If you want to store sprinkles in glass or serve them at the table, check that a separate jar is suitable for food contact, closes securely and is easy to clean.
What should a school consider when serving chocolate sprinkles?
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a school that provides food must follow food-safety practices and provide allergen information. Keep the label for the variety being used to hand and agree how to use clean serving utensils.
How should you store chocolate sprinkles after opening?
Follow the storage instructions and use-by or best-before information on the exact pack. The De Ruijter, Venz and Jumbo varieties discussed here are listed as needing to be stored in a cool, dry place. If you transfer the sprinkles to another container, use a clean, dry jar that closes securely.
When are individual portions useful?
Individual portions are useful if you want to hand out sprinkles to each child in advance or reduce the need to scoop from one shared pack. Albert Heijn lists eight portions for De Ruijter Kleintjes; if you choose a mix, check which ingredients and allergens apply to the variety you’ve picked.