Shoppers buying breakfast products for home
You’re looking for rusks and chocolate sprinkles to enjoy on several occasions. The amount of topping, the flavour and your choice of rusk matter more to you than gift packaging.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Shoppers buying a small chocolate gift
You’d like to pick up something with your shopping that you can give or share straight away. In that case, the presentation, flavours and whether the chocolates are individually wrapped may all matter.
Shoppers who need to check ingredients
Before buying, you want to know which ingredients and allergens are in the rusks, chocolate sprinkles or box of chocolates you’ve chosen. It’s especially important to consider the recipient when buying a gift.
What should you consider when choosing?
First, decide whether you’re buying something for home or as a gift. Then compare the packaging and check the ingredients of the specific product.
Rusks with chocolate sprinkles
Best for: breakfast or snacks at home on several occasions, when you want to choose the rusks and how much chocolate topping to add.
Bear in mind: rusks and chocolate sprinkles are separate products, and the ingredients in both determine what you end up eating.
Box of chocolates
Best for: a thank-you or sharing occasion when you want to bring a ready-to-give pack.
Bear in mind: different types of chocolate in one box may contain different ingredients and allergens that are relevant to you.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| When you’ll enjoy it | Check whether the pack is suitable for several occasions at home, and decide whether you need to buy the rusks and topping separately. | If I want to enjoy rusks with chocolate sprinkles at home more often, I look for products that let me choose my own portions. For around 42% of consumers, repeated use at home is the main priority. |
| Gifting and sharing | Check the flavours, the number of pieces and whether the chocolates are individually wrapped, if that matters for sharing. | For a thank-you, I want to bring something I can give straight away and possibly share. That’s the main reason for around 33% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and nutritional information | Read the allergen information for the exact variant. If needed, compare the nutritional values for chocolate sprinkles per 100 g and per portion. | If I need to consider ingredients for myself or the recipient, I want to be able to check the pack before choosing. For around 25% of consumers, that check is the deciding factor. |
Common pitfalls
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Choosing an assortment box without checking the allergens
The Merci Gift Box described by Albert Heijn contains milk, hazelnut, almond and soya, among other ingredients; the box also carries a warning that it may contain traces of peanuts and egg. So, a mix of flavours doesn’t mean that everyone can eat what’s inside.
Check the ingredients and allergens on the exact box, especially if you’re giving it to someone else.
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Looking only at the weight of the chocolate sprinkles
The amount you use each time matters too. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists an average of 9.4 g of sugars and 1.4 g of saturated fat per 15 g portion of chocolate sprinkles; the values for your chosen product may differ.
Check the nutritional information on the pack and use the same portion size when comparing products.
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Assuming the name of the rusks tells you whether they contain iodine
The word “rusk” doesn’t tell you which salt was used in a specific product. Brood.net Professionals describes the use of iodine-enriched baker’s salt by Dutch bakeries as an agreement under an industry covenant.
If iodine matters to your choice, check the ingredients list of the rusks you want to buy.
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Relying on an old product description instead of the packaging
Flavours, ingredients and pack contents can vary between variants. If you’re buying chocolate as a gift, the best-before date on the box you actually take with you matters too.
Before buying, check the current packaging for the contents, allergens, best-before date and storage instructions.
Brands to consider
De Ruijter
Worth considering if you’re looking for chocolate sprinkles for home or want to compare smaller portion packs.
- Albert Heijn lists De Ruijter Dark Chocolate Sprinkles in a 390 g pack and De Ruijter Kleintjes, with eight portions of chocolate sprinkles and chocolate flakes.
- Check the ingredients and allergens for the variant you choose. The dark chocolate sprinkles described contain milk and soya.
Venz
Worth considering if you want to compare different types of chocolate sprinkles and flakes in small packs.
- Albert Heijn describes Venz Mini’s as having eight varieties to put on bread.
- Check the current contents and ingredients of the pack you choose, especially if allergens are a concern.
Bolletje
Worth considering if you want to choose your rusks as carefully as your chocolate sprinkles.
- Albert Heijn lists Bolletje High-Fibre Farmer’s Wholemeal Rusks as 100% wholemeal, with 10 g of fibre per 100 g.
- The specific rusks contain gluten-containing cereals and sesame. Check the packaging if those allergens are relevant to you.
Merci
Worth considering if you’re looking for a box of chocolates to give as a gift or share with others.
- The Merci Gift Box described by Albert Heijn contains 32 individually wrapped chocolates in eight varieties.
- Among other ingredients, the box contains milk, hazelnut, almond and soya, and may contain traces of peanuts and egg. Check the exact packaging if you’re giving it as a gift.
Albert Heijn
A useful example of a supermarket range where you can compare chocolate gifts, rusks and chocolate sprinkles.
- The chocolate gifts category features different types of packaging, including assorted boxes.
- Compare the ingredients, contents and best-before date on the packaging of the product you actually choose.
Products for gifting or enjoying at home
These products suit two different plans: bringing a pack of chocolates as a thoughtful gift, or choosing rusks and chocolate sprinkles separately for home. For a gift, pay particular attention to the packaging and allergens. For rusks with chocolate sprinkles, you’ll need to buy both the base and the topping.
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Merci Petits Chocolate Collection, 125 g
A chocolate collection to take along as a little treat.
If you’re planning to share the chocolates, check the flavours, number of pieces and allergens on the packaging.
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Celebrations Chocolate Assorted, 385 g
A 385 g chocolate assortment for a gift or sharing occasion.
If you want to hand out the chocolates individually, check how they’re wrapped on the packaging. Also read the allergen information for the recipients.
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Tony's Chocolonely Chocolate Gift Pack, 288 g
A 288 g gift pack of chocolates for someone you’d like to treat.
Before giving it as a gift, check the flavours, allergens and best-before date on the pack you’ve chosen.
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De Ruijter Dark Chocolate Sprinkles, 390 g
Dark chocolate sprinkles for making your own rusks with chocolate topping.
The pack contains 390 g of chocolate sprinkles; choose your rusks separately. Check the nutritional information and allergens on the packaging you choose.
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Bolletje Dark Whole Wheat Rusks, 10 pieces
Wholemeal rusks to use as the base for your own snack or meal.
The pack contains 10 rusks; choose the chocolate sprinkles separately. Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack you choose and, if it matters to you, which salt was used.
Frequently asked questions
When should I choose a box of chocolates instead of rusks with chocolate sprinkles?
Choose a box of chocolates if you want to pick up a ready-to-give treat while shopping or share some chocolates. Rusks with chocolate sprinkles are better for enjoying at home on several occasions, when you can choose the base and the amount of topping yourself.
Should I check the allergens in a chocolate gift?
Yes. Check the allergens on the exact pack before giving it to someone. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes the allergen labelling requirements for pre-packed foods; ingredients can vary between products and variants.
How do I compare the sugar content of chocolate sprinkles?
Compare the sugars per 100 g on the label and also consider the portion you actually use. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists an average of 9.4 g of sugars per 15 g portion of chocolate sprinkles; use the nutritional information for your chosen variant when comparing products.
How should I store chocolate sprinkles and a box of chocolates?
Follow the storage instructions on each pack. The De Ruijter chocolate sprinkles described by Albert Heijn should be stored in a cool, dry place, while the Merci Gift Box described should be protected from heat. Check the best-before date on your products too.