Choose a box of chocolates if you want to take a thank-you gift, and chocolate sprinkles if you want to top rusks. For handing out treats at a busy street festival, individually wrapped chocolates or single portions of sprinkles are an alternative to sharing an open pack. Check the latest allergen information for every product you choose, keep chocolate away from heat and, if you’re selling food, remember to follow the rules on hygiene and allergen information.
If you want to give someone something they can enjoy straight away, look for a box of chocolates and check whether the pieces are individually wrapped. A box of chocolates is no substitute for sprinkles when it’s time to top the rusks.
If you’re topping several rusks, the pack size and stated serving size can help you plan. Also think about how you’ll keep the topping clean and dry at the venue.
Check the allergen information for the exact products before offering them. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that businesses selling food at events must work safely and hygienically, and tell customers about any allergens present.
First, decide whether you’re looking for a gift or something to put on rusks. Then choose packaging that suits the way you’ll hand it out, and check the information for anyone who’ll be eating it.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gifting and variety | Check the selection in the box and whether the pieces are individually wrapped. A box of chocolates isn’t a topping for rusks. | If I want to thank someone, I look for something I can give them straight away and let them choose from. Around 40% of consumers say this is their top priority when choosing a gift. |
| Handing out | Compare the number of portions and decide whether you’ll need to serve from one pack or can hand out individual portions. | When lots of people are being served, I want to avoid visitors helping themselves from the same open pack. For around 30% of consumers, practical serving is the main priority. |
| Allergen information | Read the latest label, including any warnings about possible traces, and make sure customers can get allergen information when selling unpackaged food. | When different visitors will be eating, I want to know which allergens are listed for the product before handing it out. This is the main concern for around 30% of consumers. |
A large pack of chocolate sprinkles is suitable for topping several rusks on the spot, but you’ll need to bring the rusks and find a clean way to serve the sprinkles. Single-portion packs mean people don’t have to handle a shared pack. A box of chocolates is a good choice for giving or sharing without rusks; check whether the contents of each box are individually wrapped.
Different chocolates in the same box may contain different allergens. Albert Heijn says that the Merci Gift Box contains milk, nuts and soya, among other ingredients, and may also contain peanuts and egg.
Read the label on the box you choose and keep the allergen information available when handing out the chocolates.
Serving from a shared pack makes it harder to keep things hygienic and portions separate. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that food sold at events must be prepared, stored and served safely and hygienically.
If necessary, choose single-portion packs or use clean, separate serving utensils. If you’re selling food, also check what allergen information you need to give visitors.
The extra-dark chocolate sprinkles from De Ruijter described by Albert Heijn contain milk and soya. A flavour name or cocoa percentage doesn’t tell you which allergens a particular variety contains.
Check the latest ingredients and allergen information on every pack you choose.
If you’re topping rusks with chocolate sprinkles, De Ruijter offers larger packs, small portions and an extra-dark variety to compare.
Venz is worth considering if you want to compare flavours and pack formats of chocolate sprinkles for topping rusks.
A chocolate gift is a different choice from a spread when you’re mainly looking for something to give.
These products cover three different plans for a street festival: topping rusks with chocolate sprinkles, taking chocolate bars to share or giving a chocolate gift. A bar or gift box isn’t a substitute for chocolate sprinkles on rusks.
Image unavailable
A pack of chocolate sprinkles for anyone who wants to top their own rusks. The 400 g pack combines chocolate and vanilla flavours.
If you’re serving from the pack, use clean utensils and check the latest label for allergens beforehand.
Image unavailable
Milk chocolate sprinkles for topping rusks, in a 380 g pack.
If you’re letting visitors help themselves, think in advance about how you’ll serve the sprinkles hygienically. Also read the allergen information on the pack you choose.
Image unavailable
Dark chocolate sprinkles for topping rusks on the spot, in a 390 g pack.
Plan how you’ll serve them and read the latest label: the word ‘dark’ doesn’t tell you anything about allergens on its own.
Image unavailable
Nine matcha chocolate bars for sharing without rusks; this isn’t a pack of chocolate sprinkles.
Check whether the bars are individually wrapped if you want to hand them out separately. Also check the best-before date and the latest allergen information on the label.
Image unavailable
A 288 g chocolate gift for anyone who wants to give something rather than top rusks.
If you want to hand out the contents one piece at a time, check that they’re individually wrapped. Also read the allergen information on the box you choose.
If you’re a business offering food to consumers, you must tell them about any allergens present. For unpackaged products, make sure visitors can get this information before buying. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that food businesses are required to provide allergen information.
According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, food sold at an event must be prepared, stored and served safely and hygienically. Plan in advance how you’ll keep products clean, hand them out and tell visitors about allergens.
Seal opened packs of chocolate sprinkles properly and store them somewhere dry, as advised by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Also follow the instructions on the packaging: the Merci Gift Box described by Albert Heijn needs to be kept away from heat. Check the best-before dates on the products you’re taking with you, too.
No, you can’t assume this of every rusk: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the label on the bread product you choose or ask the baker which salt they use. This is separate from choosing between chocolate sprinkles and a box of chocolates.
