If you want to use genuine crushed aniseed sprinkles as a festival topping, choose a serving method for dry sprinkles rather than assuming a squeezy bottle will work. Test how you’ll dispense them and how much you’ll use per portion in advance. If squeezing is essential, choose a separate liquid topping instead; it isn’t a like-for-like alternative to crushed aniseed sprinkles.
You want to sprinkle crushed aniseed sprinkles over portions quickly, without making a mess. The product information describes them as dry aniseed sprinkles for toppings and decoration, so test your chosen sprinkling or dispensing method during a trial service.
You need to be able to tell visitors which allergens are present before they buy. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, this applies when you serve the topping or dish unpackaged.
You want to test the flavour, portion size and serving method before deciding how much festival stock to order. Albert Heijn and Jumbo list De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes in a 270 g pack.
First, test how the dry sprinkles come out of your chosen dispenser. Then work out your portions and arrange allergen information if you’re selling unpackaged food.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Dispensing | Test with the actual topping to see whether the opening dispenses even portions and how much ends up beside the dish. | During a busy service, I want to dispense the dry topping quickly without having to keep adjusting things; roughly 38% of consumers prioritise ease of dispensing. |
| Allergen information | Check the current packaging and have the allergen information available before selling unpackaged portions. | When serving unpackaged portions, I want to give visitors accurate information about the allergens present before they buy. This is the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Trial pack | Check the current packaging and test how much you use per portion before working out how much you’ll need. | For a trial, I want to find out how much topping each portion needs so I can plan the service; around 31% of consumers prioritise this preparation. |
Crushed aniseed sprinkles are described as a dry topping. A squeezy bottle that works for a liquid topping won’t necessarily dispense this product properly.
Before the event, try a dispenser designed for dry toppings with the product batch you’ll be using. Check the flow, portion sizes and how easy it is to clean.
Ingredients and allergen information can change. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, customers buying unpackaged food must be told about any allergens present before they buy.
Check the current packaging. If you choose to provide the information verbally, make sure you meet the additional requirements too, including having the information available in writing or electronically for staff and inspectors.
A 270 g pack won’t tell you how many portions you’ll get using your serving method.
During a trial, measure how much you use per portion and how often you need to refill. Use this to work out how many packs you’ll need.
Albert Heijn and Jumbo list De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes in a 270 g pack.
Don’t assume a squeezy bottle will work without testing it first: crushed aniseed sprinkles are dry, not a liquid topping. If you still want to use a bottle, test the flow, portion sizes and cleaning with the product itself. A dispenser designed for dry toppings is another option.
If you serve the topping or dish unpackaged, customers must be told about any allergens present before they buy, according to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority. There are additional requirements for giving this information verbally, including making it available in writing or electronically for staff and inspectors.
Check the current packaging: the product information available lists wheat and cereals containing gluten. Albert Heijn notes that product information can change, so don’t rely solely on an older online listing for your allergen information.
Albert Heijn and Jumbo both list De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes in a 270 g pack. Check the current packaging and availability before buying, then measure how much you use per portion with your serving method during the trial.
