Who is this choice relevant to?

Stallholder looking for a deeper flavour

You want to choose a topping labelled dark or extra dark, rather than a milk, white or vanilla option. For a more precise menu description, look beyond the front of the pack.

Stallholder stocking up on 300 g packs

You’re comparing dark sprinkles from supermarket brands with other options in the same pack size. Before settling on a regular supplier, check the label of the specific option you’re actually buying.

Stallholder keeping track of allergen information

You need to know which sprinkles are used in each topping. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, businesses must inform customers about allergens present in the food they offer.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide which flavour profile you want to offer. Then compare pack sizes and where you can buy them, but treat allergen checks as a separate step for every option you use.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this most important for?
Deeper flavour Compare the dark or extra-dark description with the ingredients and the stated cocoa percentage on the pack. A product name alone does not prove a difference in flavour intensity. If I’m putting a pronounced dark topping on the menu, I want to know exactly what the sprinkles I’ve chosen say on the pack. Around 40% of consumers prioritise this flavour profile.
Pack size and restocking Check the weight and whether you can get the option you’ve chosen from your usual shop. Jumbo lists Jumbo Chocolade Vlokken Puur in a 300 g pack; ALDI lists Kiekeboe milk or dark in 300 g, so check which option you’re buying. For a stall that regularly restocks the same topping, a suitable pack size and a convenient place to buy it are important. Around 30% of consumers prioritise this practical consideration.
Allergen information Read the label on the pack you use and check the full recipe for the topped doughnut too. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, customers must be informed about allergens present. When I give customers information about the topping, I need to be able to link it to the ingredients actually used. Allergen checks are the top purchasing priority for around 20% of consumers.
Certification or dietary claim Check the claim on the specific pack and read the allergen statement. PLUS also says that its dark Fairtrade sprinkles may contain milk and lactose. If certification or a dietary claim is my first selection criterion, I don’t want it to replace checking the label. Around 10% of consumers prioritise this criterion.

Common mistakes

  • Treating dark and extra dark as a measurable flavour ranking

    Jumbo states that De Ruijter Vlokken Puur contains at least 32% cocoa solids. Albert Heijn lists De Ruijter Royaal as extra dark, but the name alone does not give a comparable percentage or prove a particular difference in flavour.

    Put the packs side by side and compare the cocoa percentage and ingredients before making a precise claim about intensity.

  • Assuming dark or vegan means milk-free

    PLUS calls its Chocoladevlokken puur Fairtrade vegan, but also says that the product may contain milk and lactose. The word ‘dark’ is not an allergen statement either.

    For customer information, use the current label for the sprinkles you’ve chosen and the recipe for the complete product you’re selling.

  • Choosing a dark-and-vanilla mix for an exclusively dark topping

    Jumbo lists Venz Rimboe krokovlokken as a dark-and-vanilla mix. This means you’re not offering exclusively dark chocolate sprinkles.

    Check the full product name if your menu describes a dark chocolate topping without a vanilla mix.

Brands worth comparing

De Ruijter

This brand lets you compare regular dark sprinkles with Royaal sprinkles explicitly labelled extra dark.

  • Jumbo states that De Ruijter Vlokken Puur 300 g contains at least 32% cocoa solids.
  • Albert Heijn lists Royaal chocoladevlokken extra puur in a 240 g pack. Check the pack for that option’s ingredients and cocoa content before comparing.

Albert Heijn

AH Pure chocolade vlokken is an own-brand option to consider alongside other dark varieties.

  • Albert Heijn lists AH Pure chocolade vlokken as a separate product.
  • Albert Heijn notes that ingredients, nutritional values and allergy information may change. So check the label on the pack you’re using.

Jumbo

Jumbo Chocolade Vlokken Puur is an own-brand option in a 300 g pack.

  • The stated pack size makes it possible to compare with other 300 g packs.
  • Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack you’ve chosen before using this option at your stall.

PLUS

PLUS Chocoladevlokken puur Fairtrade 300 g is worth considering if you also want to check the claims about cocoa and dietary features.

  • For this option, PLUS states at least 32% cocoa solids, Fairtrade Cacao and vegan.
  • The same product information says that the sprinkles may contain milk and lactose. Don’t treat the vegan claim as an allergen statement.

Kiekeboe

ALDI lists Kiekeboe chocoladevlokken melk of puur in a 300 g pack.

  • The combined product listing mentions Rainforest Alliance certification.
  • As the listing groups the milk and dark options together, check that you’re choosing the dark variety.

Dark sprinkles at Joybuy

These two De Ruijter options are worth considering if you’re looking for dark sprinkles as a topping. Compare their pack sizes and check the label for each option before deciding how to describe the flavour or allergen information on your menu.

De Ruijter Intense Pure Chocolate Sprinkles, 200 g

De Ruijter Intense Pure Chocolate Sprinkles 200 g

A dark sprinkles option to consider as a deeper-coloured topping.

Pack size: 200 g. Check the current pack for milk, soya and lactose information, and include the other ingredients in the doughnut when providing allergen information.

View at Joybuy
De Ruijter Hail Chocolate Pure, 390 g

De Ruijter Hail Chocolate Pure 390 g

A dark sprinkles option to consider if you’re looking for a 390 g pack as a topping.

Check the cocoa percentage on the pack if you want to compare how dark this option is. Before using it, also read the current allergen information, including details about milk and soya.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Are dark chocolate sprinkles automatically vegan or free from milk and lactose?

No, you can’t tell that from the word ‘dark’. PLUS describes its Chocoladevlokken puur Fairtrade as vegan, but also warns that they may contain milk and lactose. So check the label of the option you’re using.

Does a doughnut stall have to provide allergen information for sprinkles used as a topping?

Yes. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, businesses must inform customers about allergens present in food they offer to consumers. Link the information for the sprinkles you use to the full recipe for the topped doughnut.

Can you prove that extra-dark sprinkles taste darker than regular dark sprinkles?

The product names alone don’t tell you that. Jumbo states that De Ruijter Vlokken Puur contains at least 32% cocoa solids. To compare a specific extra-dark option, check the cocoa percentage and ingredients on both packs too.

How should I store chocolate sprinkles for use at my stall?

Follow the storage instructions on the pack you’ve chosen. PLUS says to store its dark chocolate sprinkles in a cool, dry, dark place; don’t apply those instructions to another option without checking its label.