Who is this choice relevant to?

Organisers putting the buffet together themselves

If you lay out rusks and chocolate sprinkles separately, you can manage the choice of toppings and replenish supplies during the break yourself.

Caterers responsible for allergen information

When rusks with chocolate sprinkles are served unpackaged, guests must be able to get information about the allergens present. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says this information must be provided for unpackaged food.

Buyers planning portions

The number of rusks in each pack and the weight of the chocolate sprinkles can help you work out how much you need for the number of guests and serving times.

What should you consider when choosing?

Rusks and chocolate sprinkles bought separately

Best when: guests can choose their own toppings and you want to decide how much to serve per portion.

Consider: you’ll need to display the items separately and replenish them during the buffet.

Ready-made rusks with chocolate sprinkles

Best when: a supplier lists a product that’s available and lets you check its portion size and ingredients.

Consider: Jumbo says its Beschuit met Hagelslag Melk is no longer available in its online range, so don’t plan your buffet around this product.

Once you’ve decided how to serve the food, work out how to make allergen information available at the buffet and how many individual packs you’ll need.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Buffet set-up Check how the food will be served and whether the rusks and chocolate sprinkles can be replenished separately. If I want to top up portions during the break, I need a practical way to serve them. Around 42% of consumers put practicality first.
Allergen information Read the labels on both products and make information about allergens present available when serving food unpackaged. I want to give guests clear information about allergens when they choose their toppings. This is the most important consideration for around 33% of consumers.
Quantity Compare rusks by the number of pieces per pack and chocolate sprinkles by pack weight; choose quantities to suit the portions you’re planning. If I know how many guests to expect, I want to plan enough portions without simply assuming one pack size will be right. Quantity comes first for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Treating ‘medium sliced’ as a feature of rusks

    Rusks aren’t the same as sliced bread. The rusks listed can be compared by factors such as pack size and number of pieces, not by a specified slice thickness.

    Before placing your order, check whether the brief means rusks with chocolate sprinkles or medium-sliced bread with a topping.

  • Planning to use a ready-made product without checking current availability

    Jumbo says its Beschuit met Hagelslag Melk is no longer available in its online range, so don’t base your planned service on this product.

    Check the current product listing with your chosen supplier, or plan to serve the rusks and chocolate sprinkles separately.

  • Assuming all chocolate sprinkle varieties contain the same allergens

    Jumbo lists milk and soya for De Ruijter Hagelslag Royaal; Joybuy lists wheat and gluten for De Ruijter vruchtenhagel. The rusks you choose will also have their own ingredients list.

    Check the current packaging and record the allergens for each specific combination. Make sure guests can find this information when food is served unpackaged.

  • Assuming all rusks are made with iodised baker’s salt

    According to Voedingscentrum and Brood.net, using iodised baker’s salt is not a legal requirement in the Netherlands.

    Check the label on your chosen rusks before making any claims about the salt used.

Brands to consider

De Ruijter

Chocolate sprinkles and fruit sprinkles in various varieties; choose according to the ingredients listed on the specific pack.

  • Jumbo lists De Ruijter Hagelslag Royaal in a 390 g pack.
  • Jumbo lists milk and soya for Royaal; Joybuy lists wheat and gluten for the fruit sprinkles. The allergens therefore vary by product.

Jumbo

Jumbo’s own-brand chocolate sprinkles are an option if you want to choose the topping separately from the rusks.

  • Jumbo lists products including pure chocolate sprinkles in a 600 g pack.
  • Jumbo says its ready-made Beschuit met Hagelslag Melk is no longer available in its online range.

Albert Heijn

AH Beschuit naturel is a separate base that you can pair with a topping of your choice.

  • Albert Heijn lists 13 pieces in a pack of AH Beschuit naturel.
  • According to Albert Heijn, this variety contains egg and cereals containing gluten, and may also contain milk and sesame, among other allergens. Check the packaging of the variety you choose.

Kiekeboe

ALDI’s own brand, for anyone considering pure chocolate sprinkles as a separate topping.

  • ALDI Netherlands lists a 600 g pack of pure chocolate sprinkles.
  • Check availability at the store where you plan to shop.

Mister Choc

A Lidl brand offering pure chocolate sprinkles that you can buy separately from the rusks.

  • Lidl lists a pack size of 600 g.
  • Lidl says this product is only available in store; check the packaging and local availability.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to provide allergen information when serving rusks with chocolate sprinkles unpackaged?

Yes. If you offer unpackaged food to consumers, you must provide information about the allergens present. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says this applies to unpackaged food. Make it clear at the buffet where guests can find information about the combinations on offer.

Are rusks and chocolate sprinkles always free from allergens?

No, don’t assume they are. For AH Beschuit naturel, Albert Heijn lists egg and cereals containing gluten, and notes that it may also contain milk and sesame, among other allergens. Jumbo lists milk and soya for De Ruijter Hagelslag Royaal. Check the packaging of the exact products you plan to serve.

Do rusks in the Netherlands have to be made with iodised baker’s salt?

No. According to Voedingscentrum and Brood.net, using iodised baker’s salt is not a legal requirement in the Netherlands. Check the product packaging to see whether a particular rusk contains it.

How do I work out how many rusks and how much chocolate sprinkles I need for the buffet?

Start with the number of guests and the portions planned per guest. Then work out the number of rusks per pack and the weight of the chocolate sprinkles per pack. For example, Albert Heijn lists 13 pieces in a pack of AH Beschuit naturel. When choosing pack sizes, also consider how many times you’ll be serving the food.