Who this choice is for

Shoppers looking for a Fairtrade mark

You want to see an explicit Fairtrade statement on the chocolate sprinkles themselves, rather than relying on a general claim about the cocoa.

Anyone shopping for Dutch groceries for the first time

You’re looking for a simple pack of rusks and some suitable chocolate sprinkles, but you also want to understand the labels on both products and how to store them.

Shoppers who need to check allergens

Check the rusks and chocolate sprinkles separately: wheat, egg or sesame in the rusks and milk in the sprinkles may affect your choice.

What should you look for?

First decide what kind of Fairtrade statement you’re looking for. Then read the allergen information on both packs and choose a pack size that suits your storage space.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Fairtrade statement Check whether Fairtrade is stated as a product feature on the chocolate sprinkles, or whether the statement refers specifically to the cocoa. Another cocoa certification is not the same thing. I want to know exactly what is Fairtrade-certified when making my first purchase. Verifiable Fairtrade certification is the top priority for around 46% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Read the ingredients, allergens and ‘may contain’ warnings on both packs; check for wheat and egg in the rusks, among other things. If I need to avoid certain ingredients, both the rusks and the chocolate sprinkles must meet my requirements. Ingredients and allergens are the most important factor for around 27% of consumers.
First shop Choose a pack size you expect to use up, and check how to store the rusks in an airtight container after opening. For my first shop, I don’t want to buy more crisp rusks than I can store properly. A suitable quantity and ease of use come first for around 27% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing Rainforest Alliance with Fairtrade

    A statement that the cocoa is Rainforest Alliance-certified doesn’t confirm that the chocolate sprinkles carry a Fairtrade mark. This distinction matters if Fairtrade is a condition of your purchase.

    Read the exact certification and ingredient information on the pack of chocolate sprinkles you’re buying.

  • Checking allergens only in the chocolate sprinkles

    AH plain rusks list wheat, rye and egg, among other ingredients. So even if the chocolate sprinkles meet your requirements, that doesn’t automatically mean the combination is suitable.

    Check the ‘may contain’ warnings on each product separately too.

  • Assuming all rusks contain iodised salt

    The 2008 agreement on bakers’ salt, published in the Government Gazette, refers to encouraging producers’ organisations to use it. It doesn’t guarantee that every pack of rusks contains iodised bakers’ salt.

    If the type of salt matters to your choice, check the ingredients list.

  • Storing crisp rusks without sealing the pack

    Rusks can lose their crunch if they aren’t kept dry and in an airtight container after opening.

    Choose a quantity that suits how much you use, and seal the pack well after opening, for example in a storage tin.

Brands to consider

Fairtrade Original

A range of chocolate sprinkles to consider if you’re looking for an explicit Fairtrade mark on the product.

  • Albert Heijn lists a Fairtrade mark for Fairtrade Original dark chocolate sprinkles; for its 380 g dark chocolate variant, Jumbo states a minimum of 32% cocoa solids.
  • The dark chocolate variant may contain milk. Check the label on the pack you choose when buying.

Delicata

An option to consider if Fairtrade-certified cocoa meets your requirements.

  • Albert Heijn states that Delicata dark chocolate sprinkles contain Fairtrade-certified cocoa.
  • The statement refers to the cocoa. The dark chocolate variant reviewed contains milk and lactose; check the packaging if this is relevant to your choice.

Jumbo

At Jumbo, it’s important to distinguish between a Fairtrade product and chocolate sprinkles with a different cocoa certification.

  • Jumbo lists Fairtrade Original dark chocolate sprinkles, 380 g, in its range of sweet sandwich toppings and gives a Fairtrade statement.
  • The Jumbo own-brand dark chocolate sprinkles reviewed state that they contain Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa; this doesn’t confirm a Fairtrade mark for that variant.

ALDI / Kiekeboe

The Kiekeboe variant is particularly relevant if you want to distinguish between different certification statements on chocolate sprinkles.

  • ALDI describes Kiekeboe dark chocolate sprinkles as a 600 g pack containing Rainforest Alliance cocoa.
  • ALDI’s general policy on certified cocoa doesn’t confirm that this specific Kiekeboe pack is Fairtrade-certified.

De Ruijter

A familiar name in chocolate sprinkles, but check the specific variant if Fairtrade is a requirement.

  • For the 390 g dark chocolate variant, Joybuy’s product information states that it contains Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa and cocoa butter.
  • That Rainforest Alliance statement doesn’t confirm that the variant is Fairtrade-certified.

Related products at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Do you buy rusks and chocolate sprinkles as one product?

No, you buy the rusks and chocolate sprinkles separately. So check the ingredients and allergens in both products, and assess the Fairtrade statement on the chocolate sprinkles you choose.

What statement should I look for if Fairtrade matters to me?

Look for an explicit Fairtrade statement and check what it refers to. Albert Heijn lists a Fairtrade mark for Fairtrade Original dark chocolate sprinkles, while the statement for Delicata dark chocolate sprinkles specifically refers to Fairtrade-certified cocoa.

Is Rainforest Alliance cocoa the same as Fairtrade?

No, they are different certification statements. A statement that chocolate sprinkles contain Rainforest Alliance cocoa doesn’t, by itself, confirm that the product is Fairtrade-certified.

Do Dutch rusks always contain iodised bakers’ salt?

Don’t assume that they do. The 2008 agreement published in the Government Gazette concerns encouraging producers’ organisations to use iodised bakers’ salt; it doesn’t guarantee that every rusk product contains it. If the type of salt matters to your choice, check the ingredients list on the pack you’re buying.

How should I store rusks and chocolate sprinkles after opening?

Keep rusks dry and in an airtight container, such as a storage tin, to help them stay crisp. Store chocolate sprinkles in a cool, dry place and follow the storage instructions on the packaging.