If you want to keep the tradition
You want a familiar Dutch baby celebration treat made with rusks and ‘mice’. Chocolate is, at most, an additional option for you.
Who is this choice for?
If Fairtrade cocoa comes first
You’re looking for a chocolate topping for rusks and want to check the packaging to see what the Fairtrade claim applies to. You don’t mind that chocolate sprinkles taste different from ‘mice’.
If you’re mindful of dietary requirements
You’re comparing dark chocolate sprinkles with milk chocolate products, but you also want to know whether the packaging warns that the product may contain milk.
What should you consider when choosing?
First decide whether you want to stick with rusks topped with ‘mice’ or serve chocolate as a baby celebration treat. Then check the certification wording and ingredients of your chosen product.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| A familiar treat | Choose rusks and ‘mice’ if you want to serve the traditional combination. You could offer chocolate separately. | I want guests to recognise the baby celebration treat straight away and enjoy the traditional ‘mice’ flavour; around 46% of consumers say they prioritise this tradition. |
| Fairtrade chocolate | Read the Fairtrade logo and accompanying text on the packaging. Milieu Centraal explains that a logo on a white background may apply to one certified ingredient; for a logo with an arrow, Fairtrade Nederland directs shoppers to the back of the packaging. | If I serve chocolate on rusks, I want to be able to see what the Fairtrade claim applies to. For around 36% of consumers, checking this is the top priority. |
| Flavour and milk information | Compare the flavour of the products you’re considering and read the latest allergen information. Fairtrade Original states that its dark chocolate sprinkles may contain milk. | I want to offer guests a suitable chocolate option without overlooking a warning that it may contain milk; around 18% of consumers prioritise dietary requirements. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking chocolate sprinkles for ‘mice’
‘Mice’ and chocolate sprinkles are different toppings. Chocolate sprinkles on rusks give you a chocolate option, not the traditional Dutch treat of rusks with ‘mice’.
If you want to keep the baby celebration treat familiar, serve ‘mice’ and offer chocolate separately if you like.
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Assuming a Fairtrade logo always applies to the whole product
According to Milieu Centraal, a Fairtrade logo on a white background may apply to one certified ingredient. For a logo with an arrow, Fairtrade Nederland directs shoppers to the information on the back of the packaging.
Check which ingredients and sourcing practices the product’s claim covers, especially if both cocoa and sugar matter to your choice.
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Assuming dark chocolate sprinkles are milk-free
Fairtrade Original warns that its dark chocolate sprinkles may contain milk. The word ‘dark’ doesn’t override that warning.
Check the allergen information on the packaging of the product you buy. If a guest has a milk allergy, don’t choose a product with a warning that makes it unsuitable for them.
Brands to consider
Fairtrade Original
An option if you want to serve chocolate sprinkles on rusks. Fairtrade Original describes its 380 g pack of dark chocolate sprinkles; Jumbo lists the same product in its Fair trade range.
- According to Fairtrade Original’s product information, the sprinkles contain at least 32% cocoa solids.
- The product information says ‘May contain milk’. The sprinkles also lack the traditional aniseed flavour of ‘mice’.
Verkade
A biscuit to serve alongside the baby celebration treat: Albert Heijn describes Verkade Lange Nekken milk chocolate as biscuit sticks covered in Fairtrade milk chocolate.
- This product is a Fairtrade chocolate option if you’re specifically looking for a biscuit.
- It’s not a topping and doesn’t replace rusks with ‘mice’. The retailer’s description identifies it as milk chocolate.
De Ruijter
A good choice for the traditional treat: Albert Heijn describes De Ruijter ‘mice’ as a topping for rusks served to celebrate a birth.
- ‘Mice’ are part of the familiar combination of rusks topped with ‘mice’.
- If you want a Fairtrade option, check the label on the specific product; its traditional use on rusks doesn’t tell you whether it’s Fairtrade.
Related products on Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Are chocolate sprinkles the same as ‘mice’?
No. Rusks topped with ‘mice’ are the traditional Dutch baby celebration treat. Chocolate sprinkles on rusks are an alternative or an extra option with a different flavour.
How do I check the Fairtrade claim on chocolate?
Read both the logo and the information on the packaging. Milieu Centraal says that a logo on a white background may indicate one Fairtrade-certified ingredient. For a logo with an arrow, Fairtrade Nederland recommends checking the back for information about the ingredients and sourcing practices.
Can Fairtrade Original dark chocolate sprinkles contain milk?
Yes. Fairtrade Original states that its dark chocolate sprinkles may contain milk. Check the latest packaging if you need to take a milk allergy into account.
Is the online ingredients information enough to choose a treat?
Use online product information to help you make an initial choice, but check the packaging of the product you’ve bought before serving it. Albert Heijn notes that ingredients and allergen information can change.