Who is this choice relevant to?

Anyone who wants to identify Fairtrade cocoa

You want to know whether the cocoa in your topping is Fairtrade. So check the claim on the chocolate sprinkles you choose, rather than relying on a general statement by a retailer about cocoa.

Anyone who needs a quick breakfast on weekdays

You’re looking for a currant bun that’s easy to take with you, perhaps with a separate chocolate topping. The number of buns, storage instructions and allergens all help determine whether this combination fits your routine.

Anyone weighing up a sweet topping

You want to be able to choose Fairtrade chocolate, but you’ll also want to consider how much chocolate sprinkles you use and the nutritional information if this breakfast is a regular feature.

What should you look for?

Currant bun without chocolate topping

Best for: a breakfast where you want to take the bun with you without a separate topping.

Consider: without chocolate topping, this combination doesn’t include a choice of Fairtrade cocoa.

Currant bun with Fairtrade chocolate sprinkles

Best for: a breakfast where verified Fairtrade cocoa in the chocolate topping is a priority.

Consider: the Fairtrade claim on the topping doesn’t automatically apply to the currant bun.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Fairtrade cocoa Look for an explicit Fairtrade claim or certification mark on the chocolate topping packaging. Check which product and ingredients the information refers to. If I want to choose Fairtrade cocoa, I need to be able to identify that choice on my chocolate sprinkles, regardless of what is said about the retailer. This check is a priority for around 43% of consumers.
Weekday convenience Compare the number of buns and the portion size; read the storage instructions for both the buns and the topping. On a rushed morning, I want to know whether I can keep the buns for the weekdays I need them. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this practical convenience.
Sweet toppings Compare sugars and saturated fat per 100 g, and decide how many chocolate sprinkles you use per serving. If I often have chocolate topping, I want to weigh up how much I use against other topping choices. Around 28% of consumers prioritise this consideration.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming the Fairtrade mark on the chocolate sprinkles applies to the whole currant bun

    The ingredients lists for Albert Heijn and Jumbo currant buns don’t mention cocoa. So a Fairtrade claim on separate chocolate topping doesn’t mean that the flour or dried fruit in the bun is Fairtrade too.

    Check the currant bun packaging and the topping packaging separately. Fairtrade Netherlands explains that, for products with multiple ingredients, the information accompanying the certification mark is also important.

  • Assuming bakers’ salt has to be iodised

    The Bakers’ Salt Agreement, published in the Government Gazette, sets out arrangements for salt containing iodine. According to the Netherlands Bakery Centre, its use is not a legal requirement.

    If you want to know which salt is used in a particular currant bun, read the ingredients list. Ask the manufacturer for more information if the labelling isn’t clear enough.

  • Looking only at the Fairtrade claim

    Jumbo states that Fairtrade Original dark chocolate sprinkles contain 65.8 g of sugars and 9.2 g of saturated fat per 100 g. PLUS states that its dark Fairtrade chocolate sprinkles contain 65.8 g of sugars and 9 g of saturated fat per 100 g. The certification mark doesn’t tell you the nutritional value of your breakfast.

    Read the nutritional information per 100 g, then consider how much topping you actually use. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre places chocolate sprinkles outside the Wheel of Five and lists them as a topping to choose no more than once a day.

  • Forgetting to check the allergens in one of the products

    The product information for AH Rozijnen krentenbollen lists wheat and milk, among other allergens. PLUS states that its dark Fairtrade chocolate sprinkles may contain milk and lactose.

    If you have an allergy, check the current allergen information on both packages. Checking the topping alone isn’t enough.

Brands to consider

Fairtrade Original

Fairtrade Original makes dark chocolate sprinkles that can be used as a separate topping on a currant bun. Jumbo lists a 380 g pack.

  • According to Jumbo, these chocolate sprinkles contain at least 32% cocoa solids and are part of the Fair Trade range.
  • Jumbo also lists 65.8 g of sugars and 9.2 g of saturated fat per 100 g. Compare the nutritional information separately from the Fairtrade claim.

PLUS

PLUS explicitly labels its 400 g pack of dark chocolate sprinkles as containing Fairtrade cocoa.

  • The product listing makes it clear that the Fairtrade claim applies to the cocoa in this topping.
  • PLUS lists Nutri-Score E, 65.8 g of sugars and 9 g of saturated fat per 100 g. The score and the certification mark answer different questions about the product.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn sells both currant buns and chocolate toppings, and publishes its own policy on cocoa in own-brand products.

  • Albert Heijn states that cocoa in its own-brand products is Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade certified. For a specific purchase, check which certification mark appears on the topping you choose.
  • The ingredients information for AH Rozijnen krentenbollen doesn’t mention cocoa. The cocoa policy doesn’t support a Fairtrade claim for those buns.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is my whole breakfast Fairtrade if I put Fairtrade chocolate sprinkles on a currant bun?

No. The Fairtrade claim on the chocolate sprinkles doesn’t automatically apply to the currant bun. Check both packages separately to find out which ingredients or products carry a Fairtrade claim.

Is iodised bakers’ salt required in Dutch currant buns?

No, it isn’t a general legal requirement. The use of iodised bakers’ salt is covered by an agreement published in the Government Gazette; the Netherlands Bakery Centre states that its use is not legally required. Check the ingredients list to find out what’s in a particular currant bun.

What should I look for if I often have chocolate sprinkles with breakfast?

As well as the Fairtrade claim, check how much you use and the sugars and saturated fat listed on the label. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre places chocolate sprinkles outside the Wheel of Five and lists them as a topping to choose no more than once a day.

Which allergens should I check in a currant bun with chocolate sprinkles?

Read the latest allergen information for both the bun and the chocolate sprinkles. The product information for AH Rozijnen krentenbollen lists wheat and milk, among other allergens; PLUS dark Fairtrade chocolate sprinkles may contain milk and lactose. Labelling can vary between products.