Travellers who prioritise Fairtrade
You want to check for the Fairtrade mark on the exact sprinkles you’ve chosen, rather than relying on a general sustainability claim.
Who should consider these points?
Travellers facing a warm car journey
You’re taking chocolate sprinkles with you and want to prevent heat or significant temperature changes from affecting their texture and appearance.
Shoppers checking allergens
You need to know before setting off whether a variety contains milk or may contain traces of milk. The word ‘dark’ on its own doesn’t tell you.
What should you look for when choosing?
If Fairtrade is your main requirement, start by checking the mark. Then consider whether the allergen information, packaging and storage conditions suit your journey.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade mark | Check the Fairtrade symbol and exact variety on the pack; don’t confuse it with Rainforest Alliance. | I want to know whether the particular sprinkles I’m taking with me carry the Fairtrade mark. Around 36% of consumers would make this their main purchasing criterion. |
| Storage during the journey | Read the storage instructions and choose packaging that can be sealed securely after opening. | If I’m taking the pack in the car, I want to prevent heat or temperature changes from affecting the sprinkles. For around 29% of consumers, keeping the product in good condition on the go would come first. |
| Milk and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack, even for dark chocolate sprinkles. | I need to know whether milk as an ingredient or possible traces of milk are a concern for me. For around 21% of consumers, checking allergens would be the first consideration. |
| Packaging and availability | Compare the pack sizes and check that your chosen shop stocks the variety you want. | I want to buy the right amount before setting off, without making an extra stop. Around 14% of consumers would make packaging and availability their main criterion. |
Common mistakes
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Confusing Rainforest Alliance with Fairtrade
A Rainforest Alliance label on cocoa doesn’t confirm that the sprinkles carry the Fairtrade mark. This distinction matters if Fairtrade is a requirement for your purchase.
Check which certification mark appears on the pack of your chosen variety. Fairtrade International describes the FAIRTRADE mark as being linked to its international standards.
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Assuming ‘dark’ means dairy-free
Fairtrade Original states that its Dark Chocolate Sprinkles may contain milk. The product information for Jumbo Dark Chocolate Sprinkles also mentions possible traces of milk.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you’re buying. If you have an allergy, don’t judge whether a product is suitable based on its flavour name.
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Leaving chocolate sprinkles in a hot car
Fairtrade Original says that significant temperature changes can cause a white bloom to appear on chocolate sprinkles. Heat can also affect their texture.
Keep the pack somewhere cool and dry, out of direct sunlight, and seal it securely after use.
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Choosing based on pack size alone
A suitable pack size tells you nothing about the certification or allergens of that particular variety.
Check the label too, and make sure your chosen shop stocks the pack you want before setting off.
Brands to consider
Fairtrade Original
Albert Heijn lists Fairtrade Original Dark Chocolate Sprinkles 380 g as Fairtrade. Fairtrade Original states that this variety contains at least 32% cocoa solids.
- A specific dark variety whose Fairtrade label you can check.
- Fairtrade Original says this variety may contain milk; check the current packaging too.
De Ruijter
ALDI Netherlands describes a De Ruijter offer of 390 g milk or dark chocolate sprinkles carrying the Rainforest Alliance mark.
- Provides a specific alternative certification to assess on the pack.
- That label does not confirm Fairtrade certification for De Ruijter varieties.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists both Fairtrade Original Dark Chocolate Sprinkles and its own 380 g dark chocolate sprinkles. The cocoa in its own-brand variety is labelled Rainforest Alliance Certified.
- The two product listings show the difference between the certifications.
- According to the product information, the own-brand dark variety may contain milk; Rainforest Alliance does not confirm Fairtrade certification.
Venz
Jumbo’s range includes Venz Milk Chocolate Sprinkles 400 g.
- A milk chocolate variety to include when comparing flavour and pack size.
- Check any certification marks on the specific pack before choosing it on that basis.
Dark chocolate sprinkles for your journey at Joybuy
These options are dark chocolate sprinkles in a range of pack sizes. If you’re specifically looking for Fairtrade, check for the mark on the pack you choose; Rainforest Alliance is not an equivalent Fairtrade label.
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De Ruijter Intense dark chocolate sprinkles 200 g
An option if you’re looking for a 200 g pack of dark chocolate sprinkles for your car journey. Check the certification mark and allergens on the pack before choosing this variety.
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g'woon dark chocolate sprinkles 400 g
An option if a 400 g pack suits your travel supplies. Consider how you’ll keep the sprinkles dry and sealed after opening, and read the allergen information on the pack.
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De Ruijter dark chocolate sprinkles 390 g
An option if you want to take a 390 g pack of dark chocolate sprinkles with you. Check the certification mark, ingredients and allergens for this variety; the word ‘dark’ doesn’t replace checking the label.
Frequently asked questions
How can I recognise Fairtrade chocolate sprinkles?
Check for the Fairtrade mark on the pack of the exact variety. Albert Heijn lists Fairtrade Original Dark Chocolate Sprinkles 380 g as Fairtrade; a brand name or a different certification mark doesn’t, on its own, confirm the status of another product.
Are dark chocolate sprinkles automatically dairy-free?
No. Fairtrade Original says its Dark Chocolate Sprinkles ‘may contain milk’, and Jumbo’s product information mentions the same possibility for its dark chocolate sprinkles. Always read the current ingredients and allergen information on the pack.
How should I store chocolate sprinkles during a warm car journey?
Keep the sprinkles cool and dry, out of direct sunlight. Fairtrade Original says significant temperature changes can cause a white bloom to appear; seal the pack securely after use.
What should I check on the label before setting off?
Check the ingredients, allergens, best-before date and any storage instructions for the pack you’ve chosen. The pack size will also help you decide how much to take; consult the nutritional information if you want to compare varieties by their nutritional value.