If you have coeliac disease, don’t choose chocolate sprinkles based solely on a Fairtrade label or an ingredients list that doesn’t mention gluten-containing cereals. Check the current packaging of the exact variant for a ‘gluten-free’ label or the Crossed Grain symbol. Albert Heijn labels Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur as Fairtrade, but its product information does not confirm that this variant is gluten-free.
You’re looking for chocolate sprinkles with a Fairtrade label, but first check whether the exact pack is also labelled gluten-free. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that even a small amount of gluten can cause symptoms for someone with coeliac disease.
You check the ingredients, allergen information and gluten-free labelling on the variant you’re buying, rather than relying solely on an online product description. The Dutch Coeliac Society identifies the label and the Crossed Grain symbol as useful aids when choosing gluten-free products.
You compare the taste and pack size only after confirming that the product is gluten-free for the person with coeliac disease. If there’s also a milk allergy to consider, check the allergen information on the pack too.
If you’re looking for Fairtrade chocolate sprinkles because of coeliac disease, first check the gluten-free labelling on the pack. Then check the Fairtrade symbol and the other product information for that same variant.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free labelling | Look for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol on the current packaging of the exact variant. Don’t assume a product is gluten-free based solely on its ingredients list. | If I have coeliac disease, I want to be able to confirm that the chocolate sprinkles I’m buying are labelled gluten-free. This is the priority for around 50% of consumers. |
| Fairtrade symbol | Check that the Fairtrade label applies to the specific chocolate sprinkles on the pack, not just to the brand. | If I want to choose Fairtrade, I look for a label that applies to the exact variant I’m buying. This product-specific check is the priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Packaging and other allergens | Check the pack size and the allergen information if you have another food allergy as well as coeliac disease. | For everyday bread toppings, I want a suitable pack size; if I have another allergy, I also read the relevant warnings. This practical consideration matters most to around 20% of consumers. |
The ingredients list for Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur doesn’t mention any gluten-containing cereals. On its own, this doesn’t confirm that the chocolate sprinkles are gluten-free. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, even a small amount of gluten can cause symptoms for someone with coeliac disease.
So check the current packaging for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol, even if you’ve already read the ingredients list before.
A Fairtrade label doesn’t tell you whether a product contains gluten or other allergens. So you need to make two separate checks before buying.
Check both the gluten-free labelling and the Fairtrade label on the pack of the same variant.
Chocolate sprinkles can also come into contact with ordinary bread crumbs when you’re preparing breakfast. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that even a stray crumb can be a potential problem for someone with coeliac disease.
Use clean or separate spreading utensils and avoid contact with crumbs from bread containing gluten.
Albert Heijn labels Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur as Fairtrade. The dark chocolate variant reviewed comes in a 380 g pack.
Not based solely on the Fairtrade label and the online ingredients list. Before choosing this product if you have coeliac disease, check the current packaging of the exact variant for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol.
No. Fairtrade relates to the standards behind the label, while ‘gluten-free’ provides separate information about gluten. Check both labels on the same pack.
‘Gluten-free’ is a label for the product it appears on. European Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014 sets out requirements for consumer information about the absence or reduced presence of gluten in food. So check whether the label appears on the current packaging of your variant.
Yes, if you’re also buying for someone with a milk allergy. Albert Heijn and Jumbo state ‘May contain milk’ for Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur. This warning doesn’t tell you whether the product is gluten-free.
