Who is this relevant to?

Christmas market stall with a Fairtrade requirement

You want to be able to identify which specific chocolate sprinkles carry a Fairtrade mark, whether on your purchasing list or at your stall. Check the variant on the pack, not just the brand name.

Baker or caterer selling unpackaged goods

You use chocolate sprinkles in treats that are sold without packaging. According to the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, consumers must be able to get information about allergens present in unpackaged products.

Buyer weighing up taste and packaging

You’re choosing between dark and milk chocolate sprinkles for bread, baking or decoration, comparing factors such as cocoa solids, allergens and pack weight. Don’t treat a Rainforest Alliance cocoa claim as a Fairtrade mark.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether Fairtrade is a firm requirement for your Christmas market. Then check the label for your intended use, especially if you’re adding the sprinkles to products sold unpackaged.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Fairtrade mark Check that the current packaging for the exact chocolate sprinkles variant explicitly states Fairtrade. Rainforest Alliance cocoa does not confirm this. If I mention Fairtrade at my stall, I want to be able to point to the mark on the pack I’ve chosen. This is the top priority for around 50% of consumers.
Allergen information Read the label for the exact variant. For mixed unpackaged products, also take account of the other ingredients. If I sell unpackaged treats, I want to be able to tell customers which allergens they contain before they buy. This is the main concern for around 30% of consumers.
Taste and use Compare dark and milk varieties, the stated cocoa solids and the pack weight for your intended use. For bread or decoration, I want to choose a flavour and quantity that suit what I’m making. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this consideration.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing Rainforest Alliance with Fairtrade

    The De Ruijter, Kiekeboe and Venz variants reviewed state that they use Rainforest Alliance cocoa. This does not confirm that the chocolate sprinkles in question meet a Fairtrade requirement.

    If Fairtrade is required, look for an explicit Fairtrade mark for the exact variant in the current product information and on the pack.

  • Treating a product page as proof of availability

    The Albert Heijn page we consulted marked Fairtrade Original Milk Chocolate Sprinkles as no longer in the range. So, the fact that product information is available on an existing page doesn’t mean you can still buy that variant.

    Check availability through your chosen retailer or ordering channel well before the Christmas market, and compare the pack you receive with your ingredients list.

  • Losing track of the label when using or repackaging the product

    According to the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, consumers must be able to get information about allergens present in products sold unpackaged. The allergens in the chocolate sprinkles may not be the only allergens in the finished product.

    Keep the original packaging and prepare an up-to-date list for each recipe that customers can consult before buying.

    Also allow time to update the list whenever the ingredients or recipe change.

Brands and retailers compared

Fairtrade Original

Both the dark and milk variants reviewed have a specific Fairtrade mark: Jumbo lists Dark 380 g in its Fairtrade category, while Albert Heijn states that the Milk variant carries the Fairtrade mark.

  • For Dark 380 g, the producer states that it contains at least 32% cocoa solids and may contain milk. Albert Heijn says the Milk variant contains 85% Fairtrade ingredients.
  • Check that the Milk variant is available before planning to use it for the Christmas market; the Albert Heijn page we consulted marked it as no longer in the range.

De Ruijter

Specials Intens Dark is another dark chocolate sprinkles option to compare by ingredients, but the stated cocoa certification is Rainforest Alliance, not a confirmed Fairtrade mark.

  • Albert Heijn states that this variant contains at least 52% cocoa solids.
  • The product information lists milk and soya; check the current label if you use this variant.

Venz

The Hagel Beer Milk Vanilla 380 g we reviewed is a mix of chocolate sprinkles with milk and vanilla flavour. Joybuy states that this variant uses Rainforest Alliance cocoa.

  • This mix offers a different flavour option if you’re not choosing strictly on the basis of Fairtrade.
  • The variant reviewed lists lactose, milk, soya and wheat, so it cannot be confirmed as suitable for a strict Fairtrade selection.

Albert Heijn

As a retailer, Albert Heijn provides product information for Fairtrade Original Milk Chocolate Sprinkles, including its Fairtrade mark.

  • The product page states that the specific milk variant carries the Fairtrade mark.
  • The page we consulted marked this variant as no longer in the range. Albert Heijn also notes that ingredient and allergen information can change, so check the current pack.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists Fairtrade Original Dark Chocolate Sprinkles 380 g in its Fairtrade category.

  • The category listing makes this specific dark variant worth considering if Fairtrade is a purchasing requirement.
  • This listing says nothing about the Fairtrade status of other chocolate sprinkles variants at Jumbo; check each one individually.

Kiekeboe / ALDI

ALDI Netherlands lists Kiekeboe Dark Chocolate Sprinkles 600 g with Rainforest Alliance cocoa as another dark variety to compare.

  • The stated pack weight is 600 g.
  • The Rainforest Alliance claim does not confirm this variant’s Fairtrade status; if Fairtrade is required, don’t choose it on the basis of that claim.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I check whether chocolate sprinkles meet a Fairtrade requirement?

Look for an explicit Fairtrade mark for the exact variant in the current product information and on the packaging. Jumbo lists Fairtrade Original Dark 380 g in its Fairtrade category; Albert Heijn says that Fairtrade Original Milk carries the Fairtrade mark. A Rainforest Alliance cocoa claim alone does not confirm Fairtrade status.

Should I choose dark or milk chocolate sprinkles for Christmas market treats?

Choose based on the flavour you want, your recipe and the allergen information for the exact variant. Fairtrade Original states that Dark contains at least 32% cocoa solids and warns that it may contain milk; the milk variant reviewed contains milk.

Do I need to provide allergen information for unpackaged treats containing chocolate sprinkles?

Yes. According to the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, consumers must be able to get information about allergens present in unpackaged products. Keep a record of the ingredients in the entire finished product and make the information available before purchase.

Can I rely on an online product page for ingredient information?

Use the online information to help you prepare, but check the label on the actual pack when you buy it. Albert Heijn says that ingredient, nutritional and allergen information can change when products are updated.