Who are these sprinkles for?

If Fairtrade comes first

You want to add chocolate sprinkles to your afternoon coffee and are looking for a Fairtrade statement on the exact variety you’re buying. A brand name or general sustainability mark isn’t enough.

If you prefer dark or vegan chocolate

You’re looking for dark chocolate sprinkles or checking for a vegan label. If traces of milk matter to you, check the allergen warning too: PLUS states that its dark Fairtrade sprinkles may contain milk and lactose.

If you prefer milk chocolate

You prefer milk chocolate sprinkles and want to know what’s in the variety you choose. According to its product page, PLUS’s milk variety labelled Fairtrade Cacao contains whole milk powder and lactose.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide whether Fairtrade cocoa is a must-have. Then compare the dark and milk varieties by their ingredients, allergens and how much you want to use with your coffee.

What to consider What to check before buying Who should pay particular attention?
Fairtrade statement Look for Fairtrade Cacao or the FAIRTRADE mark on the current packaging or product page for the variety you’ve chosen. Fairtrade International notes that the mark on the packaging is accompanied by a corresponding claim. If Fairtrade cocoa is my main reason for buying sprinkles, I want to see that statement on the variety I choose. For around 42% of consumers, this is the top priority.
Dark, vegan and traces of milk Check both the vegan label and the allergen warning. PLUS states that its dark Fairtrade sprinkles may contain milk and lactose. I like to choose dark or vegan, but I don’t want to miss a warning about traces of milk. Around 25% of consumers put this preference first.
Milk chocolate and ingredients Check the ingredients of the milk variety itself. According to PLUS, its milk chocolate sprinkles with Fairtrade Cacao contain whole milk powder and lactose. I prefer milk chocolate with my coffee, but also want to know whether this variety contains milk or lactose. For around 17% of consumers, this taste preference matters most.
Portion and nutritional information Compare nutritional information on the same basis, such as sugars per 100 g, and consider how many sprinkles you use at a time. PLUS lists 63,8 g of sugars per 100 g for the dark variety and 67,1 g per 100 g for the milk variety. If I regularly have sprinkles with my afternoon coffee, I want to compare the nutritional information with my own portion size. Around 16% of consumers put this first.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking another certification for Fairtrade

    Joybuy’s product page for G'woon dark chocolate sprinkles states that they are Rainforest Alliance certified. That doesn’t mean the sprinkles are Fairtrade.

    If Fairtrade cocoa is a must-have, look for an explicit Fairtrade statement for the exact variety rather than treating different certifications as interchangeable.

  • Assuming dark or vegan always means milk-free

    PLUS labels its dark Fairtrade sprinkles as vegan, but the product page also warns that they may contain milk and lactose.

    If you’re avoiding milk or lactose, check both the ingredients and the allergen warning on the packaging you buy.

  • Going by the flavour name alone

    According to the product page, PLUS’s milk chocolate sprinkles with Fairtrade Cacao contain whole milk powder and lactose. The Joybuy product page for De Ruijter Milk Chocolate Sprinkles lists milk, lactose and soya.

    Compare ingredients and allergens for each product variety, especially if you need to avoid any of these ingredients.

  • Assuming an old product listing is still available to buy

    Albert Heijn still has a page for Fairtrade Original Dark Chocolate Sprinkles 300 g, but lists the product as discontinued.

    Check that a product is actually available to order before relying on an older listing when shopping.

Brands to consider

PLUS

PLUS lists 300 g packs of dark and milk chocolate sprinkles with the Fairtrade Cacao label on its product pages. When choosing between them, it’s also worth checking the ingredients.

  • You can check the Fairtrade statement on the product page for both of these varieties.
  • The dark variety may contain milk and lactose; the milk variety contains whole milk powder and lactose. Check the label on the pack you buy.

De Ruijter

De Ruijter is a brand to consider when comparing flavours and ingredients. The milk variety reviewed doesn’t, by itself, meet a Fairtrade requirement.

  • Albert Heijn and Jumbo list De Ruijter sprinkles in their product ranges.
  • Joybuy’s page for De Ruijter Milk Chocolate Sprinkles 200 g states that the cocoa is Rainforest Alliance certified, not Fairtrade, and lists milk, lactose and soya.

Fairtrade Original

The name is useful when searching for Fairtrade sprinkles, but finding a product page doesn’t automatically mean the product is currently available to buy.

  • Albert Heijn’s page for Fairtrade Original Dark Chocolate Sprinkles 300 g states that the cocoa comes from Fairtrade farmers.
  • Albert Heijn marks this specific product as discontinued. Check for a current listing if you want to buy it.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does the brand name mean that all the ingredients are Fairtrade?

No. The brand name alone doesn’t tell you which Fairtrade claim applies to the chocolate sprinkles you’ve chosen. Check the current packaging for the certification mark used and the claim that goes with it. Fairtrade International says that the FAIRTRADE mark on the packaging is accompanied by such a claim.

Can you assume dark Fairtrade sprinkles are suitable if you avoid milk?

No. Being dark or vegan doesn’t, by itself, rule out a milk warning. PLUS’s dark Fairtrade sprinkles are labelled vegan, but the product page says they may contain milk and lactose. So, check the allergen information on the packaging.

Where can I find allergen information for pre-packed sprinkles?

The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information should appear on the label of pre-packed products. Check the ingredients and allergen warnings on the packaging for the variety you choose, even if you’ve looked online beforehand.

How should I store chocolate sprinkles for my afternoon coffee?

According to the product pages, PLUS’s dark and milk chocolate sprinkles should be stored in a cool, dry, dark place, with the pack sealed well after opening. Also check the best-before date and any instructions on your own pack.