Who is this choice relevant to?

Festival-goers who put Fairtrade first

You want to take rusks with dark chocolate sprinkles and are looking for an explicit Fairtrade mark on the sprinkles packaging. Albert Heijn lists the mark for Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur 380 g.

Groups who want to keep breakfast dry on the journey

You’re taking rusks and chocolate sprinkles for several people and want to keep them separate until you’re ready to eat. Fairtrade Original recommends storing the chocolate sprinkles in a cool, dry place. For the AH BASIC Volkoren beschuit reviewed here, Albert Heijn recommends keeping it in a sealed tin after opening.

Buyers for whom allergens are a deciding factor

You’re choosing for someone whose decision depends on ingredients or allergens. Check the chocolate sprinkles and rusks separately: Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur may contain milk, while AH BASIC Volkoren beschuit contains cereals containing gluten and egg, according to Albert Heijn.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by checking the mark on the exact variety of chocolate sprinkles. Then consider whether you can keep the two products dry while travelling, and whether both labels are suitable for the people you’re buying for.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Fairtrade mark Look for the Fairtrade mark on the exact variety of chocolate sprinkles. Read any additional information about the certification if physical traceability matters to you. I don’t want to rely on a general sustainability claim; I want to see a recognisable Fairtrade mark. This is the top priority for around 50% of consumers making this choice.
Keeping everything dry Check the storage instructions and protect the rusks, keeping them separate from the chocolate sprinkles. For breakfast at the festival, I want the rusks to stay whole until I’m ready to top them. This practical consideration matters most to around 30% of consumers.
Allergens Read the current labels on both the rusks and chocolate sprinkles, including any warnings that an allergen may be present. If I’m buying for someone with an allergy, I need to be able to assess both products before considering the certification or convenience. Checking the labels is the top priority for around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing Rainforest Alliance with Fairtrade

    These are different certifications. The product pages reviewed for De Ruijter Hagelslag Puur, Venz Melk Chocolade Hagelslag and Jumbo Hagelslag Melkchocolade mention Rainforest Alliance for the cocoa. That doesn’t make these varieties confirmed Fairtrade choices.

    If Fairtrade is a must for you, look for the Fairtrade mark on the packaging of the exact variety of chocolate sprinkles.

  • Assuming dark chocolate sprinkles don’t contain milk

    According to Albert Heijn, Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur may contain milk. Jumbo lists milk and soya in the De Ruijter Hagelslag Puur reviewed here. Rusks also have their own ingredients and allergen information.

    Before buying, read the current labels on both products, including any warnings that an allergen may be present.

  • Topping the rusks before you set off

    When travelling, it’s best to protect rusks from moisture and breakage. The chocolate sprinkles reviewed here should also be stored in a cool, dry place.

    Take the rusks and chocolate sprinkles separately, seal any opened rusks tightly, and add the topping just before you eat.

  • Assuming every rusk contains iodised baker’s salt

    Baker’s salt contains iodine, but according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use it. So you can’t tell which salt has been used in a particular rusk just from the product type.

    If you want to know which salt a specific variety contains, check the ingredients or ask the manufacturer or baker.

Brands to consider

For each brand, compare the exact variety of chocolate sprinkles. A certification, ingredients list or allergen statement for one variety doesn’t automatically apply to another.

Fairtrade Original

Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur is a 380 g dark chocolate sprinkle product for which Albert Heijn lists a Fairtrade mark.

  • Fairtrade Original states that this variety contains at least 32% cocoa solids and recommends storing the chocolate sprinkles in a cool, dry place.
  • The chocolate sprinkles may contain milk. Fairtrade International says that mass balance may apply to cocoa and sugar, so the mark doesn’t guarantee that the ingredients in a pack are physically traceable separately.

De Ruijter

The Hagelslag Puur 390 g reviewed here is an alternative if an explicit Fairtrade mark isn’t essential.

  • Jumbo states that this variety contains at least 32% cocoa solids and Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa.
  • The variety reviewed here contains milk and soya and may contain lactose. The Rainforest Alliance claim is not a Fairtrade mark.

Venz

The Melk Chocolade Hagelslag 400 g reviewed here is for anyone looking for milk chocolate sprinkles without requiring Fairtrade certification.

  • Jumbo’s product information states that this variety contains at least 20% cocoa solids and Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa.
  • According to Jumbo, the variety contains milk, soya and lactose; the page reviewed doesn’t mention a Fairtrade mark.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur 380 g alongside its own milk chocolate sprinkles. Check the certification for each product individually.

  • For the Fairtrade Original variety, Jumbo lists the pack contents and ingredients.
  • The Jumbo Hagelslag Melkchocolade reviewed here lists Rainforest Alliance cocoa, not Fairtrade, and contains milk.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn provides product information for Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur 380 g and for individual varieties of rusks.

  • The information for the Fairtrade Original variety lists the Fairtrade mark, ingredients and storage advice.
  • Check your chosen variety of rusks separately: according to Albert Heijn, AH BASIC Volkoren beschuit contains cereals containing gluten and egg.

Joybuy products

Related products will appear soon.

Frequently asked questions

Which Fairtrade chocolate sprinkles can I choose to go with rusks?

Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur 380 g is a specific option if you’re looking for an explicit Fairtrade mark on the chocolate sprinkles. Albert Heijn lists the mark for this variety. Also check the packaging of both the chocolate sprinkles and the rusks for ingredients and allergens.

Are the cocoa and sugar in Fairtrade chocolate sprinkles always physically traceable separately?

No, a Fairtrade mark doesn’t guarantee that. Fairtrade International says mass balance is permitted for products including cocoa and sugar. This means ingredients may be physically mixed while the volumes bought and sold under Fairtrade terms are tracked. If physical traceability matters to you, read the additional information on the packaging.

How should I take rusks and chocolate sprinkles to a festival?

Take the rusks and chocolate sprinkles separately, and top the rusks just before you eat. Protect the rusks from moisture and breakage. Fairtrade Original recommends storing the chocolate sprinkles reviewed here in a cool, dry place, while Albert Heijn recommends keeping AH BASIC Volkoren beschuit in a sealed tin after opening.

Should I check the rusks for allergens too?

Yes, check the current labels on both products. According to Albert Heijn, Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur may contain milk, while AH BASIC Volkoren beschuit contains cereals containing gluten and egg. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked foods.

Does every Dutch rusk contain iodised baker’s salt?

No, don’t assume that it does. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that baker’s salt contains iodine, but bakers aren’t required to use it. For a specific variety of rusks, check the ingredients or ask the manufacturer or baker.