Fairtrade Chocolate Sprinkles for King's Day Rusks

Who is this choice relevant to?

If you’re specifically looking for Fairtrade

You want to choose chocolate sprinkles for your King’s Day rusks based on the Fairtrade mark, rather than just a general claim about sustainably sourced cocoa.

If you need to consider allergens

You’re serving rusks with chocolate sprinkles to others or eating them yourself, and need to check whether the chosen variety contains milk, soya, gluten or wheat.

If you want to compare flavour and sugar

As well as the certification, you want to check the stated cocoa content and nutritional information, while keeping any claim about less sugar in the context of the product it is compared with.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you’re looking for a Fairtrade mark on the chocolate sprinkles, specifically want Fairtrade-certified cocoa, or are also happy with another cocoa certification. Then read the information for the variety you plan to serve on your rusks.

Chocolate sprinkles with a Fairtrade mark

When: Choose this option if the Fairtrade mark on the product is your main requirement; Albert Heijn lists this mark for Fairtrade Original dark chocolate sprinkles.

Bear in mind: Jumbo says this dark variety may contain milk; the certification does not replace an allergen check.

Fairtrade-certified cocoa

When: This is a good option if the claim about the cocoa’s origin is what matters to you; Albert Heijn lists this claim for Delicata dark chocolate sprinkles.

Bear in mind: Check the packaging to see what the Fairtrade mark applies to. According to Milieu Centraal, a Fairtrade logo on a white background indicates a certified ingredient, not the whole product.

Rainforest Alliance cocoa

When: Consider this option if you’re not looking exclusively for Fairtrade; Jumbo lists Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa in the dark varieties from De Ruijter, Venz and its own brand that were reviewed.

Bear in mind: A Rainforest Alliance statement is not a Fairtrade mark. Check the allergens for each variety too.

What to consider	What should you check?	Who is this most relevant to?
Fairtrade claim	Read the Fairtrade mark and the accompanying wording: does the claim apply to the chocolate sprinkles or to the cocoa as an ingredient?	I want to be able to see exactly what the Fairtrade claim applies to for my King’s Day rusks. Around 50% of consumers prioritise being able to make a verifiable Fairtrade choice.
Allergens	Read the ingredients and allergen information on the chosen pack, even if it says ‘dark’.	If I’m serving rusks to someone who needs to avoid certain ingredients, I don’t want to rely on the product name. For around 30% of consumers, checking allergens is the top priority.
Sugars and cocoa	Compare the sugars per 100 g, the stated cocoa content and the reference product for any claim about less sugar.	I want to know how the nutritional information for the chocolate sprinkles I’m serving compares with other varieties. Sugar, cocoa and flavour matter most to around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

Confusing Rainforest Alliance with Fairtrade

A statement that the cocoa is Rainforest Alliance-certified does not mean the chocolate sprinkles carry a Fairtrade mark.

Decide which certification matters to you, then check the logo and accompanying wording on the packaging.
Assuming dark chocolate sprinkles are milk-free

Jumbo says Fairtrade Original dark chocolate sprinkles may contain milk; the De Ruijter and Venz dark varieties reviewed also list milk-related allergens.

Check the current allergen information for the specific variety just before serving, even if you know the brand.
Reading ‘less sugar’ without checking what it’s compared with

The ‘30% less sugar’ claim for the Jumbo dark chocolate sprinkles reviewed compares that variety with Jumbo dark chocolate sprinkles, not with every other product of this kind.

Check the named reference product and compare the nutritional values per 100 g if sugar matters to your choice.
Assuming rusks contain iodine

According to the Voedingscentrum, baker’s salt contains iodine, but bakers do not have to use it. The chocolate sprinkles you choose tell you nothing about the rusks.

Check the ingredients of the rusks separately if you want to know whether baker’s salt has been used.

Brands to consider

Fairtrade Original

Worth considering if you’re looking for chocolate sprinkles with a Fairtrade mark: Albert Heijn lists this mark for the 380 g dark variety.

According to the product information, this variety contains at least 32% cocoa solids.
Jumbo says the dark variety may contain milk.

Delicata

Albert Heijn says Delicata dark chocolate sprinkles contain Fairtrade-certified cocoa; check the packaging for the precise scope of the claim.

The variety reviewed lists at least 43% cocoa solids.
This variety lists milk and lactose; check the packaging if you need to avoid them.

De Ruijter

According to Jumbo, the dark chocolate sprinkles reviewed contain Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa, which is a different certification from Fairtrade.

According to the product information, this variety contains at least 32% cocoa solids.
The variety reviewed lists milk and soya; check the current allergen information.

Venz

According to Jumbo, the dark chocolate sprinkles reviewed contain Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa, not a Fairtrade mark.

According to the product information, this variety contains at least 32% cocoa solids.
The variety reviewed lists milk and soya; check the allergens on the packaging.

Jumbo huismerk

The 200 g dark own-brand variety reviewed lists Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa and includes a separate comparison for sugar.

Jumbo lists at least 50% cocoa solids and 30% less sugar than Jumbo dark chocolate sprinkles.
The variety reviewed contains milk and may contain gluten and wheat; Rainforest Alliance is not a Fairtrade mark.

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Frequently asked questions

How can I identify chocolate sprinkles for a strict Fairtrade choice?

Check the Fairtrade mark and read what the claim applies to. Albert Heijn lists Fairtrade Original dark chocolate sprinkles with the Fairtrade mark; according to Milieu Centraal, a Fairtrade logo on a white background indicates only a certified ingredient.

Is Rainforest Alliance the same as Fairtrade?

No, they are different certifications. The dark varieties from De Ruijter, Venz and Jumbo that were reviewed list Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa; don’t choose based on that statement alone if you specifically want a Fairtrade mark on your chocolate sprinkles.

Can dark chocolate sprinkles contain milk or other allergens?

Yes. According to Jumbo, the Fairtrade Original dark variety reviewed may contain milk, while the De Ruijter and Venz varieties reviewed list milk and soya. Before serving, read the allergen information on the packaging of the product you’re actually serving.

Is using iodised baker’s salt in rusks compulsory?

Don’t assume baker’s salt has been used in the rusks. According to the Voedingscentrum, baker’s salt contains iodine, but bakers do not have to use it; check the ingredients of the rusks separately.

How should I store chocolate sprinkles for a King’s Day breakfast?

Store the chocolate sprinkles in a cool, dry place and follow the storage information on the packaging. Jumbo’s product information recommends storing the Fairtrade Original and Jumbo varieties reviewed in a cool, dry place.