Parents who prioritise Fairtrade
You’re looking for chocolate sprinkles for a cake, cupcakes or party treats, and want to check the Fair Trade label before choosing based on flavour or brand.
Who is this choice relevant for?
Families who need to check allergens
You’re baking with children for whom ingredients and statements about milk, soya or the possible presence of allergens are important. That’s why you check the label on the pack you’re using.
Bakers looking for dark chocolate sprinkles as decoration
You want to sprinkle chocolate sprinkles over cupcakes or other bakes and compare pack sizes and the stated cocoa percentage, without treating it as a predictor of flavour.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether a Fair Trade label is essential, then check the allergens on the pack. After that, compare the quantity and the dark flavour you want for your baking project.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fair Trade label | Check the label on the pack you choose; don’t confuse Fairtrade with Rainforest Alliance. | I specifically want chocolate sprinkles with a Fair Trade label for our bakes, even if another dark variety would suit us in terms of flavour. Around 42% of consumers put this certification requirement first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list, highlighted allergens and warnings on the pack you’re using. | When children are eating the bakes, I want to know whether the sprinkles contain ingredients they need to avoid. For around 33% of consumers, this check comes first. |
| Quantity and dark flavour | Compare the net weight and stated cocoa percentage with what you want to use for your planned bakes. | For cupcakes or several baking sessions, I want to choose a suitable quantity and take the desired dark flavour into account. This practical choice comes first for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming Rainforest Alliance means Fairtrade
According to Albert Heijn, the De Ruijter and Venz varieties we looked at state that they contain Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa. This is not the same certification as Fair Trade; Jumbo lists Fairtrade Original Dark in its Fair Trade sweet bread toppings category.
If Fair Trade is a requirement for you, check for that label on the variety you’re buying rather than relying on a different cocoa certification.
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Relying only on the online product description
When baking with children, there can be an important difference between ‘contains milk’ and ‘may contain milk’. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights the allergen information included with the ingredients on prepacked food labels.
Use product pages to compare items, but check the ingredients and allergen information again on the pack you’ll be baking with.
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Looking only at the pack size
The dark varieties we looked at come in 200 g, 380 g and 400 g packs. The pack size alone tells you nothing about the certification, allergens or which flavour children will enjoy.
Think about how many sprinkles you’ll need for your planned cake or cupcakes, then still check that the product meets your certification and allergen requirements.
Brands and varieties compared
Fairtrade Original
A relevant choice when an explicit Fair Trade label is your main requirement. Jumbo lists Chocoladehagelslag Puur 380 g in its Fair Trade sweet bread toppings category.
- Fairtrade Original states that this dark variety contains at least 32% cocoa solids and suggests using it in chocolate-sprinkle cake.
- According to the producer, this variety may contain milk; check the current packaging if this matters for the children.
De Ruijter
The Specials Intens Puur variety we looked at is a dark chocolate sprinkle option if you’re happy with Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa as your choice of certification.
- Albert Heijn lists a 200 g pack and at least 52% cocoa solids for this variety.
- Albert Heijn lists milk and soya as allergens, and says that lactose may be present. The Rainforest Alliance statement does not confirm Fairtrade status.
Venz
The Venz Puur variety we looked at is an option to compare if you’re looking for a larger pack of dark chocolate sprinkles and Fairtrade is not an essential requirement.
- Albert Heijn lists a 400 g pack, at least 32% cocoa solids and cupcakes as a suggested use for this variety.
- According to Albert Heijn, this variety contains milk and soya and may contain lactose. The statement that it contains Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa does not confirm Fairtrade status.
Chocolate sprinkles on Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Are Rainforest Alliance chocolate sprinkles the same as Fairtrade chocolate sprinkles?
No, they are different certifications. According to Albert Heijn, the De Ruijter and Venz varieties we looked at state that they contain Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa; Jumbo lists Fairtrade Original Dark in its Fair Trade sweet bread toppings category. Check the pack you choose if Fair Trade is a requirement for your purchase.
Which chocolate sprinkles could I consider if I want Fairtrade and am baking with children?
Fairtrade Original Chocoladehagelslag Puur 380 g fits the bill: Jumbo lists this variety as a Fair Trade sweet bread topping, and Fairtrade Original suggests using it in chocolate-sprinkle cake. Before baking, read the current ingredients and allergen information on the pack.
Which allergens should I check for in these dark varieties?
At the very least, check the packaging for statements about milk and soya for the variety you’re using. Albert Heijn lists milk and soya for the De Ruijter and Venz varieties we looked at; Fairtrade Original states that its dark chocolate sprinkles may contain milk. Also read the other ingredients and warnings if children need to avoid anything.
Does more cocoa mean children will enjoy the chocolate sprinkles more?
No, the cocoa percentage doesn’t predict personal taste preferences. Albert Heijn lists at least 52% cocoa solids for De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur and at least 32% for Venz Puur; Fairtrade Original lists at least 32% for its dark variety. When choosing, also consider the certification you want, the pack size and the allergens.