Who are these sprinkles suitable for?

Marathon runner looking for Fairtrade cocoa

You want to have chocolate sprinkles with a meal or snack, and check that Fairtrade cocoa is explicitly mentioned on the packaging or product page.

Runner who pays attention to timing

You want to choose a portion that sits well with you around training. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating a meal well before exercise and trying out new food choices during training.

Runner with a dairy or dietary preference

You compare dark and milk chocolate sprinkles by checking the ingredients, possible traces of milk and the allergen information for the variety you buy.

What should you look for when choosing?

First check that the cocoa meets your Fairtrade requirement. Then choose a suitable time to eat it and read the nutrition and allergen information for each variety.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it's important for
Fairtrade cocoa Look for the Fairtrade mark or an explicit Fairtrade cocoa statement on the packaging. Rainforest Alliance certification does not confirm the same requirement. If Fairtrade cocoa is a deciding factor for me, I want to be able to find that statement on the packaging I buy. For around 42% of consumers, this check comes first.
Timing and how well it sits Check the nutritional information per 100 g as well as your actual portion size; try out the portion and timing during training. Before a long training session, I want to eat something familiar without having a large portion just before setting off. Around 33% of consumers give timing and how well food sits the highest priority.
Milk and dietary preference Read the ingredients and allergen statement for your chosen dark or milk variety, even if it is labelled vegan. If I need to avoid milk, I want to know whether the sprinkles contain milk or may contain traces of it. For around 25% of consumers, this is the most important consideration.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing Rainforest Alliance with Fairtrade

    Albert Heijn lists Rainforest Alliance cocoa for De Ruijter dark chocolate sprinkles, and ALDI does the same for Kiekeboe sprinkles. This does not confirm that these products contain Fairtrade cocoa.

    Check which certification or cocoa claim actually appears on the packaging of the product you buy.

  • Using sprinkles as a complete on-the-go plan

    Chocolate sprinkles can be part of a meal at home, but they don't answer the question of what to eat and drink during a long run. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre discusses carbohydrates and fluids separately for prolonged exercise.

    Have sprinkles as part of a familiar meal and practise your on-the-go choices during long training sessions.

  • Assuming vegan means dairy-free

    PLUS labels its dark variety as vegan, but says that milk and lactose may be present.

    If you need to avoid milk, read the current allergen statement rather than relying on the vegan label alone.

  • Relying only on the online product description

    Ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change. So a product description you viewed earlier may differ from the packaging you buy.

    Check the label again if the Fairtrade statement, nutrition information or allergens are important to your choice.

Brands to consider

PLUS

PLUS states that its dark and milk chocolate sprinkles contain Fairtrade cocoa. Compare the two varieties separately for ingredients and allergens.

  • According to PLUS, the product pages for both varieties show ingredients, allergens and nutritional values.
  • The milk variety contains milk and lactose; PLUS states that the dark variety may contain milk and lactose.

De Ruijter

The dark chocolate sprinkles are another option if Fairtrade cocoa isn't an absolute requirement.

  • Albert Heijn states that this dark variety contains Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa.
  • This statement does not confirm that this variety contains Fairtrade cocoa.

Kiekeboe (ALDI)

ALDI lists Kiekeboe chocolate sprinkles in milk and dark varieties; the certification mentioned is relevant if you want to distinguish between different certifications.

  • ALDI states that these chocolate sprinkles are Rainforest Alliance-certified.
  • This statement does not confirm Fairtrade status for the sprinkles.

Joybuy products for this topic

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are chocolate sprinkles suitable as fuel during a marathon?

Not as a complete food and drink plan for on the go. Chocolate sprinkles are better suited to a familiar meal or snack outside your run; during long training sessions, work out separately which food and drink you can have on the go.

When should I eat chocolate sprinkles before a long training session?

Have them as part of a meal whose portion size and timing you've already tried during training. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating a meal around two to three hours before exercise; a large portion just before setting off may not sit as well.

How can I identify Fairtrade cocoa in chocolate sprinkles?

Look for the Fairtrade mark or an explicit Fairtrade cocoa statement on the packaging of the variety you've chosen. According to Fairtrade International, use of the mark depends on the relevant requirements for the ingredients, so check exactly what claim is made for the product.

Are dark Fairtrade chocolate sprinkles automatically dairy-free?

No. PLUS labels its dark chocolate sprinkles as vegan, but states that milk and lactose may be present. If you need to avoid milk, always check the allergen statement on the packaging you buy.