Who is this choice relevant to?

Shoppers who put Fairtrade first

You’re looking for chocolate sprinkles for the Christmas market with a Fairtrade claim on the specific variety you choose, rather than relying on a general sustainability message.

Organisers serving individual portions

You’re serving rusks topped with chocolate sprinkles to visitors and want to be able to provide ingredient and allergen information, even when the portions are no longer in their original packaging.

Shoppers weighing up flavour and pack size

You’re comparing dark and milk chocolate sprinkles, pack sizes and whether Fairtrade is essential for your choice.

What should you look for when choosing?

Before serving rusks with chocolate sprinkles at the Christmas market, decide which requirement matters most to you. Checking certification, allergen information and ease of serving each calls for a different approach.

What to look for What should you check? Who is this most important to?
Fairtrade claim Check the certification on the packaging of the exact chocolate sprinkles variety and, if necessary, compare it with the producer’s information. If Fairtrade chocolate is the starting point for my Christmas market stall, I want to be able to substantiate the claim for the pack I’ve chosen. For around 36% of consumers, having verifiable Fairtrade status is the top priority.
Ingredients and allergens Read the labels on the rusks and chocolate sprinkles, including warnings such as ‘may contain milk’. For unpackaged portions, make sure allergen information is available before purchase. When I’m serving visitors, I want to be able to answer their questions about ingredients and allergens using the product information. This reassurance is the top priority for around 29% of consumers.
Storage and serving Follow the storage advice on the rusk pack, keep opened packs tightly sealed and prepare portions as close to serving time as possible. If I’m handing out portions throughout a market, I want to avoid having rusks ready too early and going soft. Practical serving matters most to around 21% of consumers.
Flavour and packaging Compare dark and milk varieties to suit your taste, and check the pack size; don’t treat different varieties as the same product. If certification isn’t my deciding factor, I’d rather choose a flavour and pack size that suit me. This is the priority for around 14% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a brand name means a Fairtrade claim

    Fairtrade Original and standard varieties of chocolate sprinkles may sit alongside each other in the same shop range. The retailer or brand name alone doesn’t tell you whether the pack you’ve chosen carries Fairtrade certification.

    Check the claim on the exact variety you’re buying, and keep the packaging to hand if you’re serving the sprinkles at the market.

  • Assuming dark chocolate sprinkles are milk-free

    Fairtrade Original states that its Dark Chocolate Sprinkles 380 g may contain milk. So the word ‘dark’ doesn’t answer questions about milk allergens.

    If a visitor asks about milk, refer to the allergen information and warnings on the current packaging.

  • Preparing rusks well before serving

    The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises storing rusks in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container. Pre-prepared portions are harder to store this way.

    Keep the rusks and chocolate sprinkles separate, and top the rusks shortly before serving.

    Rusks that go soft can lead to extra waste.

  • Assuming every rusk contains iodised baker’s salt

    The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains when iodine compounds may be present in bakery products through the use of iodised baker’s salt. This doesn’t mean every pack of rusks contains iodine.

    Check the ingredients and product information for the rusks you’re actually using.

Brands to consider

Fairtrade Original

Worth considering if you’re looking for Fairtrade chocolate sprinkles: the product information for Dark Chocolate Sprinkles 380 g gives you a specific variety to look at.

  • For these chocolate sprinkles, Fairtrade Original lists the ingredients, a pack size of 380 g and at least 32% cocoa solids.
  • The product information also states that this variety may contain milk. Always check the current packaging before use.

De Ruijter

Jumbo lists De Ruijter dark and milk chocolate sprinkles among the products in its range.

  • The listed varieties give you a clear choice between dark and milk chocolate.
  • For a Fairtrade option, check the claim on the specific pack rather than relying on the brand name.

Venz

Venz is another chocolate sprinkles option in the range shown by Jumbo, including a milk and vanilla flavour variety.

  • The flavour variety mentioned offers a different taste profile to consider.
  • Check for a Fairtrade claim on the exact Venz variety you choose.

Jumbo

Jumbo’s range includes both its own-brand chocolate sprinkles and Fairtrade Original Dark Chocolate Sprinkles.

  • You can compare individual varieties by type and pack size within this range.
  • A Fairtrade claim on Fairtrade Original products doesn’t automatically apply to Jumbo own-brand chocolate sprinkles.

Related Joybuy products

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I check whether chocolate sprinkles are Fairtrade?

Check the Fairtrade claim on the packaging of the exact variety and, if necessary, compare it with the producer’s product information. Fairtrade Netherlands explains that the certification covers requirements relating to areas such as the environment, working conditions and price. A general sustainability claim or a retailer’s name is no substitute for a claim on the product itself.

Are Fairtrade Original Dark Chocolate Sprinkles suitable for someone with a milk allergy?

Don’t assume so: Fairtrade Original states that Dark Chocolate Sprinkles 380 g may contain milk. Before serving, read the allergen information and warnings on the current packaging, and don’t claim the sprinkles are milk-free based on the word ‘dark’.

What allergen information do I need for rusks prepared in advance?

The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must be available before purchase for unpackaged portions. So keep the information for both the rusks and the chocolate sprinkles available for visitors to your stall.

Does every pack of rusks contain iodine because of the baker’s salt?

No. The Dutch rules on using iodised baker’s salt don’t mean that every pack of rusks contains iodine. Check the ingredients and product information for the specific rusks you’re using. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine compounds may be used in bakery products through iodised baker’s salt under certain conditions; it isn’t a feature of every product.

How should I store rusks for a Christmas market?

Store rusks in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container, as advised by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Also follow the storage advice and use-by date on the packaging, and preferably top the rusks shortly before serving.