Who are these choices relevant to?

Shoppers who put Fairtrade first

You want to choose chocolate sprinkles for your rusks based on the FAIRTRADE Mark on the pack you buy, not just a general claim about cocoa.

Hosting guests with allergens in mind

You’re serving rusks to several people over New Year, so you check the ingredients, allergens and warnings about possible traces on each pack.

Shoppers who want to compare portions

You want to know how much chocolate sprinkles you put on each rusk, and compare sugars and energy per portion as well as the nutritional values per 100 g.

What should you look for when choosing?

If Fairtrade is your main priority, start by checking the mark on the pack of chocolate sprinkles you’ve chosen. Then check the allergens and nutritional information for the portion you plan to serve.

What to check What to look for when buying Who it matters to
Fairtrade mark Look for the FAIRTRADE Mark and read which variety the wording on the pack refers to. A Rainforest Alliance statement does not confirm that a product carries the Fairtrade mark. If I want Fairtrade chocolate sprinkles for my New Year’s breakfast, I need to be able to identify the mark on the pack. For around 50% of consumers, this check would be the most important factor when buying.
Allergens Read the ingredients and allergen warnings on both the chocolate sprinkles and the rusks; don’t rely on the word ‘dark’ alone. When I serve rusks to guests, I want to know which ingredients and warnings are relevant to them. For around 33% of consumers, checking allergens would come first.
Portion and nutritional information Compare sugars and energy per stated portion and per 100 g, and check the portion size the figures are based on. I want to estimate how much chocolate sprinkles to serve with each rusk, as the amount used may differ from the portion shown on the label. For around 17% of consumers, portion size would be their first consideration.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing Rainforest Alliance with Fairtrade

    These are different certification programmes. A statement about Rainforest Alliance cocoa doesn’t mean that the chocolate sprinkles you’ve chosen carry the FAIRTRADE Mark.

    Check the mark and the wording alongside it on the pack of the variety you’re buying.

  • Assuming dark chocolate sprinkles can’t contain milk

    Albert Heijn states that Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur 380 g may contain milk. The word ‘dark’ doesn’t override that warning.

    Read the current ingredients list and the allergen and possible trace warnings on the pack.

  • Judging by pack size alone

    The pack size won’t tell you which mark the chocolate sprinkles carry, which allergens are listed or how much sugar is in the portion you use.

    Compare the mark and ingredients first, then check the nutritional information and how much you plan to use on each rusk.

  • Assuming all rusks are made with iodised baker’s salt

    The 2008 agreement on baker’s salt from the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport defines baker’s salt as iodised table salt for bread and other baked goods. It doesn’t tell you which salt was used in a particular rusk.

    Check the ingredients on the pack of the rusks you’ve chosen, or ask the manufacturer for product information if this matters to you.

Brands compared

Fairtrade Original

Worth considering if you’re looking for a Fairtrade claim on the chocolate sprinkles for your rusks.

  • Albert Heijn and Jumbo list Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur 380 g as Fairtrade; Jumbo states that this variety contains at least 32% cocoa solids.
  • According to Albert Heijn’s product information, the dark variety may contain milk. Check the current packaging.

De Ruijter

A brand to compare if you’re also considering chocolate sprinkles with a Rainforest Alliance statement.

  • Albert Heijn lists Rainforest Alliance for De Ruijter Chocoladehagel Puur 390 g.
  • Albert Heijn’s ingredients information lists soya lecithin and milk fat for this variety. The Rainforest Alliance statement does not confirm the FAIRTRADE Mark.

Venz

A point of comparison if you’d like to look at a different claim about certified cocoa.

  • According to Albert Heijn’s product page, Venz says it sources cocoa from Rainforest Alliance-certified farms.
  • Check the mark and allergens on the pack of the Venz variety you choose; the cocoa statement does not confirm Fairtrade.

Kiekeboe

A supermarket own-brand option to compare if you’re looking for dark chocolate sprinkles with a Rainforest Alliance statement.

  • ALDI describes Kiekeboe Hagelslag Puur as a 600 g pack made with Rainforest Alliance cocoa.
  • Don’t choose this variety solely on the basis of its cocoa statement if the FAIRTRADE Mark is a requirement for you.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I check whether chocolate sprinkles are Fairtrade?

Look for the FAIRTRADE Mark and the wording alongside it on the pack of the chocolate sprinkles you’ve chosen. Fairtrade Nederland describes different versions of the mark for products with multiple ingredients, so check which label and claim appear on your pack.

Is Rainforest Alliance the same as Fairtrade?

No, Rainforest Alliance and Fairtrade are different certification programmes. If Fairtrade is essential to you, check for the FAIRTRADE Mark on the chocolate sprinkles you’ve chosen rather than relying solely on a statement about Rainforest Alliance cocoa.

Should I check for milk in dark chocolate sprinkles?

Yes, dark chocolate sprinkles can still carry a milk warning. Albert Heijn states that Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur 380 g may contain milk, so always check the current allergen information on the pack of the chocolate sprinkles you’re serving.

Are all rusks made with iodised baker’s salt?

You can’t assume this is true of every rusk. The 2008 agreement on baker’s salt from the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport explains what baker’s salt is, but doesn’t confirm the ingredients of any particular product. Check the rusk packaging or ask the manufacturer.