Who is this choice relevant to?

Shoppers who put Fairtrade first

You want chocolate sprinkles on rusks, but will only choose after checking the Fairtrade label for the specific product on its packaging or product page.

Fans of dark chocolate sprinkles

You’re looking for a dark chocolate option for your rusks and also want to check that its ingredients, nutritional information and cocoa certification suit your preferences.

Shoppers who keep an eye on portion sizes

You enjoy chocolate sprinkles with a cup of tea, but want to compare the sugars and saturated fats and decide for yourself how much to sprinkle on a rusk.

What should you look for when choosing?

When choosing chocolate sprinkles for rusks, first check for the cocoa certification you want. Then compare the taste and ingredients, and consider the nutritional information alongside the amount you sprinkle.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Fairtrade label Look for the Fairtrade mark or an explicit Fairtrade label on the specific product. Treat other cocoa certifications as a separate consideration. I want to be able to see that the Fairtrade label applies to the chocolate sprinkles I’m buying. For around 45% of shoppers, being able to verify this status comes first.
Taste and allergens Compare dark and milk chocolate options, and read the latest ingredients and allergen information on the packaging. If taste or an ingredient I need to avoid determines my choice, I don’t want to rely on the product name alone. For around 33% of shoppers, finding a suitable option is the top priority.
Portion size and nutritional value Compare sugars and saturated fats per 100 g, and take into account how much you actually sprinkle. I want to keep enjoying chocolate sprinkles, but decide for myself how much to put on my rusk. For around 22% of shoppers, portion-conscious use matters most.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking another cocoa certification for Fairtrade

    Rainforest Alliance certification on cocoa does not, in itself, confirm that the chocolate sprinkles are Fairtrade-certified.

    Check the latest packaging for the Fairtrade mark or an explicit Fairtrade label for the product you’re buying.

  • Assuming Fairtrade is a nutritional label

    A Fairtrade label doesn’t tell you how much sugar or saturated fat the chocolate sprinkles contain. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also advises enjoying chocolate sprinkles as a sweet topping in moderation.

    Compare the nutritional information for the option you’ve chosen and decide how much you want to use on a rusk.

  • Assuming all rusks contain iodised baking salt

    You can’t assume that every rusk contains iodised salt.

    Read the ingredients list for the specific rusk and, if you’re unsure, ask the manufacturer about its ingredients.

  • Not sealing an opened pack properly

    How you store chocolate sprinkles can affect their quality while you’re using them.

    Seal the pack properly after use and store it in a dry place, as advised by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.

Brands to consider

Fairtrade Original

Fairtrade Original offers a Hagelslag Puur with an FT label. The product page says its cocoa comes from West Africa and Latin America.

  • A specific dark chocolate option to compare for its Fairtrade label.
  • For the pack you buy, also check the latest nutritional information, ingredients and allergens.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn offers, among other products, Fairtrade Original Hagelslag melk and AH Hagelslag puur minder suiker. These are different products with different things to consider when buying.

  • You can weigh up an explicitly Fairtrade product against a supermarket own-brand option that focuses on less sugar.
  • The mention of Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa in the AH option does not confirm that it is Fairtrade-certified.

PLUS

In May 2023, Fairtrade Netherlands described Fairtrade-certified cocoa in PLUS own-brand products.

  • This is a useful starting point if you’re also considering own-brand products made with Fairtrade cocoa.
  • Check the latest packaging for the specific chocolate sprinkles; the description doesn’t confirm which variety carries that label.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I recognise Fairtrade chocolate sprinkles?

Check whether the latest packaging or product page shows a Fairtrade mark or an explicit Fairtrade label for those chocolate sprinkles. Fairtrade Netherlands sets out requirements covering areas such as the environment, working conditions and pricing; another cocoa certification doesn’t automatically confirm the same certification.

Should I check the nutritional information for dark chocolate sprinkles too?

Yes. The word ‘dark’ doesn’t tell you how much sugar or saturated fat the chocolate sprinkles you’ve chosen contain. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights both as things to consider; compare the nutritional information per 100 g and keep an eye on how much you sprinkle.

How can I tell whether my rusks contain iodised salt?

Read the ingredients list for the specific rusks. Don’t assume all rusk products have the same ingredients, and ask the manufacturer for clarification if the information isn’t clear to you.

How should I store an opened pack of chocolate sprinkles?

Seal the pack properly and store it in a dry place, as advised by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Also follow the storage instructions and best-before date on your pack.