Party organiser who requires Fairtrade
You’re serving rusks with chocolate sprinkles at a Christmas party and want the sprinkles themselves to carry a clear Fairtrade label. Albert Heijn lists this label for Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Party organiser mindful of allergens
You’re hosting several guests and want to distinguish between milk as an ingredient and a warning that a product may contain milk. Other varieties may also carry warnings about gluten or wheat.
Organiser of a larger buffet
You want enough chocolate sprinkles for everyone, so you compare pack sizes. A larger pack doesn’t tell you anything about its certification: ALDI lists Rainforest Alliance cocoa for Kiekeboe Hagelslag Puur in a 600 g pack.
What should you look for when buying?
First decide whether Fairtrade is a requirement for you, or whether a variety made with Rainforest Alliance cocoa would also be suitable. Then compare the exact packs for flavour, allergens and the quantity you need.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade label | Look for the label on the exact variety of chocolate sprinkles; don’t treat another cocoa certification as Fairtrade. | If Fairtrade is a must for my Christmas table, I want to see the label on the chocolate sprinkles themselves. This certification choice is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Flavour | Check whether you’re choosing dark or milk chocolate, and look at the ingredients for that variety. | When I serve guests rusks with chocolate sprinkles, I want to choose a flavour that suits the group. This is the biggest consideration for around 29% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Read both the ingredients and warnings such as ‘may contain milk’ on the current pack. | If I’m hosting guests with food allergies, I want to know what the chosen pack says about allergens. This is the first thing around 21% of consumers look out for when buying. |
| Quantity | Compare the net weight with the number of guests and how much you expect to use. | For a larger buffet, I want enough chocolate sprinkles without having lots left over. Around 14% of consumers prioritise the quantity they need. |
Common mistakes
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Confusing Rainforest Alliance with Fairtrade
The varieties reviewed don’t all carry the same certification label. Albert Heijn lists Fairtrade for Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur; De Ruijter, Jumbo and Kiekeboe list Rainforest Alliance cocoa for the varieties in question.
Check the certification on the exact pack you plan to serve.
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Assuming dark chocolate means dairy-free
‘Dark’ describes the type of chocolate, not its allergens. According to the manufacturer, Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur may contain milk; milk is also listed as an allergen for other dark varieties.
Before serving, read the ingredients and allergen warnings on the pack, and ask your guests what information they need.
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Assuming a larger pack has the same certification
A 600 g pack may be handy for a group, but the Rainforest Alliance cocoa listed for Kiekeboe does not prove Fairtrade certification.
Choose a quantity to suit your plans, and check the certification of your chosen variety separately.
If you buy too much, you may have chocolate sprinkles left over after the party.
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Assuming every pack of rusks contains iodine
A general note about baker’s salt doesn’t tell you which ingredients are in the rusks you’re buying for your Christmas party.
Check the ingredients list on the pack of rusks you choose.
Brands to consider
Fairtrade Original
A brand to consider when a clear Fairtrade label on the chocolate sprinkles is your top priority.
- Albert Heijn lists Fairtrade for Hagelslag Puur; Fairtrade Original gives the pack size as 380 g and says it contains at least 32% cocoa solids.
- Fairtrade Original says this variety may contain milk. Don’t assume it’s dairy-free when serving it.
Hagelswag
Hagelswag mentions Fairtrade cocoa on its own website. Check the information for the individual chocolate variety before choosing it for rusks.
- Hagelswag’s Fairtrade statement can be a useful starting point when comparing varieties.
- Check the product type, ingredients and allergens on the pack you choose; a statement about the brand doesn’t automatically apply to every variety.
De Ruijter
An alternative if Rainforest Alliance cocoa is suitable for you instead of a clear Fairtrade label.
- Albert Heijn lists Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa and at least 32% cocoa solids for De Ruijter Chocoladehagel Puur.
- Joybuy lists milk and soya as allergens for De Ruijter Chocoladehagelslag Puur in a 390 g pack. Check the allergens on the pack you buy.
Jumbo
A supermarket own-brand to compare if the details of dark chocolate sprinkles matter more to you than a Fairtrade label.
- Jumbo lists Rainforest Alliance cocoa and at least 50% cocoa solids for its 200 g pack of Chocolade Hagelslag Puur.
- According to Jumbo, this variety contains milk and may contain gluten and wheat. The Rainforest Alliance cocoa label is not a Fairtrade label.
Kiekeboe (ALDI)
Dark chocolate sprinkles in a larger pack for anyone comparing quantities for a group.
- ALDI lists Kiekeboe Hagelslag Puur as a 600 g pack made with Rainforest Alliance cocoa.
- Don’t treat that cocoa label as proof of Fairtrade certification; check the label on the variety you choose.
Related Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Are chocolate sprinkles made with Rainforest Alliance cocoa also Fairtrade?
No, that label on its own doesn’t prove that the chocolate sprinkles are Fairtrade-certified. If Fairtrade is a requirement, check that the exact variety is clearly labelled as Fairtrade; the De Ruijter, Jumbo and Kiekeboe varieties reviewed list Rainforest Alliance cocoa.
Can I serve Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur as dairy-free?
Don’t assume so: Fairtrade Original says these chocolate sprinkles may contain milk. Check the current label and, if a guest has a milk allergy, ask what product information they need.
What should I check if I buy chocolate sprinkles in advance for a Christmas party?
Check the best-before date and storage instructions on the pack you choose. Check the allergen information again when serving, especially if you’re offering different varieties.
Do rusks in the Netherlands always contain iodine-enriched baker’s salt?
Don’t assume that every pack of rusks has the same ingredients. If iodine-enriched baker’s salt matters to your choice, check the ingredients list for the specific product.