Who is this choice relevant to?

If you’re looking for Fairtrade chocolate with your tea

You want a sweet topping, but cocoa and a Fairtrade label on the specific product are essential. Chocolate sprinkles are a different choice from crushed aniseed sprinkles.

If you want crushed aniseed sprinkles

You’re after that familiar aniseed flavour for something like crispbread with your tea. De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes fit the bill if you like aniseed, but not if you’re looking for Fairtrade chocolate.

If you check ingredients and allergens

You want to know what’s in the sprinkles before serving them. The De Ruijter variant we looked at contains wheat; Fairtrade Original says its Hagelslag Puur may contain milk. Always check the latest label.

What should you look for when choosing?

The first decision when choosing a topping to enjoy with tea is whether you want aniseed or chocolate. If both chocolate and Fairtrade matter to you, check the label on the chocolate product itself.

Crushed aniseed sprinkles

A good fit if: You’re looking for an aniseed topping for crispbread or something else to enjoy with your tea.

The trade-off: The De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes we looked at contain no cocoa, so they’re not a Fairtrade chocolate option.

Fairtrade chocolate sprinkles

A good fit if: Chocolate with a Fairtrade label is a must; Albert Heijn displays this label on Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur.

The trade-off: Chocolate sprinkles aren’t crushed aniseed sprinkles. Fairtrade Original says this variant contains at least 32% cocoa solids and may contain milk.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Fairtrade label Check the label on the specific chocolate product and read the packaging information if traceability matters to you. I want to serve chocolate with tea and be able to see that this particular product is labelled Fairtrade. This is the top priority for around 42% of consumers.
Flavour and type of product Choose between crushed aniseed sprinkles and chocolate sprinkles; they’re different types of topping. With crispbread and tea, I’m mainly looking for aniseed, or I specifically want the flavour of chocolate. This is the main consideration for around 33% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Read the latest label: the aniseed sprinkles we looked at contain wheat, and the chocolate sprinkles may contain milk. Also compare the nutritional information if the ingredients influence your choice. Before serving anything, I want to know which ingredients and allergens are listed on the pack. Around 25% of consumers give this the highest priority.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking crushed aniseed sprinkles for chocolate sprinkles

    Albert Heijn describes De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes as crushed, sugared aniseed seeds. The ingredients list Jumbo gives for the variant we looked at contains no cocoa. So they’re not a substitute for a Fairtrade chocolate product.

    First, decide which flavour and type of product you want. If Fairtrade chocolate is a must, look for a chocolate product with a Fairtrade label.

  • Assuming Fairtrade means complete physical separation

    According to Fairtrade Netherlands, mass balance is permitted for cocoa. A Fairtrade label therefore doesn’t automatically mean that the cocoa in the pack has remained physically separate throughout the supply chain.

    If physical traceability matters to you, read the information about the certification on the packaging.

  • Looking only at the certification label

    A Fairtrade label doesn’t tell you which allergens or nutritional values are relevant to your choice. The aniseed sprinkles we looked at contain wheat; Fairtrade Original says the chocolate sprinkles we looked at may contain milk.

    Check the ingredients and allergen information as well as the nutritional information on the pack you’re buying.

Brands and shops to consider

De Ruijter

The Gestampte Muisjes we looked at are a topping made from sugared aniseed seeds, often enjoyed on crispbread.

  • A good option if you’re specifically looking for crushed aniseed sprinkles.
  • The variant we looked at contains wheat and no cocoa, so it won’t meet a preference for Fairtrade chocolate.

Fairtrade Original

Hagelslag Puur 380 g is a chocolate sprinkle product that Albert Heijn labels as Fairtrade.

  • Fairtrade Original says this variant contains at least 32% cocoa solids.
  • It’s chocolate sprinkles, not aniseed sprinkles; according to the brand, the product may contain milk.

Albert Heijn

This retailer’s product information covers both De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes and Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur.

  • The individual product listings help you compare product types and labels.
  • Check the latest packaging if ingredients or allergens affect your choice.

Jumbo

This retailer’s product information lists the ingredients in De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes 270 g.

  • The ingredients list gives you a clear picture of what’s in the aniseed variant we looked at.
  • Always check the ingredients and allergen information on the latest pack before buying.

Related products at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes Fairtrade chocolate?

No, the De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes we looked at aren’t a chocolate product. Albert Heijn describes them as sugared aniseed seeds; the ingredients list Jumbo gives for this variant contains no cocoa. If you want Fairtrade chocolate, check for a Fairtrade label on the specific chocolate product.

Does Fairtrade cocoa mean it all stays physically separate?

Not necessarily. According to Fairtrade Netherlands, mass balance is permitted for cocoa, which means Fairtrade and non-Fairtrade cocoa may be mixed during processing. If physical traceability matters to you, read the information about the certification on the packaging.

Which allergens should I check in these two types of sprinkles?

Check the latest label on both products. The De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes we looked at contain wheat; Fairtrade Original says Hagelslag Puur may contain milk. Don’t rely on the product type or certification label alone.

How should I store Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur?

Albert Heijn says Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur should be stored in a dry place. Also follow the storage and use-by information on the pack you buy.