If Fairtrade comes first
If fair trading conditions are your main priority, look for the Fairtrade label on the pack you choose. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, organic production alone doesn’t guarantee fair trading conditions.
Who is this choice relevant to?
If you want dark chocolate sprinkles with your coffee
If you’re after a pronounced dark chocolate flavour, compare the dark variety with the milk version. Fairtrade Original describes its Hagelslag Puur as rich in flavour and also suggests using it in sprinkle cake.
If you’re choosing sprinkles for cake
If you’re adding sprinkles to or on top of a cake, the chocolate flavour you want matters. Albert Heijn describes Fairtrade Original Chocoladehagelslag Melk as creamy and sweet; this variety contains milk. Check the nutritional information on the pack you choose too.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start by checking the Fairtrade label on the exact variety. Then compare dark and milk chocolate by flavour, and check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information before using the sprinkles in a cake.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade label | Look for an explicit Fairtrade label on the pack of the specific variety you’ve chosen, not just on the brand. | For coffee and cake, I want to be able to see whether this particular pack contains Fairtrade chocolate sprinkles. Around 50% of consumers put this verifiable label first. |
| Flavour and use in cake | Compare dark and milk chocolate to find the flavour you want. Fairtrade Original describes its dark variety as rich, while Albert Heijn describes the milk version as creamy and sweet. | If I use sprinkles in or on a cake too, I want to choose a chocolate flavour that works well with it; around 30% of consumers prioritise this choice of flavour. |
| Label and packaging | Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for the exact variety, including sugars and fats per 100 g or per serving where listed. | When choosing a pack, I want to know what’s in it, especially if milk is a concern. For around 20% of consumers, this label information matters most. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking a brand name or organic label for Fairtrade
A brand’s credentials don’t automatically apply to every variety of chocolate sprinkles. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, organic production alone doesn’t guarantee fair trading conditions.
Check the Fairtrade label on the specific pack before comparing dark and milk chocolate by flavour.
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Using Fairtrade as a guide to nutritional value
Fairtrade is about trading conditions, not the amount of sugars or fats. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives figures of 9.1 g of sugars and 1.3 g of saturated fat for a 15 g serving of dark chocolate sprinkles; the composition of a specific product may differ.
Check the nutritional information and serving size separately from the Fairtrade label.
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Assuming dark chocolate sprinkles are dairy-free
Fairtrade Original states that its Hagelslag Puur may contain milk. The milk variety contains milk.
Read the allergen information on the current pack rather than relying on the words “dark” or “milk”.
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Assuming a previously listed variety is still available
Albert Heijn lists Fairtrade Original Chocoladehagelslag Melk as discontinued. This doesn’t tell you whether the variety is available from other retailers.
Before planning your shopping, check whether the exact Fairtrade variety is available from your chosen retailer.
Brands compared
A brand name doesn’t confirm that every variety of chocolate sprinkles is Fairtrade. Always check the label on the specific product.
Fairtrade Original
Offers 380 g of Hagelslag Puur and a milk chocolate sprinkles variety.
- Fairtrade Original states that its dark variety contains at least 32% cocoa solids and suggests using it in sprinkle cake. Albert Heijn states that the milk variety contains Fairtrade cocoa and sugar.
- The dark variety may contain milk; the milk variety contains milk. Albert Heijn lists its milk variety as discontinued, so check availability with your chosen retailer.
De Ruijter
A brand to compare for dark and milk chocolate sprinkles: Jumbo lists varieties of both, each weighing 390 g.
- The dark and milk labels make it easy to look for the type of chocolate you prefer within the range.
- If you want a Fairtrade option, don’t rely on the brand name; check the label on the specific pack.
Venz
A brand to compare, including Venz Melk Chocolade Hagelslag 400 g, as listed by Jumbo.
- The milk chocolate variety gives you a specific product to compare by pack size and label information.
- For a Fairtrade option, check the label on the exact variety; don’t assume it has a Fairtrade label based on the brand or type of chocolate.
Related products on Joybuy
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if chocolate sprinkles are Fairtrade?
Check whether the pack or current product information explicitly says that the variety you want to buy is Fairtrade. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre identifies Fairtrade as a label for fair trade; an organic label alone doesn’t confirm this.
Can I use dark Fairtrade chocolate sprinkles in a cake?
Yes. Fairtrade Original suggests using its Hagelslag Puur in sprinkle cake and publishes a cake recipe with chocolate sprinkles. For quantities and preparation, use a recipe designed for sprinkles; don’t replace cocoa or other chocolate with them on a one-to-one basis without adapting the recipe.
Are dark Fairtrade chocolate sprinkles dairy-free?
You can’t tell from the word “dark” alone: Fairtrade Original states that its Hagelslag Puur may contain milk, while the milk variety contains milk. Check the allergen information on the pack of the exact variety.
How should I store chocolate sprinkles after buying them?
Follow the storage instructions and best-before date on the pack you buy. For Fairtrade Original Chocoladehagelslag Melk, Albert Heijn says to store the product in a cool, dry place and that the best-before date is on the top of the pack.