Who is this choice relevant to?

Hosts who put Fairtrade first

They want to see an explicit Fairtrade statement on the pack they choose, as well as a flavour and quantity to suit their guests.

Groups with different flavour preferences

They want a choice of dark, white and milk chocolate, or to serve a mix with a clearly stated composition.

Shoppers who need to check ingredients

They check the ingredients, allergens and any may-contain warnings before serving. A certification or vegan label does not replace these checks.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by checking for a Fairtrade statement on the specific variant. Then decide which flavour and quantity you want to serve, and check the ingredient information for your guests.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Fairtrade statement Look for Fairtrade or Fairtrade Cacao on the packaging or product page for the exact variant you have chosen. I want to be sure that the chocolate sprinkles I choose for my get-together carry an explicit Fairtrade statement. This assurance comes first for around 33% of consumers.
Flavour and serving style Check whether dark, milk or a dark and white mix suits what you want to serve; according to PLUS, its Hagelmix contains 50% dark and 50% white chocolate sprinkles. My guests don’t all have the same flavour preferences, so I want to put a suitable option or mix on the table. Around 20% of consumers give this choice top priority.
Ingredients and nutritional information Check the allergen information on each pack, including warnings about possible traces. If you wish, compare the nutritional information per 100 g. If a guest needs to avoid milk, I don’t want to rely on a vegan label alone. Ingredients and warnings are the main concern for around 20% of consumers.
Quantity Choose a pack size to suit the number of guests and how you plan to serve it; the Fairtrade variants discussed come in 380 g, 400 g or 600 g packs. I want to have enough chocolate sprinkles ready without choosing a pack that doesn’t suit my get-together. Quantity matters most to around 27% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming every sustainability certification means Fairtrade

    Albert Heijn states that AH Hagelslag Puur contains Rainforest Alliance cocoa; ALDI makes the same claim for Kiekeboe Hagelslag Puur. This is not the same product claim as Fairtrade or Fairtrade Cacao.

    If Fairtrade is a requirement for you, look for an explicit Fairtrade statement on the variant you are actually buying.

  • Confusing vegan with free from traces of milk

    PLUS describes its Hagelmix as Fairtrade and vegan, but also warns that the mix may contain milk and lactose. This warning still matters if you are serving guests with an allergy.

    Check the latest ingredient and allergen information on the pack, even if it says vegan.

  • Choosing only by flavour, not pack size

    The Fairtrade variants discussed come in 380 g, 400 g or 600 g packs. Choosing a flavour alone won’t tell you how much you need for your guests.

    Decide in advance how you plan to serve the chocolate sprinkles, then choose a suitable pack size.

    A small pack may mean an extra shopping trip just before your get-together, while you could be left with chocolate sprinkles after the event if you buy a large pack.

  • Assuming Fairtrade tells you about nutritional value

    A Fairtrade statement doesn’t tell you how much sugar or fat the chocolate sprinkles contain. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that chocolate sprinkles generally contain a lot of sugar, saturated fat and calories.

    Assess the sourcing claim and nutritional information separately; check the label for your chosen variant, per 100 g or per serving.

Brands to consider

Fairtrade Original

Fairtrade Original and Albert Heijn both label the 380 g Hagelslag Puur as Fairtrade.

  • Fairtrade Original states that this dark variant contains at least 32% cocoa solids.
  • According to the product information, this variant may contain milk.

PLUS

PLUS states that its 600 g Hagelmix and 400 g Chocoladehagelslag melk contain Fairtrade Cacao.

  • According to PLUS, Hagelmix consists of 50% dark chocolate sprinkles and 50% white chocolate sprinkles.
  • The mix, which is labelled vegan, may contain milk and lactose; the milk chocolate variant contains milk and lactose.

Delicata

Albert Heijn states that the 200 g Delicata Chocoladehagelslag Puur contains Fairtrade-certified cocoa.

  • This variant is stated to contain at least 43% cocoa solids.
  • The product information lists milk and lactose; check the label before serving this variant to guests who avoid these ingredients.

Kiekeboe

ALDI states that its 600 g Kiekeboe Hagelslag Puur contains Rainforest Alliance cocoa.

  • The 600 g pack can be a useful guide to quantity for a group.
  • The Rainforest Alliance claim mentioned is not an explicit Fairtrade statement for this variant.

Joybuy products

Related products will be added soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I identify Fairtrade chocolate sprinkles?

Look for Fairtrade or Fairtrade Cacao on the latest packaging or product page for the variant you have chosen. Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur and the PLUS variants discussed carry this statement; Rainforest Alliance cocoa in other variants does not automatically mean they are Fairtrade.

Which chocolate sprinkles offer variety for a group?

According to PLUS, PLUS Hagelmix Fairtrade combines 50% dark chocolate sprinkles with 50% white chocolate sprinkles in a 600 g pack. Before serving, check whether the warning that the mix may contain milk and lactose is suitable for your guests.

Can I serve Fairtrade chocolate sprinkles to someone who needs to avoid milk?

You can’t tell from the Fairtrade statement alone. Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur may contain milk, PLUS Hagelmix may contain milk and lactose, and PLUS Chocoladehagelslag melk contains milk and lactose. Check the latest ingredient and allergen information on the pack you have chosen.

How should I store chocolate sprinkles until my Friday afternoon get-together?

Follow the storage instructions and best-before date on the pack you have chosen. Fairtrade Original recommends keeping its dark chocolate sprinkles in a cool, dry place; for the PLUS variants discussed, the advice is to store them in a cool, dry, dark place.

Does Fairtrade tell you about the nutritional value of chocolate sprinkles?

No, a Fairtrade statement doesn’t indicate nutritional value. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that chocolate sprinkles generally contain a lot of sugar, saturated fat and calories. Check the nutritional information on the label for the product you have chosen.