If you want traditional mice-shaped sprinkles
For you, the familiar mice shape is part of St Nicholas’ Eve. If Fairtrade matters to you too, the certification mark must apply to the specific product; a brand name or shop category isn’t enough.
Who is this choice relevant for?
If Fairtrade cocoa comes first
You might be happy to forgo the mice shape if a chocolate product with a verifiable Fairtrade mark better suits your priorities. Just describe chocolate sprinkles as an alternative, not as a type of mice-shaped sprinkles.
If you’re buying for guests with allergies
When buying for several guests, check the information on the packaging of the product you’ll actually be serving. Read the ingredients, highlighted allergens and any warnings for that specific product.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you need traditional mice-shaped sprinkles, want a chocolate alternative to sprinkle, or are looking for a chocolate treat. Then check the certification mark and label on the product you choose.
Traditional mice-shaped sprinkles
A good choice if: the mice shape and aniseed flavour are top priorities for your St Nicholas’ Eve.
Keep in mind: a product should only be described as Fairtrade-certified if this can be verified for that particular variant.
Chocolate sprinkles
A good choice if: you want something to sprinkle and Fairtrade cocoa matters more to you than the mice shape.
Keep in mind: Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur is chocolate sprinkles, not mice-shaped sprinkles; the product information says it may contain milk.
Chocolate treat
A good choice if: you want to share or give chocolate as a gift, rather than sprinkle something over food.
Keep in mind: a chocolate bar isn’t used in the same way as mice-shaped sprinkles or chocolate sprinkles; check the certification mark on the bar you choose separately.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade mark | Check the mark on the specific product. If it has a logo with an arrow, Fairtrade International advises you to read the explanation on the back too. | If Fairtrade is my priority, I want to see what the mark applies to on the product I’m buying. For around 46% of consumers, this check matters most. |
| Shape and use | Decide whether you want traditional mice-shaped sprinkles, chocolate sprinkles or chocolate to share. | For me, mice-shaped sprinkles are part of the occasion; a bar or chocolate sprinkles don’t serve the same purpose. Around 36% of consumers prioritise a product in the right form. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients list, highlighted allergens and warnings such as ‘may contain milk’. | If I’m buying for someone with an allergy, I need to be able to check the label on this specific pack. This is the top priority for around 18% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a product is Fairtrade based on the brand or search results
Albert Heijn and Jumbo list De Ruijter mice-shaped sprinkles online, but appearing in a category for these products doesn’t tell you whether an individual variant carries a certification mark.
Only make a Fairtrade claim if the packaging or other product-specific information shows the relevant certification mark.
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Calling chocolate sprinkles mice-shaped sprinkles
A chocolate alternative you can sprinkle may suit you if you prioritise Fairtrade cocoa, but it doesn’t have the same shape or flavour as traditional mice-shaped sprinkles.
First decide which type of product you want for St Nicholas’ Eve. If you’re choosing chocolate sprinkles instead of mice-shaped sprinkles, present them as an alternative.
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Relying on a label you checked previously
If you’re buying for someone with an allergy, check the information for the product you actually buy. For example, Fairtrade Original says that Hagelslag Puur may contain milk.
Before buying and serving, check the ingredients list, highlighted allergens and warnings on the current packaging.
Brands to consider
De Ruijter
Albert Heijn and Jumbo list a range of De Ruijter mice-shaped sprinkles online. The brand is worth considering if this is the specific type of product you’re looking for.
- The categories shown include several variants of mice-shaped sprinkles.
- Check the relevant certification mark on each pack before describing a variant as Fairtrade-certified.
Fairtrade Original
A brand to consider if you’re choosing chocolate sprinkles rather than mice-shaped sprinkles.
- Fairtrade Original says all its products carry the Fairtrade mark. It describes Hagelslag Puur as 380 g of dark chocolate sprinkles with at least 32% cocoa solids.
- Hagelslag Puur isn’t mice-shaped sprinkles; according to the product information, it may contain milk.
Tony's Chocolonely
Worth considering if you’re looking for a chocolate treat or gift, rather than something to sprinkle.
- Tony's Chocolonely describes a partnership with Fairtrade on a reference price designed to provide cocoa farmers with a living income.
- That brand message doesn’t replace checking the certification mark, ingredients and allergens on the bar you choose.
Related products on Joybuy
Related products will appear here soon.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check the Fairtrade mark on a chocolate product?
Check the mark on the product you want to buy. For a logo with an arrow, Fairtrade International advises you to read the information on the back to see which ingredients and sourcing practices the mark covers.
Does a Fairtrade mark always apply to the whole chocolate product?
No, it depends on the type of mark. Milieu Centraal explains that a Fairtrade logo on a white background may refer to a certified ingredient rather than the whole product, so check the information on the packaging.
Should I check allergens again if I’ve bought the same variant before?
Yes, read the packaging of the product you’re buying now. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens must be clearly identifiable on the label. Also look out for warnings, such as the possible presence of milk in Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur.