If you’re looking for less sugar, don’t choose chocolate sprinkles just because they’re labelled ‘dark’. Check what the product information says about the sugar content of the exact variety, and compare the sugars per 100 g. For a children’s treat, also check allergens and portion sizes, and find out what the school or after-school club allows. If chocolate sprinkles are tricky to hand out, a different small treat or a non-food classroom gift may be more practical.
You want to be able to judge whether a specific variety suits your needs. Compare sugars per 100 g, and don’t treat a label such as ‘dark’ as a substitute for that comparison. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority points out that a nutrition claim describes just one feature of a product, not its overall nutritional value.
You’re handing out treats to a group where not everyone can eat the same things. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends asking about allergies and other dietary restrictions in advance. Then check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the variety you’re actually buying.
You’re looking for a treat that can be given out in small portions and meets the school or after-school club’s rules. Chocolate sprinkles are generally sold as a bread topping or garnish, so think about how you’ll hand them out to each child before you buy them.
First, decide whether less sugar is a must-have. Then check that the treat you’ve chosen is suitable for the children in the group and can be handed out in the agreed way.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Less sugar | Check what the exact variety says about reduced sugar content, and compare sugars per 100 g. | If I’m looking for lower-sugar chocolate sprinkles, I want to judge that from the product information rather than relying on the word ‘dark’; around 44% of consumers say reducing sugar is a priority. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients and ‘may contain’ warning on the current packaging, and ask about dietary restrictions in the group beforehand. | When a group includes people with different allergies, I want to know what each child can have; for around 33% of consumers, suitability for the group is the top priority. |
| Portions and handing out | Check how you can hand out small, sealed portions, and what the school or after-school club allows. | For a treat that needs to be taken away straight away, I’m looking for something that’s easy to hand out to each child; around 23% of consumers prioritise portion size and ease of handing out. |
According to Jumbo’s product information, its dark chocolate sprinkles contain 63,7 g of sugars per 100 g. PLUS lists 63,8 g per 100 g for its dark chocolate sprinkles. The word ‘dark’ alone doesn’t indicate a lower sugar content.
Compare the nutritional information for the exact variety, rather than relying on its name or the front of the packaging.
PLUS labels its dark chocolate sprinkles as vegan, but also says the product may contain milk and lactose. A label about ingredients or origin therefore won’t answer every question about allergens.
Ask about relevant allergies, then check both the ingredients and the allergen warning on the packaging.
Chocolate sprinkles are a bread topping or garnish, not an individually wrapped treat. Making up portions yourself takes preparation, and means it’s important to keep the product information available when handing them out.
Before you buy, check whether you can make small, sealed portions that meet the school or after-school club’s rules. If not, consider a different small treat or a non-food classroom gift.
The nutritional values listed apply to specific varieties of chocolate sprinkles. Always check the packaging of any other variety you’re considering.
PLUS describes De Ruijter’s 200 g milk chocolate sprinkles as a sweet bread topping and garnish.
Jumbo describes its 300 g pack of dark chocolate sprinkles as containing 15 portions of 20 g each.
PLUS describes its 300 g pack of dark chocolate sprinkles as made with Fairtrade cocoa and labelled vegan.
PLUS describes its 200 g Choca sprinkles as cocoa-flavoured novelty sprinkles.
No, the word ‘dark’ alone doesn’t indicate a lower sugar content. Jumbo lists 63,7 g of sugars per 100 g for its dark chocolate sprinkles, while PLUS lists 63,8 g per 100 g for its dark variety. Compare the nutritional information for the product you’re considering.
Check what the current packaging or product page says about the exact variety, then compare sugars per 100 g and per stated portion. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses that a nutrition claim relates to one specific feature, so check the rest of the nutritional information too.
Yes, ask in advance whether there are any products the children can’t eat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends doing this for treats. Then check the packaging for ingredients, allergens and warnings such as ‘may contain’.
Not without some preparation: chocolate sprinkles are sold as a bread topping or garnish, so you’ll need to portion them out if you’re handing them out individually. Check whether you can make small, sealed portions and whether they meet the school or after-school club’s rules.
Ask in advance what rules the school or after-school club has for treats. Check the information for parents or get in touch before buying chocolate sprinkles or an alternative.
