Travellers looking for Fairtrade cocoa
You want to be able to check the Fairtrade mark on the product you choose. Chocolate sprinkles are only an option if they can replace muisjes for your occasion.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Organisers of a birth celebration or special occasion
You’re looking for the colour, aniseed flavour and presentation of muisjes. A Fairtrade mark on chocolate sprinkles doesn’t make them muisjes.
Departing travellers who want to shop at Schiphol
You want to pick up a pack before your flight. Schiphol lists an Albert Heijn store before security; check in-store to see whether your chosen product is available.
What should you consider when choosing?
First decide whether you need aniseed muisjes or whether chocolate sprinkles would also work. Then consider the certification mark, product type and what you can actually buy in-store before your flight.
Traditional muisjes
Choose these: if aniseed flavour, colour and the familiar presentation are your priorities.
The trade-off: the blue and white muisjes and celebration muisjes by De Ruijter, as described by Albert Heijn, are aniseed products. Don’t assume these varieties have a Fairtrade cocoa mark.
Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur
Choose this: if a chocolate product with a Fairtrade mark matters more to you than muisjes.
The trade-off: Albert Heijn describes this as chocolate sprinkles, not aniseed muisjes; the product may contain milk.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade mark | Check the mark on the specific pack and make sure you’re holding muisjes or chocolate sprinkles, as intended. | If I mainly want to serve Fairtrade cocoa, chocolate sprinkles can replace muisjes. For around 42% of consumers, this mark would be their top priority. |
| Traditional presentation | Choose the colour you want and check that the packaging says muisjes. | For a birth celebration or special occasion, I want to use the familiar aniseed-flavoured muisjes. This traditional product type would be the priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Buying before your flight | Check in-store availability and read the allergen information on the physical pack. | If I’m only buying at Schiphol, I need to make do with the products available and be able to read the label. For around 25% of consumers, this practical check would matter most. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking muisjes for Fairtrade chocolate
Albert Heijn describes De Ruijter blue and white muisjes and celebration muisjes as sugar-coated aniseed seeds. A Fairtrade mark on chocolate sprinkles tells you nothing about those muisjes.
First check what type of product it is, then look for the mark on that exact pack.
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Mistaking an online product page for in-store availability
Schiphol lists Albert Heijn stores before security. That doesn’t mean a product in Albert Heijn’s online catalogue will also be available in an airport shop.
Check the shelf before paying, and decide in advance whether a different type of product would work for your occasion.
If you’re short on time before your flight, looking for an alternative could take longer.
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Relying on allergen information from an old product page
Albert Heijn’s product information lists wheat starch in De Ruijter blue and white muisjes. Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur may contain milk.
When you buy, read the label on the pack you’re actually taking with you, especially if you need to avoid an ingredient or allergen.
Relevant brands and shops
De Ruijter
A good option if you’re looking for traditional muisjes for bread, crispbakes or decoration.
- Albert Heijn describes the blue and white variety and celebration muisjes as products containing aniseed.
- Don’t assume a Fairtrade mark from the product name; check the specific pack you choose.
Fairtrade Original
A relevant choice if plain chocolate sprinkles would work as an alternative to muisjes for your occasion.
- Albert Heijn lists the Fairtrade mark and at least 32% cocoa solids for Hagelslag Puur.
- It’s chocolate sprinkles, not aniseed muisjes; according to the product information, it may contain milk.
Albert Heijn
A shop to check if you’re buying at Schiphol before security.
- Schiphol lists an Albert Heijn at Plaza; Albert Heijn’s online catalogue features both muisjes and Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur.
- Check the range and packaging at the specific shop before counting on a particular product.
Jumbo
A shop where you can compare product types if you’re buying somewhere other than Schiphol.
- Jumbo’s online categories show De Ruijter muisjes and, separately, Fairtrade Original Chocoladehagelslag Puur.
- These categories don’t make chocolate sprinkles muisjes, nor do they tell you anything about buying at Schiphol.
Muisjes for a traditional presentation
These Joybuy products come in two colours of muisjes and are for anyone looking for a traditional presentation. If you want to buy at Schiphol, check the range there separately. For a Fairtrade chocolate alternative, you’ll need a different type of product.
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De Ruijter blue and white muisjes 330 g
For a birth celebration or special occasion where you want to use blue and white muisjes.
330 g pack. Albert Heijn’s ingredient information for this variety lists sugar, aniseed and wheat starch; if you have a wheat allergy, check the current label.
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De Ruijter pink muisjes 330 g
For a birth celebration or special occasion where you want to use pink muisjes.
330 g pack. Check the ingredients, allergens and any certification marks relevant to your choice on the physical pack.
Frequently asked questions
Are De Ruijter muisjes chocolate?
The blue and white muisjes and celebration muisjes described by Albert Heijn are sugar-coated aniseed seeds; cocoa isn’t listed in the ingredients. So you can’t assume these muisjes have a Fairtrade mark for chocolate based on their product names.
What can I choose if I want Fairtrade cocoa but don’t need muisjes?
Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur is a chocolate alternative: Albert Heijn lists the Fairtrade mark and at least 32% cocoa solids. It isn’t a muisjes product and may contain milk, so check the label when you buy it.
Can I take a pack of muisjes or chocolate sprinkles in my hand luggage?
A pack isn’t automatically prohibited in hand luggage, but check the rules for your flight and destination. Schiphol refers to its list of dangerous and prohibited items; according to the European Union, hand luggage allowances and dimensions vary by airline. Also check any import rules that apply at your destination.