Who is this choice for?

Organiser who requires Fairtrade

Wants to serve chocolate with a verifiable Fairtrade mark and is happy to forgo traditional muisjes. Albert Heijn displays the mark on Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur, which is chocolate sprinkles.

Planner of a celebratory office treat

Is mainly looking for the familiar colours and aniseed flavour of muisjes, perhaps to celebrate a new arrival. PLUS and Jumbo describe the De Ruijter varieties reviewed as products containing aniseed and sugar, not chocolate.

Organiser who needs to share allergen information

Wants to be able to say what’s being served and which allergens are listed on the packaging before handing it out. This needs extra care when sprinkles are taken out of their original packaging and put in a communal bowl.

What should you consider when choosing?

First decide whether you want to keep the traditional muisjes presentation or whether Fairtrade chocolate is the deciding factor. Then consider how you’ll keep the information about your chosen product available when serving it.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Fairtrade chocolate Check that the chosen chocolate product displays the Fairtrade mark and whether it’s chocolate sprinkles or muisjes. If the office asks for verifiably Fairtrade chocolate sprinkles, I don’t want to serve aniseed muisjes under that name. For around 45% of consumers, this product and certification choice is the top priority.
Allergens when serving Read the label for your chosen variety and keep the information available if you serve the sprinkles out of their packaging. When using a communal bowl, I want to be able to answer questions about allergens without having to guess which label applies. Around 33% of consumers say this is their top priority.
Traditional presentation Choose a variety and colour of muisjes to suit the occasion, and check the product name before ordering. For a celebration, I want the familiar aniseed-flavoured muisjes, even if they aren’t Fairtrade chocolate sprinkles. This presentation comes first for around 22% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Treating muisjes and chocolate sprinkles as the same product

    The De Ruijter muisjes described by PLUS and Jumbo contain aniseed and sugar. Calling them Fairtrade chocolate creates an expectation that doesn’t match these product descriptions.

    Choose muisjes for a traditional aniseed treat. If Fairtrade chocolate is a must, choose a chocolate product whose current packaging displays the relevant mark.

  • Removing the label when using a communal bowl

    Jumbo lists wheat starch in De Ruijter Muisjes Blauwe & Witte. The product information for Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur says it may contain milk. Without the packaging, it’s harder to find this information when serving.

    Keep the packaging with the treat or clearly display the information for the variety you’re serving next to the bowl.

Brands and retailer overview

De Ruijter and Fairtrade Original represent different types of product here. Albert Heijn is a retailer where you can look up the relevant product information, not a muisjes brand in its own right.

De Ruijter

A good choice for traditional muisjes, including blue and white varieties and festive options.

  • PLUS describes Feestmuisjes as aniseed coated in sugar; Albert Heijn lists De Ruijter muisjes varieties.
  • Don’t present the varieties described as Fairtrade chocolate. Jumbo lists wheat starch in Muisjes Blauwe & Witte.

Fairtrade Original

A good choice when Fairtrade chocolate sprinkles matter more than having muisjes.

  • Albert Heijn displays the Fairtrade mark on Hagelslag Puur; Jumbo states that this chocolate sprinkle product contains at least 32% cocoa solids.
  • Hagelslag Puur isn’t muisjes. Before serving, check the current allergen information, including the statement that it may contain milk.

Albert Heijn

A retailer providing product information for both De Ruijter muisjes and Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur.

  • The product information helps you check the difference between the muisjes and chocolate options.
  • Check the ingredients and allergens again on the packaging of the product you’re actually serving, as product information can change.

Joybuy products to suit your choice

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can I serve De Ruijter muisjes as Fairtrade chocolate?

Not based on the De Ruijter varieties described here. PLUS describes Feestmuisjes as aniseed coated in sugar, while Jumbo lists sugar, aniseed and wheat starch, among other ingredients, for Muisjes Blauwe & Witte. Check any Fairtrade or chocolate claim separately on the packaging of the variety you choose.

What can I choose if Fairtrade chocolate matters more than muisjes?

Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur is a chocolate topping worth considering: Albert Heijn displays the Fairtrade mark, and Jumbo states that it contains at least 32% cocoa solids. It’s still chocolate sprinkles, without the aniseed flavour and traditional shape of muisjes.

How can I keep allergen information available when serving an office treat?

Keep the label or information for the product actually being served with the treat, especially if you’ve taken the sprinkles out of their packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that businesses offering food to consumers must inform them about any allergens present. For food served without pre-packaging, this information can, subject to certain conditions, be provided in writing or verbally.

Which allergens should I look out for in these products?

Jumbo lists wheat starch in De Ruijter Muisjes Blauwe & Witte; the product information for Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur says it may contain milk. Always read the packaging for your chosen variety before serving, as product information can change.