Who is this choice relevant to?

Stallholders looking to use Fairtrade chocolate

You’re looking for a chocolate product with a Fairtrade mark, and are happy for chocolate sprinkles to replace the aniseed flavour of crushed aniseed sprinkles.

Stallholders who want to keep the aniseed flavour

You want to use crushed aniseed sprinkles as a distinctive aniseed topping, without describing them as a chocolate product.

Stallholders organising allergen information

You sell oliebollen with a loose topping and want to know which allergens you need to be able to tell customers about before they buy.

What should you consider when choosing?

Crushed aniseed sprinkles

Choose these: if the aniseed flavour and character of the sprinkles matter more to you than a Fairtrade chocolate finish.

The trade-off: According to the ingredients information from Albert Heijn, De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes are an aniseed topping, not a chocolate product.

Fairtrade chocolate sprinkles

Choose these: if a chocolate product with a Fairtrade mark is your priority, and swapping aniseed for chocolate suits your offering.

The trade-off: Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur is a different type of product. Try it for yourself to see whether it suits the way you finish your oliebollen.

When choosing a topping for your oliebollen stall, you can weigh up three key priorities: Fairtrade chocolate, keeping the aniseed flavour and providing allergen information when selling loose products.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Fairtrade chocolate Check the Fairtrade mark and the information on the chocolate product’s current packaging. Albert Heijn states that Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur contains at least 32% cocoa solids. I want to use chocolate with a recognisable Fairtrade mark, even if that means losing the aniseed flavour. For around 45% of consumers choosing a topping for a stall, Fairtrade chocolate comes first.
Aniseed flavour Compare the ingredients in the aniseed sprinkles with those in chocolate sprinkles. Albert Heijn lists sugar and aniseed in De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes. I want to keep the aniseed flavour in my offering, even if that means not choosing a chocolate finish. Around 36% of consumers prioritise keeping this flavour.
Allergen information Use the current packaging to record allergens for each topping, and make this information available before purchase. Jumbo lists wheat for De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes; Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur may contain milk. When selling loose products, I want to be able to clearly tell customers which allergens their topping contains. For around 19% of consumers, this information is their top priority.

Common mistakes

  • Calling crushed aniseed sprinkles chocolate

    Albert Heijn lists aniseed, but no cocoa, in the ingredients for De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes. So, based on this product information, they shouldn’t be described as Fairtrade chocolate.

    Call the product crushed aniseed sprinkles or an aniseed topping. If you want to offer chocolate with a Fairtrade mark, choose a separate product whose current packaging displays that mark.

  • Assuming a Fairtrade mark means the ingredients are physically segregated

    Fairtrade Netherlands allows mass balance for cocoa. So, a Fairtrade mark alone doesn’t mean that the cocoa in a particular pack has remained physically segregated throughout the supply chain.

    Read the explanation of the mark, and describe the sourcing method only as it is stated for the product you’ve chosen.

  • Forgetting about allergens in the topping

    Jumbo lists wheat for De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes, while Fairtrade Original says its Hagelslag Puur may contain milk. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) requires customers to be informed about allergens present in loose foods.

    Keep the latest information for each topping up to date, and make sure customers can access it before they buy. Make it clear when they can ask for allergen information in person.

Brands to consider

De Ruijter

De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes are worth considering if you’re looking for an aniseed topping.

  • Albert Heijn lists sugar and aniseed in the ingredients for Gestampte Muisjes.
  • This isn’t chocolate sprinkles. Jumbo lists wheat as an allergen for the crushed aniseed sprinkles; check the current packaging before using them at your stall.

Fairtrade Original

Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur is a chocolate option if a Fairtrade mark is your main requirement.

  • The product carries a Fairtrade mark; Albert Heijn states that it contains at least 32% cocoa solids.
  • Chocolate sprinkles won’t replace the aniseed flavour of crushed aniseed sprinkles. Fairtrade Original says its Hagelslag Puur may contain milk. You should also decide for yourself whether it’s suitable for topping oliebollen.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can I sell De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes as Fairtrade chocolate?

Not based on the listed ingredients: Albert Heijn lists sugar and aniseed in De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes, but no cocoa. Only describe a product as Fairtrade chocolate if it is a suitable chocolate product and its current packaging carries the relevant mark.

What does the Fairtrade mark on chocolate sprinkles tell me?

The mark applies to the specific product. Also read the packaging information about its Fairtrade ingredients and sourcing method. Fairtrade Netherlands says that mass balance may be used for cocoa, so don’t assume it has been fully physically segregated unless the product information confirms this.

Do I need to provide allergen information for oliebollen with a loose topping?

Yes. The NVWA says you must inform customers about allergens present in the foods you offer. For loose products, you can provide this information in writing or verbally. If you provide it verbally, make sure customers know they can ask for it.

When does an oliebollen stall need a HACCP food safety plan?

According to the NVWA, you need a HACCP food safety plan if you prepare and sell food several times a year. This also applies to the type of stall-based selling mentioned here, at markets and events.