For adults looking for a pronounced cocoa flavour, De Ruijter Specials Intense Pure, with at least 52% cocoa solids, is a different option from the regular pure varieties from De Ruijter and Venz we looked at, which contain at least 32%. For a children’s party treat, follow the school or after-school club’s rules and check the allergens in both the rusk and the topping first. A higher cocoa percentage doesn’t tell you whether children will enjoy the taste.
Parents and carers who first check what the school or after-school club allows, and whether anyone in the group has allergies or dietary requirements. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends asking about allergies when providing a party treat.
Organisers who are also making a treat for parents or carers to enjoy, and are considering a variety with a higher stated cocoa content. Albert Heijn’s product information states that De Ruijter Specials Intense Pure contains at least 52% cocoa solids.
If you’re topping several small rusks and are considering regular pure chocolate sprinkles rather than a variety specifically positioned as intense, compare the pack size with the number of portions you’re planning.
First, check which treats are allowed and who they need to be suitable for. Then compare the cocoa content, nutritional information and pack size.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| School rules and allergens | Ask about the school’s party treat policy and check the current ingredients and allergen information for both the rusks and the topping. | If a child needs to avoid certain ingredients, I don’t want to find out the treat isn’t suitable when it’s time to hand them out. That’s why school rules and allergens come first for around 36% of consumers. |
| Cocoa content and flavour | Compare the stated minimum percentage of cocoa solids; don’t assume you’ll prefer the flavour just because the packaging says ‘pure’ or ‘intense’. | When adults will be joining in, I want to know whether there’s an option with a clearly higher stated cocoa content. For around 29% of consumers, this flavour choice is the top priority. |
| Sugars, sweeteners and portions | Compare sugars per 100 g, read any warnings about polyols and decide how much topping to put on each rusk. | For small individual portions, I want to compare the nutritional information without assuming that lower sugars mean I can hand out unlimited portions. That’s the main consideration for around 21% of consumers. |
| How much you’ll need | Count the rusks and compare the pack size with the amount of topping you plan to use. | If I’m making lots of rusks, I want enough topping without having loads left over. This matters most to around 14% of consumers. |
The products we looked at vary. According to Jumbo’s product information, the regular pure varieties from De Ruijter and Venz contain milk and soya. Albert Heijn describes its own-brand pure chocolate sprinkles as gluten-free, but lists milk and lactose.
Just before buying, check the allergen information for both the sprinkles or flakes you’ve chosen and the rusks, and make sure the treat is suitable for the group.
De Ruijter Specials Intense Pure is listed by Albert Heijn as containing at least 52% cocoa solids. This makes it easy to compare its cocoa content with the regular varieties we looked at, which contain at least 32%, but it doesn’t tell you what flavours the children will prefer.
Choose a variety positioned as intense for people who specifically want that flavour. If the group has mixed tastes, check what’s suitable first.
Jumbo lists Céréal Pure Chocolate Sprinkles as containing 7.7 g of sugars and 40 g of polyols per 100 g, with a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
As well as the nutritional information, read the warnings and allergen details on the pack, and keep portions small.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, schools can set rules about what children may bring in as a party treat, or choose to celebrate without edible treats.
Check the rules before preparing the rusks, toppings and party bags.
The product information we looked at distinguishes between regular Hagelslag Puur and Specials Intense Pure.
Jumbo lists Venz Pure Chocolate Sprinkles in a 400 g pack.
The own-brand variety we looked at, AH Hagelslag puur, comes in a 600 g pack.
Jumbo lists its own-brand pure chocolate sprinkles in several pack sizes, including a 600 g variety.
These products include pure chocolate sprinkles positioned as intense, regular pure chocolate sprinkles and pure chocolate flakes. Flakes are a different type of topping from sprinkles, so choose the form you want to use on your rusks and check each pack to make sure it’s suitable for the group.
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A smaller pack for anyone considering pure chocolate sprinkles positioned as intense, perhaps for a small group of adults joining in.
Pack size: 200 g. Compare the current label with any preferences around cocoa and allergens; also check the rusks and the school or after-school club’s rules.
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Regular pure chocolate sprinkles to consider if you’re topping several small rusks without needing a variety specifically positioned as intense.
Pack size: 390 g. Check the current allergen information for the sprinkles and the rusks before putting together treats for the group.
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Pure chocolate flakes for anyone who wants to use flakes rather than sprinkles on their rusks.
Pack size: 300 g. Check the current labels for both the flakes and the rusks to make sure they’re suitable for the group, including any allergen information.
Yes. Check the rules for the group before preparing an edible treat. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, schools can decide what may and may not be brought in as a party treat, or choose to celebrate without edible treats.
No. ‘Pure’ doesn’t automatically tell you which allergens a product contains. Albert Heijn describes the AH Hagelslag puur we looked at as gluten-free, while the pure varieties from De Ruijter and Venz we looked at at Jumbo contain milk and soya. Always check the pack you choose and the rusks too.
No. A higher stated cocoa content doesn’t tell you which flavours children will prefer. Albert Heijn lists De Ruijter Specials Intense Pure as containing at least 52% cocoa solids. Choose it if the people you’re making the treat for specifically want a pure chocolate flavour positioned as intense.
As well as the amount of sugars per 100 g, read the ingredients, allergen information and usage warnings. Jumbo lists Céréal Pure Chocolate Sprinkles as containing 40 g of polyols per 100 g, with a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
No. Don’t assume every pack has the same ingredients. In 2024, the RIVM reported that the use of iodised salt in bakery products is encouraged through an agreement. Check the ingredients and product information for the rusks you’re actually buying.
