Caterers responsible for allergen information
If they’re serving unpackaged rusks, chocolate sprinkles or chocolate, they must be able to tell guests which allergens are present before they choose.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Breakfast or coffee-break organisers
They decide whether guests adding their own toppings to rusks suits the occasion, and plan the portions and how the chocolate sprinkles will be served.
Organisers looking to give a thank-you gift
For them, the key question is whether the chocolate can be handed over as a gift in its own right. Sprinkling chocolate on rusks doesn’t automatically serve that purpose.
What should you consider when choosing?
First decide whether the chocolate will be served during a break or given as a thank-you gift. Then check the allergens for each product, along with its packaging and portion sizes for the way you plan to serve it.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens and serving | Check the label of each variety. If serving unpackaged food, make sure guests can get allergen information before they choose. | If I’m offering unpackaged products, I want to be able to tell guests about allergens in good time. This information is a top priority when choosing for around 42% of consumers. |
| Served during a break or given as a gift | Check whether the rusks and chocolate sprinkles will be served together. For a chocolate gift, check the contents and gift packaging. | For a break, I want something I can serve; for a thank-you, I’m looking for something to hand over. This product purpose is a top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Portion size and nutritional value | Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per planned portion. Decide how much chocolate sprinkle or chocolate to offer each guest. | When planning portions, I want to know how much I’m handing out and what its nutritional value is. This is a top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Buying chocolate sprinkles when you’re looking for a gift
Chocolate sprinkles are a topping that needs rusks, bread or another base. That’s a different way of serving chocolate from handing over a box of chocolates.
Before buying, decide whether it’s for something to eat during a break or a thank-you gift. For a gift, check the contents, allergens and packaging of the chocolate you’ve chosen.
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Assuming dark chocolate sprinkles don’t contain milk
According to Jumbo’s product information, Jumbo Chocolade Hagel XXL Puur may contain milk. Venz Puur Chocolade Hagelslag lists milk and soya, and may contain lactose.
Check the current label for the exact variety to find out about allergens. Don’t rely on the word ‘dark’ alone.
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Keeping allergen information out of guests’ reach
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that providers of unpackaged food must inform customers about 14 allergens.
Make sure guests can get this information where the food is served, before they choose, and that staff have the details for the products being used to hand.
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Assuming a reduced-sugar claim means a product is suitable for everyone
According to Albert Heijn, AH Hagelslag melk minder suiker contains 30% less sugar than AH Melk hagelslag. This comparison says nothing about other brands or the product’s allergens.
Check the label on the exact pack, including nutritional information per 100 g, portion size and allergens.
Relevant brands to consider
De Ruijter
De Ruijter offers, among other products, Hagelslag Melk in a 390 g pack, intended as a bread topping or garnish.
- Jumbo’s product information states that this variety contains at least 20% cocoa solids.
- The ingredients information lists milk, soya and lactose. Check the label on the exact pack before buying.
Venz
Venz offers, among other products, Puur Chocolade Hagelslag in a 400 g pack.
- Jumbo’s product information states that this variety contains at least 32% cocoa solids.
- Despite being labelled ‘dark’, this variety lists milk and soya; it may also contain lactose.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers, among other products, AH Hagelslag melk minder suiker in a 250 g pack.
- According to Albert Heijn, this variety contains 30% less sugar than AH Melk hagelslag; its stated nutritional value is 43 g of sugars per 100 g.
- This comparison applies to the AH variety named above. The product contains milk and lactose.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers, among other products, milk chocolate sprinkles and Chocolade Hagel XXL Puur, both in 380 g packs.
- According to Jumbo, the milk variety named above contains 68.0 g of sugars per 100 g, which you can use to calculate the nutritional value per planned portion.
- The milk variety contains milk, while the dark XXL variety may contain milk. Both are chocolate sprinkles, not a box of chocolates.
Chocolate options at Joybuy
These pralines and chocolate assortments could work as a chocolate thank-you gift or for sharing during a break. Before buying, check how many individual portions you need and whether the packaging suits the way you plan to offer the chocolate.
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Milka Thank You Pralines Milk Cream, 110 g
An option to consider as a chocolate thank-you gift. Check whether the packaging and number of pralines are suitable for handing out individually.
110 g pack. According to the product information, it contains milk, soya and hazelnuts. Check the label on the exact pack.
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Merci Petits Chocolate Collection, 125 g
A chocolate assortment to consider as a small thank-you gift. If you’re handing them out individually, check the number of pieces and whether each one is individually wrapped.
125 g pack. The product information lists milk, almonds, hazelnuts, soya and gluten-containing cereals, including wheat; it may also contain peanuts. Check the current label.
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Milka Chocolate Assortment Party Pack, 143 g
A chocolate assortment to share during a break. If you’re looking for individual thank-you gifts, check the number of portions and how the chocolates are presented in the packaging.
143 g pack. The product information lists milk, almonds, hazelnuts, soya and gluten-containing cereals, including wheat; check the current label before serving.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to provide allergen information when serving unpackaged rusks with chocolate sprinkles?
Yes. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that providers of unpackaged food must inform customers about 14 allergens. Make sure guests can get information about the rusks and chocolate sprinkles being served before they choose.
Can I offer dark chocolate sprinkles to guests who avoid milk?
Don’t assume so based on the word ‘dark’. According to Jumbo’s product information, Jumbo Chocolade Hagel XXL Puur may contain milk; Venz Puur Chocolade Hagelslag lists milk and soya, and may contain lactose. Always check the label on the exact variety.
Can rusks with chocolate sprinkles replace a box of chocolates as a conference thank-you gift?
Not if you want to hand over a ready-made chocolate gift. Chocolate sprinkles are a topping, and rusks are a separate base; together, they’re better suited to breakfast or a break. For a thank-you gift, check the contents, allergens and packaging of a specific chocolate product.