Parents planning a school treat
You want to know whether food can be handed out and what rules apply to the class. According to Parents & Education and the Association for Public Education, schools can have different rules about treats.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Parents preparing portions for treat bags
You’re comparing individually portioned chocolate sprinkles with a larger pack that you can divide up at home. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, De Ruijter Kleintjes contains eight portions; with a larger pack, you’ll need to measure and package the portions yourself.
Parents considering sourdough bread
You’re choosing sourdough for its flavour or texture, but you’ll need to ask the baker about the ingredients and allergens in that specific loaf. The name ‘sourdough’ doesn’t provide that information.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the school’s rules and the ingredients in both the rusks or bread and the chocolate sprinkles. Then compare how many portions you need and how much work it will take to package them.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| School rules and allergens | Ask whether edible and sweet treats are allowed. Read the current labels, and ask the baker for allergen information if you’re buying unpackaged bread. | If there’s a food allergy in the class, I want to know before packing whether my choice fits the rules and is suitable for the children concerned. This check is the top priority for around 40% of consumers. |
| Portions and packaging | Compare the number of portions, the amount per portion and the total contents. Decide whether you can measure and package them yourself. | For treat bags, I want to prepare a manageable amount for each child without having to divide up the chocolate sprinkles on the spot. Around 40% of consumers give ease of portioning the highest priority. |
| Amount of sweet topping | Check the portion size and nutritional information for the chocolate sprinkles you’ve chosen, and make sure the treat fits the school’s policy. | I want to make a festive treat, but keep the amount of chocolate sprinkles in check. This is the main consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre does not include chocolate sprinkles in the Wheel of Five. Sourdough bread doesn’t change the composition of the sprinkles; the nutritional value of the complete treat depends on both products you choose and the quantities used.
Common mistakes
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Assuming sourdough is suitable for someone with a gluten allergy
‘Sourdough’ and ‘artisan’ don’t tell you which ingredients or allergens are in a particular loaf. The same applies to rusks if you’re considering them as an alternative.
For a packaged product, read the label. Before buying unpackaged bread, ask for allergen information specific to that product and discuss any known allergies with the organiser.
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Checking the school rules only after you’ve packed everything
A school may set rules about the type of treat or decide that pupils can’t hand out treats, according to Parents & Education and the Association for Public Education.
Ask the school or teacher in advance what’s been agreed for the class, including rules about individual packaging and allergies.
If you only check afterwards, you may not be able to use the ingredients and packaging you’ve already bought for this treat.
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Mistaking a large pack for individual portions
A stated portion size doesn’t mean that the portions are individually packaged. With a larger pack, you’ll need to divide up the chocolate sprinkles yourself.
Check whether the pack actually contains individual portions. Then compare the number of children with the number of portions you want to prepare.
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Judging chocolate sprinkles differently because they’re on sourdough
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, chocolate sprinkles aren’t included in the Wheel of Five. The type of bread doesn’t change how the topping is assessed.
Consider how much chocolate sprinkles you’ll use for each treat and check whether a sweet treat is allowed under the school’s rules.
Brands and shops to consider
A brand or shop can help you find a particular type of packaging, but it won’t tell you whether a specific combination of bread and chocolate sprinkles is suitable for the class. Always check the exact product you’re choosing.
De Ruijter
A chocolate sprinkles brand with options including Kleintjes, which comes in individual portions.
- Albert Heijn lists eight portions for De Ruijter Kleintjes: four of 15 g and four of 20 g.
- The different components don’t necessarily have the same ingredients. Check the information for the specific option you’ve chosen, including for milk, soya and wheat starch.
Venz
A chocolate sprinkles brand with options including a 380 g XXL milk chocolate version for portioning yourself.
- A larger pack can work well if you’re putting together portions at home.
- For the specific XXL milk chocolate version, Jumbo lists milk, soya and lactose. Don’t assume the same allergen information applies to other options without checking the label.
Kiekeboe
A supermarket own-brand with options including a 600 g pack of dark chocolate sprinkles at ALDI.
- The larger pack can be useful if you’re measuring out several portions at home.
- Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging of the specific option you’ve chosen.
Albert Heijn
A retailer that provides product information for items including De Ruijter chocolate sprinkles.
- For De Ruijter Kleintjes, the number of portions and the amount per portion are listed.
- Albert Heijn advises customers to check the packaging, as ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change.
Jumbo
A retailer with online product information for the 380 g Venz XXL milk chocolate sprinkles.
- Information about this option can help you compare the pack size and listed allergens.
- The details for these chocolate sprinkles don’t tell you anything about other Venz options or the bread you’ll use them on.
Lidl
A retailer with chocolate sprinkles, including a 600 g milk chocolate version.
- The pack size can help you plan portions to measure out yourself.
- For ingredients, allergens and nutritional values of food products, Lidl directs customers to the physical packaging or advises them to ask about the specific product.
ALDI
A retailer whose range includes Kiekeboe chocolate sprinkles.
- The product information lists a 600 g pack of Kiekeboe dark chocolate sprinkles.
- If allergies are a consideration for your treat, don’t rely on the online product title alone; check the packaging of the option you’ve chosen.
Chocolate sprinkles for making your own portions
These Joybuy products are larger packs of chocolate sprinkles or cake decorations for anyone who wants to make their own treat portions at home. They are not confirmed as individually packaged portions. Choose your rusks or sourdough bread separately, and check the ingredients of both products before packing them together.
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Venz milk chocolate sprinkles 400 g
For measuring out chocolate sprinkles at home for treats; the pack contains 400 g.
If allergies are a concern, check the current label for milk, soya and lactose. Make sure your chosen rusks or bread and your packaging method also fit the class rules.
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Venz chocolate and vanilla sprinkles 400 g
A 400 g pack for making your own portions of chocolate and vanilla sprinkles at home.
Check the packaging for milk, soya and wheat before using the sprinkles for children with a relevant allergy. Don’t assume they come in individual portions.
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Venz Sprinkles Beer Milk Vanilla 380 g
For making your own treat portions with milk and vanilla sprinkles at home; the pack contains 380 g.
Check the current label for milk, soya, wheat and lactose. The product name and pack size don’t confirm that it comes in individual portions.
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g'woon dark chocolate sprinkles 400 g
A 400 g pack for measuring out the amount of dark chocolate sprinkles you want for each treat at home.
If allergies are a concern, check the packaging for milk and any warning about wheat. Choose your own portion size and packaging method.
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De Ruijter dark chocolate sprinkles 390 g
For making your own portions of dark chocolate sprinkles; the pack contains 390 g.
Check the current label for milk and soya. If your treat needs individual portions, divide up and package the chocolate sprinkles yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Is sourdough bread automatically gluten-free?
No. You can’t tell from the name ‘sourdough’ or ‘artisan’. Check the ingredients and allergens for the specific bread, and do the same for rusks if you’re using them instead. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority lists cereals containing gluten among the allergens that must be shown on labels.
Can you hand out chocolate sprinkles as a school treat?
That depends on the rules set by the school and class. Parents & Education and the Association for Public Education explain that schools can set rules for treats or stop pupils from bringing them in. Ask the school or teacher about the current policy before you buy anything.
What should I ask the baker about unpackaged sourdough bread?
Before buying, ask about the allergens in the exact type of bread and any other information relevant to the children concerned. Don’t rely on the product name, and check the chocolate sprinkles you plan to use separately.
Does all sourdough bread contain iodised baker’s salt?
You can’t tell from the term ‘sourdough’. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority sets out a condition for iodine compounds in bread, bread substitutes and other bakery products: they may only come from added baker’s salt containing no more than 65 mg of iodine per kg of salt. This doesn’t mean that all bread contains this type of salt. If it matters to your choice, ask the baker about the ingredients of the bread you’ve chosen.
How should I store chocolate sprinkles after opening?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack you’ve chosen and seal it well after use. The De Ruijter and Venz options listed by Albert Heijn and Jumbo say to store in a cool, dry place. If you prepare bread with chocolate sprinkles in advance, consider whether the texture and packaging will still be right when it’s time to hand out the treats.