Who is this choice for?

Learners who prioritise Fairtrade cocoa

You’re looking for a chocolate product with an explicit Fairtrade cocoa claim, and don’t mind if it isn’t aniseed sprinkles.

Aniseed sprinkle fans

You want to keep the aniseed flavour and a topping for things like crispbread or yoghurt. If Fairtrade cocoa matters to you too, consider that separately.

Shoppers who consider nutritional information

You want something sweet while you study, but you also look at the ingredients, nutritional information and portion size, rather than just the front of the pack.

What should you look for?

First decide whether you mainly want something to sprinkle or a product made with Fairtrade cocoa. Then check the ingredients and the portion you plan to have.

What to consider What to look for Who it matters to
Fairtrade cocoa Check that the Fairtrade cocoa claim applies to the exact product and appears on the current packaging. I want chocolate with an explicit Fairtrade cocoa claim while I study, even if it isn’t aniseed sprinkles; around 42% of consumers prioritise a claim they can verify.
Nutritional information Check the ingredients, sugars per 100 g, allergens and the portion you plan to have. If I have something sweet while studying, I want to know what’s in my portion; around 33% of consumers prioritise nutritional information.
Aniseed sprinkle shape and flavour Check that you’re buying a topping you can sprinkle, and read the ingredients list if you’re also looking for cocoa. For crispbread or yoghurt, I want to keep the aniseed flavour and easy-to-sprinkle form, even if I choose a separate cocoa product as well; the aniseed sprinkle format is the main reason for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a retailer’s policy applies to every product

    PLUS says the cocoa in its own-brand products has been Fairtrade-certified since 2020. That statement doesn’t tell you whether an item you’re considering contains cocoa.

    Check the ingredients and the Fairtrade label on the current packaging of the specific item.

  • Assuming aniseed sprinkles are a chocolate snack

    The ingredients list for De Ruijter Blue and White Aniseed Sprinkles at Albert Heijn names sugar and aniseed, but no cocoa. So the familiar shape of aniseed sprinkles doesn’t automatically meet a desire for Fairtrade chocolate.

    Choose these sprinkles for their aniseed flavour and easy-to-sprinkle form. If cocoa is your main priority, look for a separate product with an explicit Fairtrade cocoa claim.

  • Relying on the Fairtrade label alone

    A claim about cocoa doesn’t tell you the full nutritional value, ingredients list or portion size of your snack.

    Check the nutritional information and allergens on the packaging too. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends reading both the ingredients list and the nutrition table.

Relevant brands to consider

De Ruijter

Worth considering if you’re specifically looking for aniseed sprinkles: Albert Heijn and Jumbo list De Ruijter products in their aniseed sprinkle ranges.

  • Albert Heijn describes the Blue and White Aniseed Sprinkles as sprinkles made with aniseed.
  • This variety’s ingredients list doesn’t mention cocoa; check any Fairtrade claim on each product individually.

PLUS

Worth considering if Fairtrade cocoa matters more to you than the shape of aniseed sprinkles.

  • PLUS says the cocoa in its own-brand products has been Fairtrade-certified since 2020. The PLUS 70% Cocoa Fairtrade Chocolate Bar, Per Krimp 100 g, is labelled as containing Fairtrade cocoa.
  • This is a chocolate bar, not a sprinkleable aniseed variety. Check the allergens and nutritional information before choosing it too.

Fairtrade Original

Worth considering if you’re looking beyond aniseed sprinkles to sprinkleable chocolate toppings: Jumbo lists Fairtrade Original Dark Chocolate Sprinkles 380 g in its Fair Trade category.

  • Chocolate sprinkles offer another sprinkleable product format to consider.
  • Chocolate sprinkles aren’t aniseed sprinkles; check the current packaging for ingredients, allergens and the claim for this specific product.

Chocolate as an alternative to aniseed sprinkles

This chocolate bar could suit you if you want chocolate alongside or instead of aniseed sprinkles, and Fairtrade cocoa is your main priority. It won’t replace their aniseed flavour or easy-to-sprinkle form.

Tony's Chocolonely Pure 70% Dark Chocolate, 180 g bar

Tony's Chocolonely Pure 70% Dark Chocolate 180 g

A chocolate bar for anyone who prioritises their choice of cocoa over the form of aniseed sprinkles.

Before making your choice, check the cocoa percentage and Fairtrade label on the current packaging. Check the allergen information there too.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Are ordinary aniseed sprinkles automatically Fairtrade chocolate?

No, don’t assume they are. The ingredients list for De Ruijter Blue and White Aniseed Sprinkles at Albert Heijn doesn’t mention cocoa. For another product, check both the ingredients and any Fairtrade cocoa claim on the current packaging.

How do I choose a Fairtrade cocoa product as a study snack?

Look for an explicit Fairtrade cocoa claim on the specific product, then check the ingredients, allergens, nutritional information and the portion you plan to have. The PLUS 70% Cocoa Fairtrade Bar is labelled as containing Fairtrade cocoa, but it’s a chocolate bar, not aniseed sprinkles.

Is the front of the packaging enough to compare snacks?

No. Check the ingredients and nutrition table too; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends reading both. This lets you compare information such as sugars per 100 g with the portion you plan to have.