Parents looking for aniseed sprinkles
You want the familiar look of aniseed sprinkles for a children’s treat. Albert Heijn describes De Ruijter Feestmuisjes as sugar-coated aniseed: they aren’t dark chocolate.
Who is each option for?
Organisers looking for a dark chocolate flavour
You want to use chocolate as a topping or as a separate part of a treat. Dark chocolate sprinkles suit that flavour preference, but they don’t have the shape or taste of aniseed sprinkles.
Parents who need to check the rules first
You want to know which treats the school or childcare setting allows, and which allergies or dietary requirements you need to consider. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises checking for allergies in advance.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you mean aniseed sprinkles or chocolate sprinkles. Then check that the treat fits the group’s rules and work out how much you’ll need for each bag.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Product type and flavour | Check whether the product is aniseed sprinkles or chocolate sprinkles. If you’re choosing chocolate, compare the stated cocoa percentage if it matters to you. | If I want the familiar aniseed sprinkles, I don’t want to accidentally buy chocolate sprinkles; if I’m looking for cocoa, the opposite applies. Around 42% of consumers put this choice between product types first. |
| Allergens and treat rules | Ask the school or childcare setting what’s allowed, and read the current label, including allergen information and warnings about possible traces. | Before I fill the bags, I need to know whether the contents are allowed for the group and what dietary rules apply. For around 33% of consumers, checking this comes before choosing a flavour. |
| Portions and packaging | Work out how many people you’re buying for and how much you’ll put in each bag, then compare the net weight of the packs. | I want enough to share without being left with a large pack. For around 25% of consumers, the amount needed is the first thing they consider. |
Common mistakes
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Confusing aniseed sprinkles with dark chocolate sprinkles
You could end up buying chocolate when you need the traditional look of aniseed sprinkles, or aniseed sprinkles when you’re after a rich dark chocolate flavour.
Read the product description: Albert Heijn describes De Ruijter Feestmuisjes as sugar-coated aniseed and says De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur sprinkles contain at least 52% cocoa solids.
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Relying only on an online product description
For a treat, the allergen information on the pack you’ll actually be handing out matters, especially if you’re dividing the contents between individual bags.
Check the current label on the exact pack you’re using, and discuss any relevant allergies in advance with parents or carers and the school or childcare setting.
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Buying before checking the rules for treats
A school may have rules about the type or amount of treats children can bring in. So the bag you choose might not automatically be suitable for the group.
Ask the teacher or childcare setting what rules apply to the group first.
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Choosing a pack before planning the bags
It’s hard to work out which pack size is right without knowing how many people you’re buying for and how much you’ll put in each bag.
Count the recipients and decide on the portions before choosing a pack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises giving children small portions and buying no more than you need.
If the pack is larger than you need for the bags you’ve planned, you’ll have product left over.
Brands compared
De Ruijter
Worth considering because Albert Heijn describes both Feestmuisjes and Specials Intens Puur sprinkles from this brand.
- Feestmuisjes are sugar-coated aniseed; Albert Heijn says Specials Intens Puur contains at least 52% cocoa solids.
- These are different types of product. Check the allergens on the pack you choose; the dark chocolate sprinkles described list milk and soya.
PLUS
The own-brand range includes dark chocolate sprinkles in a 400 g pack.
- PLUS says these sprinkles contain at least 32% cocoa solids and use Fairtrade cocoa.
- A vegan label doesn’t replace an allergen check: according to the product information, these sprinkles may contain milk and lactose.
Mister Choc
Lidl lists Mister Choc dark chocolate sprinkles in a 600 g pack as a product available in store.
- The product type and pack size can help when you’re planning several treats.
- If the cocoa percentage or an allergen is a deciding factor, check the pack in store before choosing.
Moser Roth
ALDI lists Moser Roth 85% cocoa dark chocolate as a bar.
- A bar is a separate chocolate option if a specific cocoa percentage is important to you.
- It isn’t aniseed sprinkles or chocolate sprinkles. If you want to put chocolate in treat bags, check the format and label of the specific bar.
Products for aniseed and chocolate sprinkles
These products suit two different kinds of treat: dark chocolate sprinkles for topping and blue-and-white aniseed sprinkles for a traditional option. Decide which type you want before comparing pack sizes and labels.
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De Ruijter Intense Dark Chocolate Sprinkles, 200 g
A dark chocolate touch for when you don’t want aniseed sprinkles. The pack contains 200 g; check the current label for cocoa information and allergens before sharing out the sprinkles.
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De Ruijter Dark Chocolate Sprinkles, 390 g
For anyone looking for dark chocolate sprinkles as a topping and wanting to work out the amount needed in advance. The pack contains 390 g; if a high cocoa percentage is essential, check the percentage on the pack along with the allergen information.
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De Ruijter blue and white aniseed sprinkles, 330 g
For a treat where the familiar look of aniseed sprinkles matters more than a dark chocolate flavour. The pack contains 330 g; work out the portions for the group and check the current label, particularly if anyone needs to avoid wheat or gluten.
Frequently asked questions
Are dark aniseed sprinkles the same as dark chocolate sprinkles?
No, the products described are different: Albert Heijn calls De Ruijter Feestmuisjes sugar-coated aniseed and says De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur chocolate sprinkles contain at least 52% cocoa solids. So first decide whether you’re looking for the aniseed shape or a chocolate flavour.
Can a school set rules for sweet treats?
Yes, schools can set rules about which treats pupils are allowed to hand out. Before buying anything, ask the teacher which rules apply to the group; the amount or whether the treat needs to be edible may also matter.
How do I check for allergens when filling treat bags myself?
Read the current label on every pack you use and ask in advance which allergies are relevant to the group. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be listed on the label of prepacked foods; also look out for warnings about possible traces.
Is a vegan label enough if someone has a milk allergy?
No, if someone has a milk allergy, don’t rely on that label alone. According to PLUS, its dark chocolate sprinkles have a vegan label, but may also contain milk and lactose; check the full label and discuss your choice with the parent or carer concerned.