If reducing sugar is a firm requirement, don’t choose the celebration or crushed aniseed sprinkles discussed here as a demonstrably reduced-sugar alternative: according to product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo, both De Ruijter varieties contain 79 g of sugars per 100 g. To find a reduced-sugar alternative, compare the nutritional information for the exact product with that of a similar standard product. If presentation is your main concern, choose a shape and pack size that suit your planned portions. For catering, also check the allergen information, especially if you’re serving the sprinkles loose.
If you need to buy a reduced-sugar product, you’ll need a verifiable comparison with a similar product. Albert Heijn and Jumbo’s product information lists 79 g of sugars per 100 g for each of the De Ruijter varieties discussed here. This does not support a claim of reduced sugar for either variety.
If you’d like to offer aniseed sprinkles as a topping for rusks, yoghurt or cake, consider the shape, presentation and amount needed per serving. A smaller sprinkling does not change the product’s nutritional value per 100 g.
The celebration and crushed aniseed sprinkles discussed here list wheat and cereals containing gluten. If you serve them in bowls or on dishes, you need to be able to access the information on the packaging you’ve used. According to Ondernemersplein, guests must be able to obtain clear allergen information for food sold unpackaged.
For conference catering, first decide whether less sugar is a requirement. Then choose a topping and quantity to suit how you’ll serve it, and make sure guests can access allergen information.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Demonstrably less sugar | Compare the sugars per 100 g in the exact product with those in a similar standard product, and check what any claim refers to. | If my catering brief specifies less sugar, I want to be able to support my choice with product information. For around 42% of consumers, this verifiable sugar reduction would be the main requirement. |
| Portions and presentation | Check the net weight and decide which shape will work for the planned portions on rusks, yoghurt or cake. | For a celebratory coffee break, I want to buy enough topping without losing sight of portion sizes. Around 25% of consumers would prioritise portion planning and presentation. |
| Allergen information | Read the current label on the pack you’re buying, and keep the allergen information available if you’re serving the product unpackaged. | When guests need allergen information, I want to be able to tell them what the aniseed sprinkles we’re using contain. For around 33% of consumers, managing this information would be the main purchasing requirement. |
A smaller portion means you serve less of the product, but the sugar content per 100 g stays the same. Albert Heijn and Jumbo both list 79 g of sugars per 100 g for the celebration and crushed aniseed sprinkles discussed here.
Plan portions separately, and assess any sugar-reduction claim using the nutritional information for the exact product and a similar product for comparison.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre (Voedingscentrum), ‘light’ can refer to energy, fat or sugar, with a reduction of at least 30% compared with a similar product. The term alone doesn’t tell you which property has been reduced.
Read the full claim and compare the relevant values per 100 g. When planning portions, also consider how much you’ll actually serve.
The aniseed sprinkles discussed here list wheat and cereals containing gluten. According to Ondernemersplein, guests must be able to obtain clear allergen information for food sold unpackaged.
Keep the packaging or an accurate product specification at the serving point, so staff can pass on information about the topping being used.
De Ruijter is relevant here because Albert Heijn and Jumbo provide product information for its celebration and crushed aniseed sprinkles. Information about these two varieties does not represent the brand’s full range.
No. Albert Heijn and Jumbo’s product information lists 79 g of sugars per 100 g for both De Ruijter Feestmuisjes and crushed aniseed sprinkles. If reducing sugar is a purchasing requirement, check the nutritional information for the exact alternative product and the comparison behind any claim.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre (Voedingscentrum), ‘light’ can mean at least 30% less energy, fat or sugar than a similar product. Check which property the packaging refers to. Less sugar does not automatically mean an equally large reduction in energy content.
Not as a gluten-free option: the product information for the celebration and crushed aniseed sprinkles discussed here lists wheat and cereals containing gluten. Check the label on the pack you’re actually buying before giving guests information about allergens.
According to Ondernemersplein, guests must be able to obtain clear allergen information for food sold unpackaged. So keep the information for the exact product you’re using available if you remove the aniseed sprinkles from their packaging or serve them as a topping.
Product information for the varieties discussed says to store them in a dry place. Keep the packaging and relevant product information available until the aniseed sprinkles have been served, so you can check the ingredients and allergens.
