Parents who want to include less sugar
You want to put together a party bag that feels festive without making sugary aniseed sprinkles the main feature. A small portion and a different base give you more scope to choose the contents carefully.
Who is this relevant to?
Organisers of colourful children's party treats
You’re mainly looking for a familiar decoration for something like a cupcake or rusk. Aniseed sprinkles can do the job, as long as you take the amount per child into account.
Parents who need to check ingredients
If a child has an allergy or needs to keep track of carbohydrates, the information on the exact packaging matters more than the colour or name of the treat.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether the aniseed sprinkles will be a small decoration or the main ingredient in the treat. Then compare the nutritional information and the portion you plan to give each child.
Aniseed sprinkles as decoration
When: Choose this option if you want a colourful accent and can keep the amount of sprinkles small.
Trade-off: Using less does not change the sugar content of the sprinkles themselves.
A different base for the treat
When: Choose a different base if keeping sugar down matters more than the traditional aniseed-sprinkle decoration.
Trade-off: You’ll miss out on the aniseed flavour and familiar decoration. Check the portion size and label of any alternative too.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Less sugar | Compare the sugars per 100 g and decide how much to give each child. | I don’t want sugary aniseed sprinkles to make up most of a party bag when I’m trying to limit sugar. Around 50% of consumers give reducing sugar the highest priority. |
| A festive look | Decide whether the sprinkles work as a small topping for the chosen treat. | For a decorated cupcake or rusk, I want a familiar splash of colour without filling the bag with sprinkles. For around 30% of consumers, appearance comes first. |
| Ingredients and carbohydrates | Read the current label for allergens and, if needed, check the carbohydrates per portion. | If a child needs to avoid certain ingredients or keep track of carbohydrates, I want to know what I’m handing out in advance. For around 20% of consumers, these checks take priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a colourful variety contains less sugar
Colour doesn’t tell you anything about nutritional value. Albert Heijn and PLUS list 79 g of sugars per 100 g for De Ruijter Feestmuisjes.
Check the sugars per 100 g, then decide what portion will work for the treat. If reducing sugar is your priority, choose a different base and use aniseed sprinkles only as a decoration.
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Relying on an old ingredients list
According to product information from Albert Heijn and PLUS, the De Ruijter aniseed sprinkles discussed here contain wheat or cereals containing gluten. If a child needs to avoid these ingredients, check the exact packaging.
Ask about any relevant allergies in advance and read the label of the product you’ll actually be handing out.
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Choosing the treat before checking the school’s guidelines
A school or after-school club may have rules about the contents and size of party treats.
Ask in advance what you’re allowed to hand out. If food isn’t welcome, you could consider a small non-food gift.
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Focusing only on ‘less sugar’ when a child has diabetes
For a child with diabetes, the amount of carbohydrates in the treat matters too. Diabetes.nl recommends knowing this amount in advance or comparing it with the child’s usual snack.
Agree the treat with the child’s parent in advance, and make sure the ingredient and carbohydrate information is available.
Brands to consider
De Ruijter
De Ruijter offers Feestmuisjes, Gestampte muisjes, and pink-and-white and blue-and-white varieties. Product information from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS can help you identify the exact variety.
- A range of colours and shapes gives you options for a topping or decoration.
- Albert Heijn lists 79 g of sugars per 100 g for both Feestmuisjes and Gestampte muisjes. Check the allergens on the packaging of your chosen variety too.
Joybuy products for this treat
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Are De Ruijter Feestmuisjes a lower-sugar option for a party bag?
The De Ruijter Feestmuisjes we checked aren’t a substantiated choice if reducing sugar is your main aim: Albert Heijn and PLUS list 79 g of sugars per 100 g. You could use them as a small decoration and assess the whole treat based on portion sizes and nutritional information.
What can I hand out instead of aniseed sprinkles?
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre suggests ideas for children's party treats including a portion of fruit, a small box of raisins and a little cup of plain popcorn. Choose based on the portion you want to serve, the nutritional information, any allergies and your school or after-school club’s guidelines. These options don’t automatically have the same sugar content.
Should I check the allergens on every pack?
Check the label of the exact pre-packed product you plan to hand out. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information must appear on the label of pre-packed foods; the De Ruijter aniseed sprinkles discussed here list wheat and cereals containing gluten.
What if a child with diabetes is joining the celebrations?
Discuss the treat with the child’s parent in advance and make sure you know how many carbohydrates it contains. Diabetes.nl recommends knowing this amount or comparing it with the child’s usual snack. Any personal arrangements for food and treatment should always take precedence.
How should I store De Ruijter Feestmuisjes until the party?
Store De Ruijter Feestmuisjes in a dry place and check the best-before date on the packaging. These are the storage instructions given in the product information we checked for this variety.