Don’t assume that a search term such as ‘less sugar’ describes the product when it comes to aniseed sprinkles: Albert Heijn and Jumbo list 79 g of sugars per 100 g for the De Ruijter varieties checked. If your main aim is to serve less sugar, compare the label per 100 g and per portion used. If you don’t need the aniseed flavour, you could also consider a different topping or snack. For aniseed sprinkles, remember to check the allergen information for wheat and cereals containing gluten.
For a celebratory snack, you’ll want to know how much aniseed sprinkle topping you’re actually using. Compare the nutrition information per 100 g, then check the portion size. For children aged 4 to 12, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends fruit and vegetables as snack choices.
The aniseed flavour and colourful topping are exactly why you want to use aniseed sprinkles on crispbread, yoghurt or a cupcake. Albert Heijn and Jumbo describe the varieties checked as sugared aniseed, so the amount you sprinkle on matters too.
Albert Heijn and Jumbo’s product information for De Ruijter Feestmuisjes and Gestampte Muisjes lists wheat and cereals containing gluten. Read the allergen information on the packaging before using the product.
When: Choose aniseed sprinkles if they need to be part of the treat.
Trade-off: According to Albert Heijn and Jumbo, the Feestmuisjes and Gestampte Muisjes checked each contain 79 g of sugars per 100 g and list wheat and cereals containing gluten.
When: Consider this if having less sugar matters more than the flavour and appearance of aniseed sprinkles.
Trade-off: Chocolate sprinkles from a range of sugar-conscious spreads are a different type of product. Compare the specific label and don’t expect the same aniseed flavour.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Less sugar | Compare the sugars per 100 g in the specific products, then check the amount per portion. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends using values per 100 g to compare products. | If I want to serve less sugar, I want to be able to see what changes in the nutrition information. For around 42% of consumers, less sugar is the main purchasing priority. |
| Portion size and snack occasion | Work out how many grams of aniseed sprinkles you use; a value per portion only applies to the stated weight in grams. Also think about the rest of the snack. | For a holiday treat, I want to be able to estimate how much topping goes on the food, without automatically choosing it as an everyday snack. Portion size and snack occasion are the main priorities for around 33% of consumers. |
| Allergens and product type | Read the current ingredients and allergen information. Also check that you’re comparing aniseed sprinkles with aniseed sprinkles, rather than with biscuits or chocolate sprinkles. | When I’m buying for someone who needs to check for wheat or gluten, I first need to know exactly what I’m serving and what it contains. For around 25% of consumers, this is their first priority. |
Searching for ‘less sugar aniseed sprinkles’ tells you nothing about the nutritional value of a product you find. According to Albert Heijn and Jumbo, the De Ruijter Feestmuisjes and Gestampte Muisjes checked both contain 79 g of sugars per 100 g.
Compare the nutrition information for the specific product with that of the aniseed sprinkles you’d otherwise choose.
Jumbo lists 4.7 g of sugars per 6 g portion of De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 11.9 g of sugars for 15 g of aniseed sprinkles; those portions aren’t the same size.
Compare values per 100 g first, then work out how many grams you’ll actually sprinkle on.
A small amount of topping doesn’t tell you the whole story about a snack. For children aged 4 to 12, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends fruit and vegetables, among other options, as snacks.
Think about whether you’re looking for a celebratory topping or something to serve more often during the holidays.
Even a small amount can matter if you need to check for wheat or gluten. Albert Heijn and Jumbo list these allergens for the De Ruijter varieties checked.
Read the current allergen information on the packaging before serving.
Albert Heijn and Jumbo list various De Ruijter aniseed sprinkles, including Feestmuisjes and Gestampte Muisjes.
The online aniseed sprinkles category features De Ruijter products; sugar-conscious spreads are listed in a separate category.
The online aniseed sprinkles category includes products such as De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes.
It depends on how much you use. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 11.9 g of sugars for 15 g of aniseed sprinkles; Jumbo lists 4.7 g of sugars per 6 g portion of De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes. So don’t just look at the value per portion – check the weight in grams too.
Compare the amount of sugars per 100 g on the label of the specific aniseed sprinkles with the product you’d otherwise buy. Then check the amount for the portion you plan to serve; a search term or general category label isn’t enough.
No. Albert Heijn and Jumbo describe the aniseed sprinkles checked as sugared aniseed or crushed sugared aniseed. So don’t use the nutrition information for biscuits to assess aniseed sprinkles.
Yes, if you’re buying for someone who needs to check these ingredients. Albert Heijn and Jumbo’s product information lists wheat and cereals containing gluten for the De Ruijter Feestmuisjes and Gestampte Muisjes checked. Check the current packaging before use.
For children aged 4 to 12, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends fruit and vegetables as snack choices. If you’re making a celebratory snack with aniseed sprinkles, consider the amount of topping you use and the rest of the snack separately.
