Who is this relevant for?

Shoppers who need a sugar-free product

You’re looking for a topping with an explicit sugar-free claim, not simply a product with less sugar. Check the claim alongside the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g.

Fans of traditional aniseed sprinkles

You’re mainly after the aniseed flavour and familiar shape for bread or rusks. Check the ingredients of the variety you choose: Jumbo lists 79 g of sugars per 100 g for De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes.

Shoppers happy to choose a different topping

You want less sugar, but the shape of Muisjes isn’t essential. Chocolate sprinkles with a reduced-sugar claim are a different product category, so compare the remaining sugar content and read any warnings on the packaging.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide whether sugar-free is essential. Then consider whether you want to keep the aniseed flavour and shape of Muisjes, or would prefer a different, lower-sugar topping.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Verified sugar-free Look for an explicit ‘sugar-free’ claim and check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that, for solid foods, products carrying this claim can contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. If sugar-free is essential for my snack cupboard, I don’t want to rely on a ‘less sugar’ claim. Around 50% of consumers make verified sugar-free products their priority.
The Muisjes experience Check whether the product is Muisjes made with aniseed, and read the ingredients for the variety you’ve chosen. For rusks, I want to keep the familiar shape and aniseed flavour, even if that means choosing a product that isn’t sugar-free. For around 33% of consumers, the Muisjes experience matters most.
Less sugar in a different topping Compare the sugars per 100 g. For products containing polyols, also read the ingredients and any packaging warnings. If chocolate sprinkles will do, I’m mainly looking for a lower sugar content without confusing it with sugar-free. This is the top priority for around 17% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Reading ‘less sugar’ as ‘sugar-free’

    A reduced-sugar claim compares a product with another one. Albert Heijn lists 15 g of sugars per 100 g for Céréal milk chocolate sprinkles with less sugar.

    Check the exact claim and nutrition information per 100 g before choosing a topping as sugar-free.

  • Choosing regular Muisjes as a sugar-free alternative

    According to Jumbo, sugar is the first ingredient in De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes, which contain 79 g of sugars per 100 g.

    Choose this variety for its flavour and shape, not to meet a sugar-free requirement.

  • Overlooking a warning about polyols

    Albert Heijn’s product information lists maltitol in Céréal milk chocolate sprinkles with less sugar and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

    If a topping contains polyols, read the ingredients and warnings on the current packaging.

  • Looking only at the sugar content

    Jumbo lists wheat starch in De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes. The ingredients and allergen information may also matter when choosing a product.

    Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety you’re buying.

Relevant brands and product ranges

De Ruijter

Muisjes varieties for anyone looking for the traditional aniseed flavour and shape; Albert Heijn and Jumbo list crushed and coloured varieties, among others.

  • PLUS suggests using the crushed variety on bread, rusks and yoghurt.
  • Jumbo lists sugar as the first ingredient in De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes, along with 79 g of sugars per 100 g and wheat starch.

Céréal

The lower-sugar chocolate sprinkles are a different type of topping from Muisjes.

  • Albert Heijn says Céréal milk chocolate sprinkles with less sugar contain 79% less sugar than standard milk chocolate sprinkles, and 15 g of sugars per 100 g.
  • This product isn’t sugar-free. Albert Heijn lists 44 g of polyols per 100 g and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

AH

AH dark chocolate sprinkles with less sugar are a dark chocolate sprinkles option, not a Muisjes product.

  • Albert Heijn says they contain 30% less sugar than AH dark chocolate sprinkles.
  • Albert Heijn lists 43 g of sugars per 100 g for this variety; ‘less sugar’ does not mean ‘sugar-free’ here.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

What does ‘sugar-free’ mean for a solid topping?

The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that solid foods carrying a ‘sugar-free’ claim can contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. Check both the claim and the ‘of which sugars’ figure on the label; ‘less sugar’ is a different claim.

Are De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes sugar-free?

No. According to Jumbo, sugar is listed as the first ingredient, and this variety contains 79 g of sugars per 100 g. Always check the label for any other Muisjes variety.

Can lower-sugar chocolate sprinkles replace sugar-free Muisjes?

Not if you’re looking for sugar-free Muisjes: chocolate sprinkles are a different type of product, and a reduced-sugar claim doesn’t make them sugar-free. Albert Heijn lists 15 g of sugars per 100 g for Céréal milk chocolate sprinkles with less sugar, and 43 g per 100 g for AH dark chocolate sprinkles with less sugar.

What should I look out for in chocolate sprinkles containing maltitol?

Read the ingredients and any warnings on the packaging. For Céréal milk chocolate sprinkles with less sugar, Albert Heijn’s product information warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.