Coffee drinker comparing packs
You want flakes for a small, familiar coffee break and check the pack size and flavour you’re looking for before choosing a variety.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Older person mindful of their overall diet
You’d like something sweet with your coffee, while still leaving room for snacks that provide other nutrients. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights the importance of getting enough nutrients as part of an overall diet for older people.
Shopper checking ingredients and allergens
You need the label for the exact variety to check its ingredients and potential allergens. Milk, mixed and plain chocolate flakes don’t necessarily have the same ingredients.
What should you look for when choosing?
If you have an allergy, first check the pack of the variety you’re considering. Then compare the pack size and nutritional information with the portion you plan to have with your coffee.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Amount per pack | Check the net weight: the chocolate flake packs listed include sizes of 200 g and 300 g. | If I have flakes with my afternoon coffee regularly, I want to choose a pack size that suits how much I use. Around 34% of consumers prioritise this consideration. |
| Portion and nutritional value | Read the nutritional information per 100 g and, if provided, per portion. Check the sugar, fat, fibre and protein content. | For me, flakes add flavour, but the snack as a whole should also fit into my diet. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this consideration. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack of the exact flavour you’re choosing, including plain varieties. | If milk, wheat or another allergen matters to me, I need to be able to check the exact pack. This is the main concern for around 33% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Treating flakes as a complete afternoon snack
Chocolate flakes are a sweet spread or topping. For older people, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights the importance of getting enough nutrients as part of an overall diet.
If you like, use flakes as a small addition to something like bread or yoghurt. Choose your snack as a whole based on what you need.
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Assuming the flavour name tells you about allergens
According to Jumbo’s product information, the milk variety contains milk, while the duo mix may contain gluten, milk and wheat. PLUS says its plain chocolate flakes may contain milk and lactose.
Before using them, read the allergen information on the pack of the variety you’ve chosen, even if you know another flavour from the same brand.
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Relying on an online product page as a definitive label
A product’s ingredients and information can change. So a page you looked at previously isn’t enough to assess the pack in your hands.
When you buy, check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on the pack again.
Brands to compare
These brands offer different types of chocolate flakes. Always check the variety you’re choosing, rather than relying on the brand name alone.
Albert Heijn
Own-brand range including plain and mixed chocolate flakes in 300 g packs.
- Albert Heijn states that its plain chocolate flakes contain 65 g of added sugars per 100 g.
- Check the nutritional information and allergens for your chosen variety on the pack. Plain and mixed varieties don’t have the same ingredients.
Jumbo
Own-brand range with milk, plain and duo-mix flakes in 300 g packs.
- Choosing between milk, plain and mixed varieties lets you pick a specific flavour.
- Jumbo lists milk as an allergen for the milk variety; the duo mix may contain gluten, milk and wheat.
PLUS
Own-brand range with 300 g packs of plain chocolate flakes, listed on the product page as made with Fairtrade cocoa.
- An option if you’re specifically looking for plain chocolate flakes.
- PLUS says this plain variety may contain milk and lactose. Check the pack if that’s relevant to you.
De Ruijter
Brand range including milk, plain, white and Royaal varieties in the supermarket ranges listed.
- A particular flavour or product range may be the reason to choose a branded variety.
- A different flavour or product range doesn’t, by itself, tell you anything about the nutritional value or allergens in the pack you’ve chosen.
Kiekeboe (ALDI)
ALDI own-brand range with milk and plain chocolate flakes in 300 g packs.
- ALDI describes these varieties as Rainforest Alliance-certified.
- Check the nutritional information and allergens separately for the milk or plain variety you choose.
Chocolate flakes and sprinkles on Joybuy
These products are intended as a sweet spread or topping to enjoy with a coffee break. The selection includes both chocolate flakes and chocolate sprinkles. Sprinkles are a different type of topping, even when the flavour is similar.
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g'woon milk chocolate flakes 300 g
For anyone who wants to use milk chocolate flakes as a spread or topping.
300 g pack. If you have an allergy, check the label for ingredients including milk and wheat.
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De Ruijter Flake Feast 200 g
A flake variety for anyone looking for a mix of flavours on bread or yoghurt.
200 g pack. If you have an allergy, check the pack for information about wheat, soya and possible traces of milk.
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De Ruijter Hail Chocolate Pure 390 g
For anyone looking for plain chocolate sprinkles and who prefers sprinkles to flakes.
390 g pack. The word ‘plain’ doesn’t mean the product is free from milk ingredients, so check the label if you have an allergy.
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De Ruijter Flakes Milk 200 g
Milk chocolate flakes for anyone who wants this flavour as a spread or topping.
200 g pack. If you have an allergy, check the pack for information about milk and soya.
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De Ruijter Intense Pure Chocolate Sprinkles 200 g
Plain chocolate sprinkles for anyone who wants to use sprinkles as a topping instead of flakes.
200 g pack. If you have an allergy or intolerance, check the pack for information about milk and lactose before choosing this product.
Frequently asked questions
Are chocolate flakes a complete snack with afternoon coffee?
No. Use chocolate flakes as a spread or small topping, not as a replacement for a complete snack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights the importance of getting enough nutrients as part of an overall diet for older people, so consider what you eat with the flakes too.
Can I assume plain chocolate flakes are free from milk?
No, the word ‘plain’ doesn’t guarantee that. For example, PLUS says its plain chocolate flakes may contain milk and lactose. If you have an allergy or intolerance, read the label on the exact pack.
What should I look for on the label of chocolate flakes?
Check the ingredients, allergens, net quantity and nutritional value of the variety you’ve chosen. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority lists these details as part of the labelling requirements for pre-packed foods. Information may vary between flavours.
How should I store chocolate flakes once opened?
Follow the storage instructions and best-before information on the pack. Seal the pack carefully after use, and check the label of your chosen variety for any advice about storage after opening.