If reducing sugar is your priority when adding a chocolate topping to hotel coffee, compare reduced-sugar sprinkles with standard chocolate flakes rather than relying on the product name. Jumbo lists 70 g of sugars per 100 g for De Ruijter Milk Chocolate Flakes and 14.5 g per 100 g for Céréal Milk Chocolate Sprinkles. Sprinkles are not the same shape as flakes; also check the allergens, portion information and any warning about polyols for each variant.
You want to offer a chocolate topping with coffee or breakfast, so you compare the amount of sugars per 100 g. The De Ruijter milk chocolate flakes and Céréal milk chocolate sprinkles listed by Jumbo differ in this respect, but they also come in different forms.
You want guests to be able to check which allergens a product contains, even when you serve toppings loose. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that consumers must be given allergen information for non-prepacked products in a way other than on the packaging.
You choose chocolate flakes for their distinctive, coarse shape with coffee or breakfast. If so, check the product description: the Céréal and AH reduced-sugar products mentioned are sprinkles, not flakes.
First decide whether reducing sugar or keeping the flake shape matters most. Then consider how you’ll serve each product and make its allergen information easy to access.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Less sugar | Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and check what a reduced-sugar claim is being compared with. Also check whether the product contains polyols. | If my main aim is to limit the amount of sugar, I want to know what the chosen product lists per 100 g. Around 50% of consumers give this consideration priority. |
| Allergens and serving | Read the current allergen information, including any ‘may contain’ statements, and decide how guests can check it when you serve individual portions. | When I serve toppings loose, I want to make sure guests don’t have to guess what they contain. For around 30% of consumers, accessible allergen information and controlled serving are the priorities. |
| Shape and presentation | Check whether the packaging says flakes or sprinkles and whether the available portion size suits your service. | For my coffee service, I want to keep the distinctive, coarse flake shape, even if sprinkles have a different sugar content. For around 20% of consumers, shape is the top priority. |
A guest expecting chocolate flakes will get a different topping if you serve the reduced-sugar sprinkles mentioned here. This difference still matters, even if you’re considering the products for the same occasion.
Make it clear on your purchasing list and when presenting the options whether you’ve chosen flakes or sprinkles.
A comparative claim doesn’t mean that a product contains no sugars. The reference product for a claim can also vary.
Read the current nutritional information per 100 g and check which product the claim is compared with.
The Céréal variants mentioned contain polyols and carry a warning about excessive consumption. Depending on the product, milk and soya may also be relevant allergens.
Check the current packaging for each variant and make the relevant product and allergen information available when guests help themselves.
The milk variant reviewed is chocolate flakes. This product range is therefore suited to those choosing the coarse flake shape, but not necessarily to those looking to reduce sugar.
The reduced-sugar variants mentioned are chocolate sprinkles. They’re worth considering if you’re happy to offer a different topping from flakes.
AH Reduced-Sugar Milk Chocolate Sprinkles are an own-brand option if you’re considering milk chocolate sprinkles rather than flakes.
No. The Céréal and AH reduced-sugar products mentioned are sprinkles, while the De Ruijter milk variant mentioned is chocolate flakes. Use the correct product name when buying and presenting them.
No. ‘Less sugar’ means a comparison with another product; it doesn’t mean that the product contains no sugars. For the variant you choose, check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and what product the claim is compared with.
Make sure guests can check the allergen information for the product you’ve chosen. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that consumers must be given this information for non-prepacked products in a way other than on the packaging. For each variant, check the current information, including details about milk and soya.
The Céréal variants mentioned contain polyols and state that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Keep the packaging or product information available, especially when guests help themselves.
Follow the storage instructions and best-before date on the packaging of the product you choose. Instructions vary by variant: the De Ruijter milk chocolate flakes mentioned should be stored in a cool, dry place, while the Céréal variants mentioned should be stored in a dry place at room temperature.
