Who is this choice relevant to?

Party bakers keeping an eye on sugar

You’re looking for a chocolate topping for cupcakes, desserts or rolls and want to compare sugar levels. Sprinkles can be an alternative if flakes aren’t essential.

Party hosts who want to use flakes

You want visible chocolate flakes as a topping and are checking whether the sugar content of a standard variety suits what you plan to serve.

Label-checkers with questions about ingredients

You check sugars per 100 g, ingredients and allergens. If a product contains polyols, read the warning on the packaging before serving it to guests.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you need flakes for your Halloween party or whether sprinkles would also work. Then compare the nutritional information for the products you’re considering for your topping.

Chocolate flakes

Choose these: if the flake shape is important for your topping.

The trade-off: Albert Heijn lists 65 g of sugars per 100 g for the AH dark flakes discussed here, and 63 g for De Ruijter. Don’t choose them assuming they’re lower-sugar varieties.

Sprinkles with less sugar

Choose these: if sugar content matters more and sprinkles will work for your dish.

The trade-off: sprinkles don’t have the same shape as flakes. According to the product information on Albert Heijn’s website, Céréal Hagelslag puur minder suikers also contains polyols and carries a warning about excessive consumption.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Sugar content Compare sugars per 100 g and check which product is used as the basis for any lower-sugar claim. If I want to limit sugar, I can consider sprinkles as long as they work as a topping. Around 50% of consumers prioritise a lower sugar content.
Flake shape Check whether the product is flakes or sprinkles, and read the nutritional information for flakes too. For my cupcakes, I want visible flakes, even if the standard varieties discussed aren’t presented as lower-sugar products. For around 30% of consumers, that shape is the deciding factor.
Packaging and availability Check the pack size and whether your chosen variety is available when you do your shopping. If I need enough topping for several guests, I want to know how much is in a pack and whether I can buy it in time. That’s the main concern for around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming flakes and sprinkles are the same

    The products discussed that are labelled as lower in sugar are sprinkles, while the flakes discussed are standard varieties. They don’t have the same shape as a topping.

    Decide which shape you want for your dish before comparing sugar levels.

  • Reading only the front of the pack

    A lower-sugar claim doesn’t mean a topping is sugar-free. The comparison basis and the rest of the nutritional information are also relevant to your choice.

    Compare like-for-like products per 100 g. As the Voedingscentrum advises when comparing labels, check the energy and fat values as well as sugars, and read the ingredients list.

  • Overlooking the warning about polyols

    According to the product information on Albert Heijn’s website, Céréal Hagelslag puur minder suikers contains maltitols and carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

    Read the ingredients, allergen information and warning on the pack you buy, especially if you’re serving the topping to guests.

  • Relying on an old product listing

    Jumbo states that Hagelslag Melk Minder Suiker is no longer part of its online range. A product page doesn’t guarantee that you can still buy the variety.

    Check that your chosen variety is available before planning the rest of your party shopping around it.

Brands compared

De Ruijter

The dark chocolate flakes discussed here are an option if you specifically want flakes as a topping.

  • Albert Heijn states that De Ruijter Chocoladevlokken puur contains at least 32% cocoa.
  • The same product information lists 63 g of sugars per 100 g and soy as an allergen. Don’t treat this variety as lower-sugar flakes.

AH

The AH product information discussed here includes both dark chocolate flakes and a separate milk chocolate sprinkle variety with less sugar.

  • According to Albert Heijn, AH Hagelslag melk minder suiker contains 43 g of sugars per 100 g and 30% less sugar than AH Melk hagelslag.
  • According to Albert Heijn, AH Pure chocoladevlokken contain 65 g of sugars per 100 g. The milk variety with less sugar is sprinkles, not flakes.

Céréal

The dark sprinkles discussed here are an alternative if a lower sugar content matters more than the flake shape.

  • According to the product information on Albert Heijn’s website, Céréal Hagelslag puur minder suikers contains 7,7 g of sugars per 100 g. The stated 88% less sugar is compared with standard dark chocolate sprinkles.
  • They’re sprinkles, not flakes. The product information lists maltitols and warns of a possible laxative effect if consumed in excess.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists standard chocolate flakes; the milk sprinkles with less sugar discussed here have a separate product page.

  • Jumbo’s category page includes Chocolade Vlokken Puur and Melk in 300 g packs.
  • Jumbo lists 42,6 g of sugars per 100 g and 30% less sugar for Hagelslag Melk Minder Suiker, but says that the product is no longer part of its online range.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does less sugar mean sugar-free?

No. Less sugar doesn’t mean a product is sugar-free. Check how much sugar the topping contains per 100 g and which product the pack’s claim is comparing it with.

Should I choose flakes or sprinkles for a Halloween topping?

Choose flakes if that particular shape matters; consider sprinkles if you’re looking for a product with a lower stated sugar content and the different shape will work for your dish. Albert Heijn lists 65 g and 63 g of sugars per 100 g for the AH and De Ruijter dark flakes discussed here, while the products discussed with a lower-sugar claim are sprinkles.

How do I compare toppings with different serving sizes?

First compare the nutritional information per 100 g, so different serving sizes don’t distort the comparison. Then consider how much you’ll actually use as a topping.

What should I read on the pack of Céréal Hagelslag puur minder suikers?

Pay particular attention to the ingredients, allergen information and warning about polyols. The product information on Albert Heijn’s website lists maltitols, soy, possible traces of milk and a possible laxative effect if consumed in excess. Check the pack you buy.