For biscuits, start by comparing the sugars per 100 g if reducing sugar in the chocolate topping is your priority; don’t automatically choose chocolate flakes just because of their shape. Jumbo’s product information lists two types of sprinkles with less sugar per 100 g than De Ruijter Royaal Chocoladevlokken, but sprinkles give a different finish, and the variety with the lowest listed sugar content contains maltitols.
You want to use chocolate on or in biscuits and are comparing the nutritional information per 100 g. If sprinkles better suit your sugar target, the classic flake shape doesn’t have to be a deal-breaker.
You’re looking for a chunkier chocolate finish for your biscuits. In that case, shape matters when you choose, but regular flakes aren’t automatically a lower-sugar option.
You’re baking for someone who needs information about milk, soya, gluten or wheat, or you want to know whether a product contains polyols. The current packaging is an important part of your decision.
First decide whether lower sugar in the topping, the flake shape or the ingredients matter most to you. Per 100 g, Jumbo lists 7.7 g of sugars for Céréal Hagelslag Puur, 42.6 g for Jumbo Hagelslag Melk Minder Suiker and 56 g for De Ruijter Royaal Chocoladevlokken. These figures don’t tell you how much you’ll use on a portion of biscuits.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugars in the topping | Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and, for ‘less sugar’ claims, check which product it’s being compared with. | If I want to limit the amount of sugar in my chocolate topping, I give the figure on the label more weight than the shape. For around 50% of consumers, this sugar comparison comes first. |
| Shape and finish | Choose between chunky flakes and finer sprinkles, and decide whether you’ll mix the chocolate into the dough or use it as a topping. | If I want a visible chocolate finish on my biscuits, I’d rather keep the chunkier flake shape. This is the first consideration for around 30% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients list, allergen information and any warning about polyols. | If I’m baking for someone with a relevant allergy or want to avoid polyols, the ingredients need to be suitable first. For around 20% of consumers, checking the ingredients is the deciding factor. |
Jumbo says Jumbo Hagelslag Melk Minder Suiker contains at least 30% less sugar than Jumbo Hagelslag Melk, but it still has 42.6 g of sugars per 100 g.
Read the comparison alongside the claim and use the nutritional information per 100 g to compare products. Then take into account how much you’ll actually put in or on your biscuits.
The alternatives described with a lower listed sugar content are sprinkles, not chocolate flakes. If you search only for products called ‘flakes’, you may miss this other type of topping.
Decide whether you need the chunky flake shape for the finish. If not, compare the nutritional information for sprinkles too.
Jumbo lists maltitols and 40 g of polyols per 100 g for Céréal Hagelslag Puur. The product information warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
As well as checking the sugar content, read the ingredients and usage warning before choosing these sprinkles for your biscuits.
The products described have different declarations for milk, soya, gluten and wheat. A suitable sugar content doesn’t tell you whether a product is safe for someone with an allergy.
When buying, check the ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging of the product you plan to use.
Worth considering if you’re looking for chocolate flakes to use as a visible finish on biscuits. Albert Heijn also describes De Ruijter sprinkles as suitable for baking, but these are not the same product as Royaal Chocoladevlokken.
Worth considering if you’re looking at sprinkles with an explicit lower-sugar comparison rather than chocolate flakes.
PLUS lists Chocoladevlokken puur Fairtrade in a 300 g box. It’s an option to look at if you’re after regular dark chocolate flakes.
No. The shape of a product doesn’t tell you how much sugar it contains. Jumbo lists 56 g of sugars per 100 g for De Ruijter Royaal Chocoladevlokken. If reducing sugar in your topping is your main aim, compare this figure with those for other toppings.
Read the claim alongside the product comparison and the nutritional table. Jumbo compares its Hagelslag Melk Minder Suiker with Jumbo Hagelslag Melk and lists 42.6 g of sugars per 100 g for the lower-sugar variety. So ‘less’ doesn’t mean ‘none’.
Read the ingredients and usage warning, not just the sugar content. Jumbo lists 7.7 g of sugars and 40 g of polyols per 100 g for Céréal Hagelslag Puur, and warns of a possible laxative effect if consumed in excess.
Check the current ingredients list and allergen information for every product you use. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be clearly listed on the label. The toppings discussed here have different declarations for ingredients including milk, soya, gluten and wheat.
