Who is this distinction important for?

People with a strict sugar-free requirement

For you, ‘lower in sugars’ isn’t enough. You want to check the label and make sure the topping meets the threshold for the ‘sugar-free’ claim.

People looking to cut down on sugar

You’re looking for a chocolate topping for bread, yoghurt or a Valentine’s Day dessert, and you’re happy to use chocolate sprinkles instead of flakes. Sugars per 100 g still matter, even when the packaging says ‘less sugar’.

People who check ingredients

Before using your chosen product, you check its ingredients and allergens, perhaps because of milk, soya, cereals containing gluten or polyols. A ‘may contain’ statement could also affect your choice.

What should you look for when choosing?

Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, a solid food can only be called ‘sugar-free’ if it contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. First decide whether that’s a firm requirement. Then check whether chocolate sprinkles would work in your dish, and finally check the ingredients on the packaging you choose.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Truly sugar-free Check the claim and the amount of sugars per 100 g on the current label. For a solid topping, the limit is 0.5 g per 100 g. If I want sugar-free chocolate flakes for breakfast, packaging that only says ‘less sugar’ isn’t enough. For around 46% of consumers, meeting this strict requirement comes first.
Less sugar, a different type Compare sugars per 100 g and check whether the product is flakes or chocolate sprinkles. If it contains polyols, read the usage warning too. For my Valentine’s Day dessert, I’m happy to forgo the texture of flakes if it means I can choose a lower-sugar topping. Around 36% of consumers say they prioritise this trade-off.
Ingredients and allergens Read the ingredients list, allergen information and any ‘may contain’ statement for the exact product you’re buying. When I’m preparing a topping for someone else, I want to know what’s in it before I use it. For around 18% of consumers, this information is the most important factor.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘less sugar’ means ‘sugar-free’

    Albert Heijn lists 7.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Céréal Hagelslag puur minder suikers. That’s above the 0.5 g per 100 g limit for the ‘sugar-free’ claim under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.

    Before buying, decide whether you need a product labelled ‘sugar-free’ or are simply looking for a lower-sugar topping. Either way, check the nutritional information on the packaging.

  • Treating chocolate sprinkles and all types of flakes as the same

    Céréal Hagelslag puur minder suikers is chocolate sprinkles, not chocolate flakes. The seven-grain flakes listed by PLUS aren’t a chocolate topping either.

    Check the product type as well as the nutritional information to make sure it’s right for your bread, yoghurt, dessert or baking.

  • Leaving the ingredients check until after you buy

    According to Albert Heijn, Céréal chocolate sprinkles contain maltitol and soya, and may contain milk. Albert Heijn also warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. The ingredients and allergens in regular flakes also vary by product.

    Check the current ingredients list, allergen information and warnings for the product you actually intend to use.

  • Relying on an online search result as if it were the label

    Lidl Netherlands says it doesn’t publish an online list of ingredients, allergens and nutritional values for food products. A search result therefore won’t tell you whether a particular pack meets a sugar-free requirement.

    Check the packaging in store or ask for the product information before making your choice.

Relevant brands and product ranges

Céréal

An option in chocolate-sprinkle form for anyone looking to cut down on sugar who isn’t set on chocolate flakes.

  • Albert Heijn lists 7.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Céréal Hagelslag puur minder suikers.
  • This isn’t a sugar-free topping. It contains maltitol and soya, and may contain milk.

De Ruijter

Chocolate flakes in a range of varieties for anyone specifically looking for flakes.

  • Albert Heijn and Jumbo list De Ruijter milk and dark chocolate flakes, among other varieties; PLUS lists white flakes.
  • If sugar-free is a requirement, don’t choose a product based on the brand name alone. Check the claim and sugars per 100 g.

Choca

Regular chocolate flakes, not intended as a replacement for a sugar-free topping.

  • Jumbo lists Choca Vlokken in a 200 g pack.
  • Jumbo lists 71 g of sugars per 100 g. Check the ingredients and allergens for this product too.

Jumbo

Milk chocolate flakes for anyone who doesn’t need to strictly limit their sugar intake.

  • Jumbo lists Chocolade Vlokken Melk in a 300 g pack.
  • Jumbo lists 66.2 g of sugars per 100 g. This product contains milk and doesn’t meet a sugar-free requirement.

Products at Joybuy

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

When can a chocolate topping be called sugar-free?

Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, a solid topping can only carry the ‘sugar-free’ claim if it contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. Check the nutritional information: ‘less sugar’ and ‘no added sugars’ don’t automatically mean the same thing.

Is Céréal Hagelslag puur minder suikers sugar-free?

No. Albert Heijn lists 7.7 g of sugars per 100 g for these chocolate sprinkles, which is above the 0.5 g per 100 g limit for the ‘sugar-free’ claim. They’re also chocolate sprinkles, not chocolate flakes.

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

Read the usage warning on the packaging. For Céréal Hagelslag puur minder suikers, Albert Heijn says that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Also check the ingredients and allergens for the current product.

Which allergens should I check for in these toppings?

It varies by product. According to the product information, Céréal Hagelslag puur minder suikers contains soya and may contain milk; Choca Vlokken lists soya and cereals containing gluten, among other ingredients, while Jumbo Chocolade Vlokken Melk contains milk. Always check the label on the pack you’ve chosen before buying and using it.