Who is this relevant for?

Shoppers looking for lower-sugar treats

You compare the stated sugar content of chocolate sprinkles for the Sinterklaas parade and are happy to consider sprinkles or chunks if you don’t need the light, airy shape of flakes.

Families who want classic flakes

You’re looking for chocolate flakes for bread, crispbread or baking, and want to know whether a dark variety also suits your aim to choose something with less sugar.

Shoppers who check ingredients

You’re sharing treats with children or guests and want to check in advance which allergens and sweeteners a product contains, as well as any warnings on the packaging.

What should you look for when choosing?

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Sugar content Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g, and check which product is used as the basis for any claim. I mainly want less stated sugar in the treat, and am happy to choose sprinkles instead of flakes. Sugar content is the top priority for around 42% of consumers.
Ingredients and warnings Read the current allergen information and check for maltitol and any usage warnings. If I’m handing something out, I want to know in advance which allergens and sweeteners it contains. For around 33% of consumers, checking the ingredients comes first.
Shape and how you’ll use it Check whether the packaging says flakes, sprinkles or chunks, and whether that shape works for bread or decoration. I want to keep the light texture on bread or crispbread, even if a lower-sugar alternative comes in a different shape. Around 25% of consumers prioritise the flake shape.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘dark’ means ‘less sugar’

    According to the Albert Heijn and Jumbo product pages, their standard dark chocolate flakes from De Ruijter and Jumbo contain 63 g and 63.7 g of sugars per 100 g, respectively. So the flavour description doesn’t tell you how much sugar a product contains.

    Compare the nutritional information per 100 g for the products you’re considering, rather than relying on the name on the front of the pack.

  • Buying a different shape from the one you need

    Céréal Hagelslag puur minder suikers is chocolate sprinkles, while ahead Choco Chunks are larger pieces. Neither has the light, airy shape of chocolate flakes.

    Decide whether you want sprinkles for bread or crispbread, or pieces for decoration, and check the product’s shape before you buy.

  • Looking only at the sugar content

    The product information for Céréal Hagelslag puur minder suikers and ahead Choco Chunks lists maltitol and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. The allergens listed, and the possibility of traces, vary by product.

    If you’re preparing a treat for others, read the current ingredients list, allergen information and warnings on the packaging.

  • Assuming an old product listing is still a buying option

    Albert Heijn lists De Ruijter Special vlokken intens puur as ‘discontinued’. The nutritional information shown doesn’t make it a current buying option at that retailer.

    Check that a variety is available and read its packaging before choosing it for the parade.

Relevant brands to compare

Céréal

Worth considering if sprinkles will work for you and you want to compare the sugar content of a specific product with that of flakes.

  • Albert Heijn lists 7.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Céréal Hagelslag puur minder suikers.
  • This product is chocolate sprinkles and contains maltitol and soya; it may contain milk. The packaging warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

De Ruijter

Worth considering when the traditional shape of chocolate flakes is your priority.

  • De Ruijter Chocolade vlokken puur has the flake shape you’re looking for.
  • Albert Heijn lists 63 g of sugars per 100 g for this standard dark variety. The Special vlokken intens puur listed there is marked as ‘discontinued’.

ahead

Worth considering if larger pieces of chocolate would work as decoration for your treat.

  • ahead lists 6.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Zebra Choco Chunks.
  • Chunks aren’t flakes. According to the product information, they contain maltitol, may contain traces of soya and nuts, and excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

Related products at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Do dark chocolate flakes automatically contain less sugar?

No. Albert Heijn lists 63 g of sugars per 100 g for De Ruijter Chocolade vlokken puur, while Jumbo lists 63.7 g per 100 g for its dark chocolate flakes. Compare the nutritional information for the exact variety, rather than relying on the word ‘dark’.

Can I use lower-sugar sprinkles instead of chocolate flakes?

Yes, if the shape of the sprinkles works for what you’re making. Albert Heijn lists 7.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Céréal Hagelslag puur minder suikers, but it doesn’t have the light, airy texture of flakes.

Why do some products carry a warning about maltitol?

The product information for Céréal Hagelslag puur minder suikers and ahead Choco Chunks states that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Read the warning on the packaging when deciding how much to serve in a treat.

Where can I check which allergens chocolate sprinkles contain?

Check the allergen information and ingredients list on the current packaging of the specific product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes the mandatory labelling requirements for 14 specified allergens; the allergens relevant to you will vary by product.