If you want to offer sugar-free chocolate sprinkles at a neighbourhood get-together, don’t choose the lower-sugar options discussed here. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, a product can only be described as sugar-free if it contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. Albert Heijn and Jumbo list 7.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Céréal Hagelslag Puur, while Albert Heijn lists 43 g per 100 g for AH Hagelslag Puur Minder Suiker. If lower sugar is enough, compare the figures per 100 g. And if you’re sharing the product, check the ingredients, allergens and warnings on the packaging too.
You want to describe chocolate sprinkles as sugar-free at a get-together only if the claim is accurate. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the product must contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. The lower-sugar Céréal and AH options mentioned here exceed that limit.
You’re happy for the chocolate sprinkles to contain some sugars, but want to compare the nutritional information for different options. Jumbo lists 7.7 g of sugars and 40 g of polyols per 100 g for Céréal Hagelslag Puur; Albert Heijn lists 43 g of sugars per 100 g for AH Hagelslag Puur Minder Suiker. So look beyond the sugar-reduction claim on the front of the pack.
If several neighbours will be sharing the same chocolate sprinkles, it’s important to have the ingredients and allergen information available in advance. Céréal lists soya, possible traces of milk and a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. For its lower-sugar option, Albert Heijn lists milk and lactose.
First decide whether sugar-free is a strict requirement. If lower sugar is enough, compare the nutritional information. For a neighbourhood get-together, you should also consider what guests need to know about the ingredients and allergens.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Strictly sugar-free | Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, a product must contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g to carry the ‘sugar-free’ claim. | If I offer something as sugar-free, I want to be sure the label justifies the claim. For around 42% of consumers, this strict requirement matters most. |
| Lower in sugar | Compare sugars and energy per 100 g, and check what the reduction claim is comparing the product with. | I don’t necessarily need a sugar-free product, but I do want to know how much sugar the chocolate sprinkles contain. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this reduction. |
| Information for guests | Check the latest ingredients and allergen information, and read any warnings about polyols. | When I’m sharing food with neighbours, I want them to be able to see for themselves which ingredients and warnings are relevant to them. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this. |
A sugar-reduction claim doesn’t mean that the product contains no sugars. Jumbo lists 7.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Céréal Hagelslag Puur; Albert Heijn lists 43 g per 100 g for AH Hagelslag Puur Minder Suiker. Both exceed the EU limit for the ‘sugar-free’ claim.
If you have a strict requirement, check the sugars per 100 g on the current label, rather than relying solely on the wording on the front of the pack.
For Céréal Hagelslag Puur, Jumbo lists 40 g of polyols per 100 g and a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, high intakes of polyols can cause wind and diarrhoea in some people.
Leave the packaging next to the product so guests can read the ingredients and warning.
Céréal’s product information lists soya and possible traces of milk; the information for AH Hagelslag Puur Minder Suiker lists milk and lactose. The word ‘pure’ doesn’t tell guests which allergens they need to consider.
Read the packaging of the product you actually buy and make the allergen information available to your guests.
Jumbo says that Jumbo Hagelslag Melk Minder Suiker 200 g is no longer part of its online range. An old listing doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be able to buy the same product for your get-together.
Check current availability and the label before basing your choice on a specific option.
These product ranges show why ‘lower in sugar’ and ‘sugar-free’ are different choices. Compare the specific product and the packaging you’re buying, rather than looking at the brand name alone.
For Céréal Hagelslag Puur 200 g, Jumbo lists 7.7 g of sugars and 40 g of polyols per 100 g. Albert Heijn advertises an 88% reduction in sugars compared with standard dark chocolate sprinkles.
For AH Hagelslag Puur Minder Suiker 250 g, Albert Heijn advertises 30% less sugar than AH Chocolade Hagel Puur and lists 43 g of sugars per 100 g.
The product information for Jumbo Hagelslag Melk Minder Suiker 200 g states that it contains 30% less sugar than regular Jumbo milk chocolate sprinkles and lists 42.6 g of sugars per 100 g.
Albert Heijn has a product listing for Venz Hagelslag Melk 30% Minder Suiker.
Jumbo lists regular dark and milk chocolate sprinkles from De Ruijter; ALDI also lists a milk or dark chocolate option.
Lidl lists Mister CHOC Hagelslag puur 600 g as an in-store product; ALDI lists Kiekeboe Hagelslag puur 600 g. These are two separate regular products.
No. Jumbo lists 7.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Céréal Hagelslag Puur, while EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 allows a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g for the ‘sugar-free’ claim. So it isn’t suitable to offer as sugar-free.
Not necessarily: a sugar-reduction claim says nothing about the energy content. The product information from Jumbo and Albert Heijn lists 388 kcal per 100 g for Céréal Hagelslag Puur and 431 kcal per 100 g for AH Hagelslag Puur Minder Suiker. Compare the energy per 100 g for the options you’re considering.
Céréal Hagelslag Puur carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that high intakes of polyols can cause wind and diarrhoea in some people. So let guests read the ingredients and warning on the packaging.
Céréal Hagelslag Puur lists soya and may contain milk; for AH Hagelslag Puur Minder Suiker, Albert Heijn lists milk and lactose. Check the allergen information on the packaging you buy for your neighbourhood get-together.
