Which option is right for you?

If you’re looking for a strictly sugar-free option

Chocolate sprinkles labelled only ‘less sugar’ won’t meet your needs. Check the amount of sugars per 100 g before choosing a pack for your King’s Day breakfast.

If you want to cut down on sugar

You’re happy to accept some residual sugars if the nutritional values suit you. Check the ingredients too, as reduced-sugar options may contain polyols.

If you mainly want to serve chocolate sprinkles

Whether they’re for bread, yoghurt or baked goods, a familiar option may be your first choice. Even then, check the sugar content and allergens, especially if you’re sharing breakfast with guests.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether sugar-free is a must for your King’s Day breakfast. Then compare the nutritional values and ingredients of the packs you’re considering.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this important for?
Truly sugar-free Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. For the ‘sugar-free’ claim, the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 sets a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g of solid food. If sugar-free is a must for my breakfast, I don’t want to rely on a ‘less sugar’ claim. Around 46% of these consumers prioritise products that are genuinely sugar-free.
Residual sugars Compare the grams of sugars per 100 g; read any reduction percentage alongside the product it is being compared with. I want to choose less sugar, but the product doesn’t have to be literally sugar-free. For roughly 36% of these consumers, the amount of residual sugars is the first thing they consider.
Ingredients when serving Check for sweeteners or polyols, allergens and any warnings on the pack you choose. For a shared King’s Day breakfast, I mainly want to serve chocolate sprinkles that suit my guests. Taste and how the product will be used are the priorities for around 18% of these consumers, but that doesn’t mean they skip checking the ingredients.

Common mistakes

  • Reading ‘less sugar’ as ‘sugar-free’

    Albert Heijn lists 43 g of sugars per 100 g for AH Puur Minder Suiker; Jumbo lists 42.6 g per 100 g for Melk Minder Suiker. A relative reduction in sugar doesn’t make these products sugar-free.

    If sugar-free is a must for you, first check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g on the current label.

  • Looking only at the percentage reduction

    Céréal says Puur contains 88% less sugars than a comparable standard product, but the amount listed is still 7.7 g of sugars per 100 g. The percentage describes a comparison, not the absolute sugar content.

    First compare products on the same basis, per 100 g, then use the reduction claim as additional information.

  • Skipping the ingredients when sharing breakfast

    Céréal Puur’s product information lists polyols and soya, and says the product may contain milk. Jumbo warns that excessive consumption of this variant may have a laxative effect.

    Before serving, check the ingredients, allergen information and warnings on the pack you’re using.

Brands compared

The nutritional values listed apply to these specific variants, not to every type of chocolate sprinkles from each brand.

Céréal

A brand to compare if you’re looking for chocolate sprinkles with less sugar and don’t need a sugar-free product.

  • Céréal lists 7.7 g of sugars and 40 g of polyols per 100 g for Puur; for Melk, the brand lists 15 g of sugars and 44 g of polyols per 100 g.
  • Neither of these listed sugar values meets the 0.5 g per 100 g limit for the ‘sugar-free’ claim. For Puur, also check the soya information and the note that it may contain milk.

Albert Heijn

The own-brand range includes chocolate sprinkles labelled as having less sugar.

  • Albert Heijn says AH Puur Minder Suiker contains 30% less sugar than its regular AH equivalent.
  • AH Puur Minder Suiker still contains 43 g of sugars per 100 g, so it isn’t a sugar-free option.

Jumbo

Jumbo Melk Minder Suiker is a milk chocolate option to compare based on its absolute sugar content.

  • Jumbo lists 42.6 g of sugars per 100 g for this variant and says it contains at least 30% less sugar than Jumbo Hagelslag Melk.
  • The listed sugar content doesn’t meet the requirements for a sugar-free claim. Check the current packaging and availability of the variant you want to buy.

De Ruijter

Royaal Extra Puur is an example of regular dark chocolate sprinkles for anyone who isn’t specifically looking for a sugar-free option.

  • Albert Heijn lists at least 43% cocoa solids for Royaal Extra Puur.
  • The same product information lists 54 g of sugars per 100 g. ‘Extra dark’ therefore doesn’t mean this variant is sugar-free.

Venz

The milk and vanilla variant is a regular flavour option, not a substitute for sugar-free chocolate sprinkles.

  • The combination of milk and vanilla flavours may suit you if that’s what you want to serve for your King’s Day breakfast.
  • The nutritional information for this Venz variant listed by Joybuy gives 77 g of sugars per 100 g.

Joybuy products

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are chocolate sprinkles labelled ‘less sugar’ also sugar-free?

No. A ‘less sugar’ claim compares a product with another product. For the ‘sugar-free’ claim, the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 sets a limit of no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g for solid food; check the nutrition table to see whether a product meets it.

Is Céréal Puur sugar-free?

No. Céréal lists 7.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Puur, which is above the limit for the ‘sugar-free’ claim. Céréal says the variant contains 88% less sugars than a comparable standard product; this relative claim doesn’t change the absolute sugar content.

What should I check when serving chocolate sprinkles containing polyols?

Read the ingredients, allergen information and warnings on the pack you choose. Céréal Puur lists polyols and soya, and may contain milk; Jumbo warns that excessive consumption of this variant may have a laxative effect.

How do I compare the nutritional values of two types of chocolate sprinkles?

First compare the values per 100 g, so you’re comparing like with like even if the packs are different sizes. Then consider how much you plan to use and check the current nutritional information on the packaging.