Rusks with Chocolate Sprinkles: Sugar-Free or Less Sugar?

Who is this choice relevant to?

Shoppers looking for strictly sugar-free options

‘Less sugar’ isn’t enough for you. Before considering a spread sugar-free, you check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g.

Breakfast eaters who want less sugar

You want to keep eating chocolate sprinkles, but compare the sugar content. For varieties containing sweeteners, you also check the ingredients, allergens and warnings on the packaging.

Shoppers putting together their first food shop

You choose rusks and toppings as separate products. As well as nutritional information, you want to know which pack size suits how often you’ll use them.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether sugar-free is a strict requirement for you. Then choose your rusks and assess the topping using its own label: a claim on the chocolate sprinkles says nothing about the nutritional value of the whole combination.

What to consider	What to check	Who it matters to
Sugar-free or less sugar	Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. A ‘sugar-free’ claim requires no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g; ‘less sugar’ is a comparison with another product.	If you only want a sugar-free topping, a lower sugar figure on its own isn’t enough. For around 46% of shoppers, this strict requirement comes first.
Ingredients and allergens	Check the ingredients list and allergens. Céréal Hagelslag Melk lists maltitols, milk and soya, as well as a warning about excessive consumption.	You want less sugar, but also need to decide whether the ingredients and warning suit your needs. Around 36% of shoppers say this is their primary consideration.
First food shop	Choose rusks and chocolate sprinkles separately; compare the pack size with how often you expect to use each.	For your first food shop, you don’t want to buy more than you’ll use. A practical combination is the main concern for around 18% of shoppers.

Common mistakes

Taking ‘less sugar’ to mean ‘sugar-free’

The Céréal variety discussed lists 15 g of sugars per 100 g, while the Albert Heijn varieties discussed list 43 g per 100 g. Both figures are above the maximum of 0.5 g per 100 g required for a ‘sugar-free’ claim.

If sugar-free is a strict requirement, start by checking ‘of which sugars’ on the label rather than the comparative claim on the front of the pack.
Looking only at the sugar content

Céréal Hagelslag Melk contains maltitols and lists milk and soya as allergens. The packaging warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

As well as the nutritional information, read the ingredients, allergens and warnings for the variety you’re buying.
Assuming every rusk contains iodine

The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine compounds may be present in bakery products. This doesn’t mean that every rusk contains iodine.

If you need to be sure about a particular rusk, check the product information and contact the manufacturer if necessary.

Brands compared

Céréal

The milk chocolate sprinkles discussed here are an option if you’re looking for less sugar and would consider a variety containing maltitols.

Albert Heijn lists 15 g of sugars per 100 g for Céréal Hagelslag Melk.
This product isn’t sugar-free. It also lists 44 g of polyols per 100 g, milk and soya; Jumbo includes a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

Albert Heijn

The own-brand varieties discussed here are dark and milk chocolate sprinkles, both claiming 30% less sugar than a comparable AH variety.

Albert Heijn’s product information lists 43 g of sugars per 100 g for both varieties discussed.
Neither variety is sugar-free. Check the allergens on the packaging you choose, too.

De Ruijter

The Specials Hagelslag Intens Puur discussed here may be of interest if you’re looking for a dark variety with a stated cocoa percentage.

Albert Heijn lists at least 52% cocoa solids for this variety.
The same product information lists 43 g of sugars per 100 g. The ‘Intens Puur’ name doesn’t make this variety sugar-free.

Venz

The milk chocolate sprinkles discussed here are a standard variety for shoppers who aren’t specifically looking to reduce their sugar intake.

Albert Heijn lists at least 20% cocoa solids for this variety.
The listed figure of 69 g of sugars per 100 g isn’t suitable for a sugar-free choice.

Joybuy products

Frequently asked questions

Are chocolate sprinkles with less sugar also sugar-free?

No, the two terms don’t mean the same thing. A ‘sugar-free’ claim requires no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g; the Céréal Hagelslag Melk discussed here lists 15 g per 100 g, while the Albert Heijn varieties discussed list 43 g per 100 g.

Which of the chocolate sprinkles discussed has the lowest sugar content?

Of the varieties discussed, Céréal Hagelslag Melk has the lowest listed figure: according to Albert Heijn’s product information, it contains 15 g of sugars per 100 g. That doesn’t make the product sugar-free.

What should I look for in chocolate sprinkles containing maltitols?

Check the ingredients, allergens and warnings as well as the sugar content. Céréal Hagelslag Melk lists milk, soya and 44 g of polyols per 100 g; Jumbo says excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

Does every rusk contain iodine through baker’s salt?

Don’t assume so without checking the product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine compounds may be present in bakery products. For a particular rusk, check the product information or ask the manufacturer.

How should I store chocolate sprinkles after my first food shop?

Follow the storage instructions on the packaging of the variety you buy. The product information for the Céréal and Albert Heijn varieties discussed says to store them in a dry place; also check the best-before date on the packaging.