Label checkers keeping an eye on sugar
You’re looking for a less sweet option to take with you and comparing sugars and any added sugars per 100 g. A low figure on its own is not the same as a substantiated ‘reduced in sugar’ claim.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Shoppers who also consider fibre and wholegrain
As well as sugar, you want to know which grains are used and how much fibre the product contains. Albert Heijn lists 26 g of fibre per 100 g for Wasa Vezelrijk and 12 g per 100 g for AH Knäckebröd Volkoren; these figures apply to these variants.
Shoppers who consider allergens and salt
If others will be eating too, the ingredients and allergen information may determine your choice. The Wasa and AH variants listed by Albert Heijn contain, among other things, cereals containing gluten and sesame; their salt levels also differ.
What should you look for when choosing?
Decide what matters most for the procession, then compare the nutritional information for that exact variant. Use the same per-100 g basis for sugar, fibre and salt, and check the allergens on the pack you buy.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Sugars | Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and check any added sugars separately. If the pack says ‘reduced in sugar’, check what it is being compared with. | I mainly want a less sweet option to take with me and don’t want to confuse a low figure with a sugar-reduction claim. Around 40% of consumers prioritise the sugar value. |
| Fibre and wholegrain | Check which grains are used in the ingredients list and compare fibre per 100 g. | The type of grain and fibre matter to me, even if another pack has a lower sugar value. For around 30% of consumers, this is their first consideration. |
| Allergens and salt | Read the allergen information for the variant you’ve chosen and compare salt per 100 g. | If I’m serving crispbread to others, I first need to know whether they can eat the ingredients; salt content matters too. This is the main priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Practical choice | Use the shop shelf or range to find a variant, then read the nutritional information on the packaging before buying. | I want to pick up a pack for the procession in good time, but I won’t know if it suits my needs until I’ve read the label. Around 10% of consumers give this practical step priority. |
Common mistakes
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Taking a low sugar value to mean ‘reduced in sugar’
A figure per 100 g tells you how much sugar the product contains, but not how much less it has than a similar product. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘reduced in sugar’ means at least 30% less sugar than a similar product.
Compare sugar values objectively, and if the packaging makes a claim, check what comparison it is based on.
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Focusing only on ‘wholegrain’ or fibre
These features don’t replace the sugar and salt values. Albert Heijn lists different figures per 100 g for Wasa Vezelrijk and AH Knäckebröd Volkoren.
Read the nutritional information and ingredients together, using the same per-100 g basis.
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Overlooking allergens when buying for others
The Wasa and AH variants listed contain cereals containing gluten and sesame. A brand name or the word ‘wholegrain’ won’t tell you which allergens a specific variant contains.
Check the allergen information on the pack before buying and serving.
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Mistaking a shop listing for a nutritional comparison
You can only assess a listed variant’s sugar, fibre and salt once you’ve read that product’s nutritional information.
If you’re looking at a shop listing, check the current label before deciding.
Brands and shops to compare
Wasa
Wasa Vezelrijk is a specific variant you can compare for sugar, fibre, salt and ingredients; its figures don’t automatically apply to other Wasa crispbreads.
- Albert Heijn lists 2 g of sugars and 26 g of fibre per 100 g for Wasa Vezelrijk.
- The same product listing gives 1.2 g of salt per 100 g and lists ingredients including rye, wheat, oats and sesame.
Albert Heijn
AH Knäckebröd Volkoren is a supermarket own-brand variant that lists total and added sugars separately.
- The product page lists 3.4 g of sugars per 100 g, of which 1.7 g are added sugars, and 12 g of fibre.
- The variant contains, among other things, wheat, rye and sesame. Check the current label if the ingredients or allergens will determine your choice.
Lidl
Lidl lists a wholegrain crispbread variant, as well as sunflower seed and pumpkin seed variants, as shop products.
- You can check the packaging of the variant available in store.
- First check its sugars, fibre, salt and allergens before comparing it with another crispbread.
Crispbread and crackers on Joybuy
These products give you a starting point for comparing crispbread and a cracker variant for the Sinterklaas procession. Before choosing, check the sugars per 100 g and also look at the other nutritional information and allergens on the pack you select.
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Bolletje wholegrain crispbread, 265 g
An option if you’re looking for a wholegrain base for the procession. Compare the sugars per 100 g and check the allergens on the packaging before serving it to others.
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Wasa High-Fiber Crackers, 300 g
For anyone who wants to compare sugar and fibre in a Wasa variant. Check the current label for salt and allergens too.
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g'woon wholegrain crispbread, 375 g
A wholegrain variant to compare if you also want to consider the type of grain and fibre. Check the sugar value per 100 g and the allergens on the pack you buy.
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Wasa Rustic crispbread, 215 g
Another Wasa variant to compare if you want to check the sugar and salt in several packs. Assess both values per 100 g and check the allergens before serving.
Frequently asked questions
Does a low sugar value automatically mean ‘reduced in sugar’?
No. A low sugar value doesn’t show how much less sugar a product contains than a similar product. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘reduced in sugar’ means at least 30% less sugar than a similar product, so check what the claim is comparing it with.
Should I compare crispbread per serving or per 100 g?
Compare sugars, fibre and salt per 100 g first, so you’re comparing different packs on the same basis. Then consider how much you’ll actually serve; serving sizes can vary between products.
Is crispbread automatically gluten-free or sesame-free?
No. The Wasa Vezelrijk and AH Knäckebröd Volkoren variants listed by Albert Heijn contain cereals containing gluten and sesame. If you’re buying for yourself or others, read the allergen information for the specific pack.