Festive shoppers watching their sugar intake
You’re looking for crushed aniseed sprinkles for New Year’s Eve, but want to check the label first to see whether a product really contains less sugar.
Who is this choice for?
Fans of a familiar topping
You want to keep that aniseed flavour and easy-to-sprinkle texture, so you’d rather use a measured amount of regular crushed aniseed sprinkles than choose a different topping.
Shoppers serving guests
You want to check the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging before serving. Albert Heijn points out that product information can change.
What should you look for when buying?
Decide whether lower sugar, the ingredients your guests need to know about or the amount you need for one celebration matters most. Then check the relevant information.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Proven lower sugar content | Read what the claim refers to and compare the sugars per 100 g with regular crushed aniseed sprinkles. | If I’m choosing a product with less sugar, I want to know whether the sugar content itself is lower. This is the top priority for around 50% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current packaging, even if you ordered the product online. | When I’m serving something to guests, I need to be able to take their ingredient or allergen restrictions into account. This check is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Amount needed for the occasion | Check the net weight and decide how much you want to use as a topping. | For a single celebration, I want that familiar flavour without buying more than I expect to use. Getting the amount right is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming ‘light’ means ‘less sugar’
According to the Voedingscentrum, ‘light’ can mean lower in energy, fat or sugar. So, on its own, the term doesn’t tell you which of the three has been reduced.
Read the exact claim and compare the sugars per 100 g if you’re looking to reduce your sugar intake.
-
Assuming a measured portion means the product contains less sugar
Using less of a regular product doesn’t change its composition. Albert Heijn and Jumbo list De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes as a 270 g product; the pack size says nothing about whether its sugar content has been reduced.
Think of portion control as a separate choice, and check the label to assess any claim about lower sugar.
-
Relying on old product information when serving guests
Ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change. That’s why Albert Heijn recommends checking the packaging.
Check the packaging when your order arrives and again before serving the crushed aniseed sprinkles.
-
Buying more than you’ll use in one evening
If you’re only using crushed aniseed sprinkles as a topping for New Year’s Eve, you may have some left over.
Decide roughly how much you’ll need beforehand, then check the net weight.
Brands to consider
De Ruijter
Albert Heijn and Jumbo list De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes in a 270 g pack.
- The product name and net weight give you a clear starting point for working out how much you need.
- The brand name or pack size doesn’t support a claim about lower sugar. Check the current packaging and compare it with a regular product.
Related products at Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Can I call crushed aniseed sprinkles with a lower sugar value ‘lower in sugar’ straight away?
No, a single sugar value isn’t enough to make that claim. Compare the sugars per 100 g with a similar regular product and check exactly what the packaging says has been reduced.
Does ‘light’ always mean less sugar in crushed aniseed sprinkles?
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, ‘light’ can refer to lower energy, fat or sugar. If sugar is the deciding factor for you, check which component the packaging says has been reduced.
Why should I check the packaging after ordering online?
The packaging gives you the current ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information. Albert Heijn warns that this product information can change, which is especially important if you’re serving the crushed aniseed sprinkles to guests.
Does a small portion of regular crushed aniseed sprinkles contain less sugar per 100 g?
No, a smaller portion doesn’t change the product’s sugar value per 100 g. You’re simply using less of the same product; that’s different from choosing a version whose composition contains less sugar.