Who does it matter to?

Shoppers looking for genuinely sugar-free options

You want Dutch breakfast cake that meets the threshold for the ‘sugar-free’ claim. ‘No added sugars’ doesn’t mean the same thing for your needs.

Home workers looking to avoid added sugars

You’re after a quick addition to your lunch and are happy with naturally occurring sugars. You still check which sweeteners and other ingredients the product contains.

Shoppers who pay attention to portions and ingredients

You want to be able to set out a slice easily, and check whether rye, other gluten-containing cereals or listed allergens are suitable for you.

What should you look for in Dutch breakfast cake?

First decide whether you really mean sugar-free. Then check the ingredients and choose a pack that suits your lunch break.

What to look for What to check when buying Who it matters to
Sugar-free or no added sugars Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, Dutch breakfast cake can contain no more than 0.5 g per 100 g to be labelled ‘sugar-free’. If I’m looking for genuinely sugar-free Dutch breakfast cake, a ‘zero’ name alone isn’t enough. Around 42% of consumers put actual sugar-free status first.
Sweeteners and allergens Check the ingredients and allergen information for rye, other gluten-containing cereals and sweeteners such as xylitol. If I need to watch certain ingredients, I want to know what the cake contains before buying. This check comes first for around 33% of consumers.
Portion and packaging Compare the weight of each slice with the total pack size, and check whether the slices are individually wrapped. For my lunch break, I want to be able to set out or take along a slice easily. Convenient portions come first for around 25% of consumers.

Pitfalls when choosing

  • Reading ‘no added sugars’ as ‘sugar-free’

    These claims don’t mean the same thing. The AH and PLUS zero breakfast cakes described here, and Peijnenburg’s plain no-added-sugars variety, each list 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g.

    If sugar-free is a must, check the nutrition table to make sure the product contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g.

  • Only reading the front of the pack

    A ‘zero’ label doesn’t tell you whether a product contains rye, other allergens or sweeteners. Some products containing polyols also carry a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

    Check the latest ingredients list, allergen information and any usage warnings before you choose.

  • Confusing pack size with portion size

    A large sliced cake and individually wrapped slices call for different lunch plans. For example, Jumbo describes a Peijnenburg pack containing eight individually wrapped 28 g slices.

    Check the weight of each slice and choose the type of packaging you’ll actually want to use for lunch.

  • Applying the baker’s salt rule to every product

    According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, iodine compounds may be added to bakery products via baker’s salt. This doesn’t mean that a particular Dutch breakfast cake contains baker’s salt or a specific amount of iodine.

    Check the ingredients list or ask the manufacturer if this matters to your choice of product.

Brands and relevant varieties

The product names below range from Dutch breakfast cake to spiced cake. So compare the nutritional information for the specific variety, rather than relying on the ‘zero’ label on the pack alone.

Peijnenburg

Peijnenburg offers Dutch breakfast cake with no added sugars, including sliced and individually wrapped varieties.

  • Peijnenburg lists 17 g of fibre per 100 g for its sliced plain variety.
  • That same variety contains 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g, so it isn’t sugar-free.

AH

AH Ontbijtkoek zero gesneden is a 485 g pack.

  • Albert Heijn lists 0 g of added sugars per 100 g for this variety.
  • The product also lists 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g; check the ingredients and allergens on the current packaging.

PLUS

PLUS Ontbijtkoek Zero gesneden is a 485 g wrapped loaf for enjoying at home.

  • PLUS lists 0 g of added sugars per 100 g.
  • According to PLUS, this variety contains 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g and may contain wheat, barley and oats.

Snelle Jelle

Snelle Jelle Zero Kruidkoek is a spiced cake sold in a pack of four, not a variety of Dutch breakfast cake.

  • The individual portions may suit you if you want to set aside a clearly defined portion for lunch.
  • Jumbo lists 4.9 g of sugars and 23 g of polyols per 100 g, with a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

Koek & Bakker

At ALDI, Koek & Bakker offers a pre-sliced 485 g Ontbijtkoek Zero.

  • ALDI describes this variety as Dutch breakfast cake with no added sugars.
  • Before choosing, check the sugars per 100 g and the allergens on the packaging.

Dutch breakfast cake on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is zero Dutch breakfast cake the same as sugar-free Dutch breakfast cake?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, Dutch breakfast cake labelled ‘sugar-free’ can contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. The AH and PLUS zero varieties described here list 4.9 g per 100 g, so ‘no added sugars’ doesn’t mean it contains no sugars.

How do I compare Dutch breakfast cakes when the slices are different sizes?

Start by comparing the nutritional values per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends using this measure because manufacturers set their own portion sizes. Then check the weight of a slice if you want to work out how much to have with lunch.

Can I rely on the ‘zero’ label if I have an allergy?

No. Check the ingredients and allergens for the specific variety. The products described here include rye or may contain other gluten-containing cereals; the relevant allergens vary by product. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens that must be declared have to be clearly identified in the ingredients list.

Does Dutch breakfast cake in the Netherlands always contain iodine from baker’s salt?

No, that doesn’t follow from the general rule for bakery products. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine compounds may be added via baker’s salt, but that doesn’t confirm whether this has been done in a particular Dutch breakfast cake. Check the ingredients or ask the manufacturer if this matters to your choice.