Label-conscious soup lovers
You’re looking for Dutch spiced breakfast cake to go with pea soup and want to know whether zero, no added sugars and sugar-free all mean the same thing.
Who might find this choice relevant?
Wholemeal rye cake fans
You compare wholemeal rye and fibre, while also checking the sugars and polyols.
Portion and convenience seekers
You want to take Dutch spiced breakfast cake with you or choose pre-portioned pieces, so you compare the packaging and ingredients.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start by distinguishing between total sugars and added sugars. Then compare products per 100 g, focusing on what matters most to you: wholemeal ingredients and fibre, portion size or being able to read the label before you buy.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| What the sugar claim means | Read the exact claim and compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g; zero does not automatically mean sugar-free. | I don’t want to choose a cake to go with pea soup and misjudge its total sugar content. Checking the claim comes first for around 33% of consumers. |
| Wholemeal ingredients and fibre | Check the ingredients and compare the fibre content per 100 g on a like-for-like basis. | If I’m mainly looking for wholemeal rye, I want to be able to confirm that on the label. This is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Portions and convenience | Compare the number of individually wrapped portions and the amount per piece; also read the sweetener warnings. | I take a piece of cake with me and don’t want to keep cutting slices from a large cake. Convenience is the deciding factor for around 25% of consumers. |
| Shop and label | Check where the cake is available, then read the nutrition information, ingredients and allergens on the packaging. | I want to be able to choose from my usual shop, but I also want to know exactly what’s in the cake. This matters most to around 17% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming zero means sugar-free
Under EU Regulation 1924/2006, a solid food can only be described as sugar-free if it contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. Jumbo lists 4.9 g per 100 g for the Peijnenburg version examined; PLUS lists the same amount for PLUS Zero and Snelle Jelle Zero.
Decide whether you’re looking for no added sugars or a product that meets the sugar-free limit. Then check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g.
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Overlooking sweeteners and polyols
The Peijnenburg and Snelle Jelle versions examined contain xylitol. Their product information warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
As well as checking the sugar claim, read the ingredients and the warning on the packaging, especially if you’re choosing an individually wrapped portion.
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Confusing a sugar claim with a gluten-free claim
The Peijnenburg version examined contains rye; the product information for PLUS Zero and Snelle Jelle Zero also lists rye and notes that other cereals containing gluten may be present.
If you need to avoid cereals containing gluten, check the allergen information for the specific product rather than relying on the zero label.
Brands to consider
Peijnenburg
Peijnenburg offers, among other products, a sliced wholemeal spiced breakfast cake with no added sugars.
- For the wholemeal version examined, Jumbo lists 17 g of fibre and 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g.
- The same version contains rye, xylitol and 24 g of polyols per 100 g; no added sugars does not mean sugar-free in this case.
PLUS
PLUS offers a 485 g sliced Ontbijtkoek Zero.
- PLUS lists 0 g of added sugars, 4.9 g of sugars and 15.6 g of fibre per 100 g for this version.
- The ingredients include rye and xylitol; according to the product information, the cake may also contain other cereals containing gluten.
Koek & Bakker
ALDI describes Koek & Bakker Ontbijtkoek Zero as a 485 g pre-sliced cake with no added sugars.
- The pre-sliced format makes it easy to compare with other large packs.
- In store, check the nutrition information, ingredients and allergens before comparing this version with another zero cake.
Lidl
Lidl lists a 485 g Ontbijtkoek zero, available in store only.
- The listed pack size is useful when comparing formats.
- To compare sugars, ingredients and allergens, check the label on the packaging.
Snelle Jelle
Snelle Jelle offers a zero spiced cake in a pack containing four individually wrapped portions.
- The individually wrapped portions suit anyone who wants to take a piece of Dutch spiced breakfast cake with them.
- PLUS lists 4.9 g of sugars and 23 g of polyols per 100 g for this version, along with a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Related products on Joybuy
Related products will appear here soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is zero Dutch spiced breakfast cake automatically sugar-free?
No. Under EU Regulation 1924/2006, the ‘sugar-free’ claim for solid foods means a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. According to Jumbo and PLUS, the Peijnenburg Volkoren zonder toegevoegde suikers, PLUS Zero and Snelle Jelle Zero versions examined each contain 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g.
What does ‘no added sugars’ mean for Dutch spiced breakfast cake?
Under this EU claim, no mono- or disaccharides, or other foods added for their sweetening properties, have been used. It doesn’t rule out naturally occurring sugars; to check the total amount, look for the ‘of which sugars’ line in the nutrition information.
Are the zero Dutch spiced breakfast cakes mentioned gluten-free?
No. Based on their product information, the Peijnenburg, PLUS and Snelle Jelle versions examined are not gluten-free options. They contain rye; PLUS Zero and Snelle Jelle Zero also list other cereals containing gluten as potentially present. Always check the label on the version you buy.
Why do some packs carry a warning about a laxative effect?
The Peijnenburg and Snelle Jelle versions examined contain xylitol, a sweetener belonging to the polyols group. Their product information says that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect, so check the warning and portion size on the packaging.