If you’re shopping for someone with coeliac disease
Before using the flakes, you want to be able to check the current packaging and confirm that they’re gluten-free. You’ll also need to check the ingredients and any cross-contamination warnings.
Who is this choice relevant to?
If you specifically want chocolate flakes
You want to stick with flakes and compare the sugar content on a like-for-like basis: per 100 g of similar products.
If you’re also considering chocolate sprinkles
You’re happy to consider a different type of chocolate bread topping, but you’ll still need to check that the sprinkles are suitable for someone with coeliac disease.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start by checking whether the specific product is suitable for a gluten-free diet. Then decide whether you only want flakes and compare the nutritional information for the options that remain.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free suitability | Look for the Crossed Grain symbol or a gluten-free label on the current packaging, and check the ingredients and any cross-contamination warnings. The Dutch Coeliac Association highlights the importance of these warnings. | If I’m buying for someone with coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on the ingredients list alone. Around 46% of consumers prioritise clearly stated gluten-free suitability. |
| Sugars per 100 g | For similar flakes, compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends using this basis for comparison rather than portions of different sizes. | When choosing between suitable flakes, I want to compare their sugar content fairly. Around 36% of consumers give this comparison top priority. |
| Flakes or sprinkles | Decide whether chocolate sprinkles are an acceptable alternative for you; they’re a different product type from flakes. Check the label of each type separately. | I want to stick with flakes, or I’m open to sprinkles as an alternative. The product type is the main deciding factor for around 18% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a product is suitable just because the ingredients list doesn’t mention wheat
Cross-contamination also matters for coeliac disease, according to the Dutch Coeliac Association. The ingredients list alone won’t tell you whether this is an issue.
Check the current packaging for a gluten-free label, the ingredients and any cross-contamination warnings.
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Assuming a lower sugar figure means ‘less sugar’
Albert Heijn lists De Ruijter Dark Chocolate Flakes as containing 63 g of sugars per 100 g. That’s the product’s nutritional value, not proof of a ‘less sugar’ claim or of gluten-free suitability.
Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g for similar flakes, and assess gluten-free suitability separately.
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Treating chocolate sprinkles as the same product as flakes
Albert Heijn lists chocolate sprinkles with ‘less sugar’ in the product name, but sprinkles are a different type of product from chocolate flakes. The product name also tells you nothing about whether they’re suitable for someone with coeliac disease.
Only consider sprinkles if you’re happy with this different product type, and check the current packaging too.
Relevant brands and retailers
De Ruijter
De Ruijter makes chocolate flakes to use as a bread topping. Albert Heijn also suggests serving its Dark Chocolate Flakes with yoghurt or porridge oats.
- Albert Heijn lists De Ruijter Dark Chocolate Flakes as containing 63 g of sugars per 100 g, which is useful when comparing them with similar flakes.
- Check the current packaging of the specific product to assess whether it’s suitable for a gluten-free diet; the sugar content won’t tell you this.
Jumbo
Jumbo has a dedicated category for chocolate flakes, including its own-brand dark and milk chocolate flakes.
- The category makes it easier to distinguish flakes from chocolate sprinkles.
- When choosing a product for someone with coeliac disease, check the nutritional information, ingredients and gluten-free labels for the specific product.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists regular De Ruijter flakes and chocolate sprinkles with ‘less sugar’ in the product name as separate product types.
- Sprinkles are an alternative to consider if you don’t need the product to be flakes.
- Check the current packaging of each product to confirm its gluten-free suitability; a sugar-related claim doesn’t confirm this.
Related products on Joybuy
Related products will appear soon.
Frequently asked questions
Are chocolate flakes automatically suitable for someone with coeliac disease if wheat isn’t listed in the ingredients?
No, the ingredients list alone isn’t enough to confirm this. The Dutch Coeliac Association also highlights the risk of cross-contamination. Check the current packaging for a gluten-free label, the ingredients and any warnings.
How do I compare the sugar content of chocolate flakes?
Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g for similar flakes. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing products per 100 g, as portions of different sizes make it harder to compare them. Only include sprinkles if you’re happy with this different product type.
Is an online product page enough to choose flakes for someone with coeliac disease?
Use an online product page to narrow down your options, then check the current packaging before use. Albert Heijn notes that information about ingredients, nutritional values and allergens can change.