Who is this choice relevant to?

A host keeping an eye on sugar

You want to offer something sweet with coffee, but an appealing label on the shelf doesn’t tell you how much sugar the flakes contain. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing similar products per 100 g.

A fan of traditional flakes

You want to stick with the familiar shape of chocolate flakes on bread, crispbread or a sweet bun. Compare flakes with flakes: Jumbo lists 63.7 g of sugars per 100 g for its dark flakes, while PLUS lists 63.8 g per 100 g for its dark flakes.

An organiser checking allergens

You’re serving guests for whom ingredients and allergens matter. According to PLUS product information, De Ruijter White Flakes contain milk, lactose and soya; the dark flakes from Jumbo and PLUS included in this comparison carry warnings about milk or lactose.

What should you look for in chocolate flakes?

First, decide whether you want to keep the flakes’ distinctive shape. Then compare the sugar content of similar products and check the current packaging for allergens before serving them to your guests.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Sugar content Compare similar flakes per 100 g and check whether the exact product carries a ‘less sugar’ claim. If I want to serve less sugar, I want to know what the flakes actually contain rather than rely on the word ‘dark’. For around 42% of consumers, comparing sugar content comes first.
Allergens Check the current packaging for both ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements, including on dark varieties. If guests need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to check in advance what I can serve. Allergens are the top priority for around 33% of consumers.
Flavour and quantity Choose the type of flakes you want and a pack size that suits the number of guests; check the storage instructions too. For my coffee occasion, I want to serve the familiar flakes without buying more than I expect to use. This is the top consideration for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes when choosing

  • Assuming ‘dark’ means ‘less sugar’

    Jumbo lists 63.7 g of sugars per 100 g for its dark chocolate flakes; PLUS’s dark chocolate flakes contain 63.8 g per 100 g. The flavour description alone doesn’t tell you how much sugar the product contains.

    Compare the nutrition information per 100 g on the packs you’re actually considering.

  • Treating chocolate sprinkles and flakes as the same thing

    Albert Heijn includes chocolate sprinkles labelled ‘less sugar’ in its sugar-conscious range. However, sprinkles have a different shape from the products in its separate flakes range.

    Decide whether that different texture is right for what you want to serve. Otherwise, look specifically for flakes and compare their labels.

  • Using ‘dark’ or ‘vegan’ as an allergen check

    According to PLUS, its dark chocolate flakes may contain milk and lactose. Jumbo states that its dark flakes may contain milk; according to PLUS, De Ruijter White Flakes contain milk, lactose and soya.

    Check the allergen information on every pack before serving flakes to your guests.

  • Choosing a large pack without considering storage

    The dark flakes from Jumbo and PLUS included in this comparison come in 300 g packs. According to their product information, they should be stored in a cool, dry place; PLUS also says to keep them out of the light.

    Choose a pack size to suit your coffee occasion, and follow the packaging instructions for storing any leftovers.

Brands to compare

Compare individual products and labels: a brand name doesn’t tell you whether a particular type of flakes contains less sugar.

De Ruijter

Traditional chocolate and white flakes for bread, crispbread and more.

  • PLUS states that the white flakes come in a 200 g pack.
  • The white flakes contain 77 g of sugars per 100 g and, according to PLUS, contain milk, lactose and soya.

Albert Heijn

A range of different flakes; its sugar-conscious range also includes chocolate sprinkles labelled ‘less sugar’.

  • According to Albert Heijn, its flakes range includes milk, dark and mixed chocolate flakes.
  • The chocolate sprinkles labelled ‘less sugar’ are a different product format from flakes.

Jumbo

Own-brand dark chocolate flakes in a 300 g pack.

  • The product page lists at least 35% cocoa solids.
  • Jumbo lists 63.7 g of sugars per 100 g; the product may contain milk.

PLUS

Own-brand dark Fairtrade chocolate flakes in a 300 g pack.

  • The product page carries the Fairtrade Cocoa label.
  • PLUS lists 63.8 g of sugars per 100 g and warns that the flakes may contain milk and lactose.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

How do I compare the sugar content of chocolate flakes?

Compare similar chocolate flakes using the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g in the nutrition information. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing products per 100 g; serving sizes on packs can vary.

Does ‘dark’ mean chocolate flakes contain less sugar?

No, ‘dark’ doesn’t tell you how much sugar a product of flakes contains. Jumbo lists 63.7 g of sugars per 100 g for its dark chocolate flakes, while PLUS lists 63.8 g per 100 g for its dark chocolate flakes. So check the label on the exact pack.

How should I store flakes after serving them with coffee?

Follow the storage instructions on the packaging. For the dark flakes included in this comparison, Jumbo and PLUS recommend storing them in a cool, dry place; PLUS also says to keep them out of the light. Check the best-before date on your pack too.

Is a ‘less sugar’ claim enough to choose flakes?

No. Check that the claim applies to the specific product and compare the sugars listed per 100 g too. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, there are rules governing nutrition claims on food. A claim on chocolate sprinkles doesn’t automatically apply to flakes.