If you’re mainly looking to cut down on sugar, you can’t judge by the shape of the flakes: Albert Heijn and Jumbo list regular chocolate flakes, while the products explicitly marketed as ‘less sugar’ at Albert Heijn are chocolate sprinkles. Compare the sugar content per 100 g, and only choose sprinkles if that different type of product works for you. Schiphol says you can take food in your hand luggage, but different rules apply to spreads than to dry flakes.
You only want to choose chocolate flakes if you can compare their sugar content. If chocolate sprinkles are also an option, compare the sugar per 100 g in similar products. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends using this basis for comparison.
You’re looking for a dry topping to take with you for bread or other food. Schiphol says you can take food in your hand luggage; the liquids rules apply to liquid and spreadable foods.
The shape and taste of chocolate flakes matter more to you than an explicit ‘less sugar’ label. Albert Heijn and Jumbo list a range of regular chocolate flakes, including varieties from De Ruijter, Venz and Choca, as well as their own brands.
First decide whether you specifically want chocolate flakes or whether you’d also consider chocolate sprinkles. Then compare the nutritional information per 100 g and think about whether you’ll be able to use the topping while travelling.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Less sugar | Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g in similar products and read the exact wording on the packaging. | If reducing sugar is my priority, I want to be able to compare the sugar content rather than relying on the product name. This need is the deciding factor for around 40% of consumers. |
| Hand luggage and how you’ll use it | Check whether the product is dry or spreadable, and whether you have something to eat the topping with. | If I want to eat while travelling, the topping needs to be allowed in my hand luggage and work with the food I’m taking. This practical consideration comes first for around 30% of consumers. |
| Flake shape | Read the product name and variety: less-sugar chocolate sprinkles are not a chocolate flake product. | I’m specifically looking for the texture of chocolate flakes and don’t want to end up choosing chocolate sprinkles by mistake. This product type matters most to around 30% of consumers. |
Albert Heijn lists chocolate sprinkles labelled ‘less sugar’, but chocolate sprinkles and chocolate flakes are different types of product.
Decide whether chocolate sprinkles are an acceptable alternative for you. Then compare the nutritional information per 100 g with that of a similar product.
A flavour description on its own tells you nothing about the amount of sugar. For example, Jumbo lists 74 g of sugars per 100 g for De Ruijter Feestvlokken.
For the exact variety, read the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g and check which claim is actually shown on the packaging.
Chocolate flakes are intended as a topping. Without bread or another base, they’re less practical to eat while travelling.
Take them to eat with suitable food, or choose a product you can eat on its own.
According to Schiphol, liquid and spreadable foods are covered by the liquids rules for hand luggage.
Check Schiphol’s rules separately if you want to take a spread or another spreadable product as well as dry chocolate flakes.
Albert Heijn and Jumbo stock several varieties of De Ruijter chocolate flakes.
Albert Heijn lists its own-brand chocolate flakes and also sells chocolate sprinkles labelled ‘less sugar’.
Jumbo lists its own-brand chocolate flakes alongside varieties from other brands.
Venz chocolate flakes are listed in the range overviews for Albert Heijn and Jumbo.
Choca chocolate flakes and a flake mix are listed in the range overviews for Albert Heijn and Jumbo.
Yes. Schiphol says you can take food in your hand luggage. Pack dry chocolate flakes so they can’t spill out; check the separate hand luggage rules for other toppings, especially spreads.
Dry chocolate flakes are not a liquid or spreadable food. Schiphol does apply the liquids rules to liquid and spreadable foods, so check any spread separately from the chocolate flakes.
No, they are different claims. Read the exact wording and compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g on the labels of similar products, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
