Choose chocolate sprinkles for a coffee morning by checking the ingredients and the amount of ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g, rather than searching for ‘sugar-free’: the lower-sugar options discussed here still contain sugar. Céréal states that its dark chocolate version contains 88% less sugar and its milk chocolate version 79% less; weigh up these claims against the flavour, maltitol content and any ingredients your guests need to avoid. WorldwideHolland product listings state that Albert Heijn’s versions contain 30% less sugar.
If you want to serve lower-sugar chocolate sprinkles at a coffee morning, the nutrition information per 100 g and the portion size are more useful than the wording on the front of the pack. This also makes it clear to guests that ‘less sugar’ does not mean ‘sugar-free’.
For guests who prefer dark to milk chocolate sprinkles, flavour is a good reason to consider the dark chocolate version. Céréal states a different sugar reduction for its dark and milk versions, so check the nutrition information for the one you choose.
If guests need to avoid milk, soya or polyols, the ingredients list may matter more than the sugar claim. Keep the current packaging to hand so guests can also read any warnings and statements about traces.
First decide what matters most for this coffee morning: fewer sugars, a particular chocolate flavour or clear information about the ingredients. Then compare the specific options using their own labels.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar content | Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and check whether sugar appears in the ingredients list. | If I want to serve less sugar, I want to know how much sugar the sprinkles actually contain. Reducing sugar is the top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Flavour for your guests | Choose between dark and milk chocolate sprinkles, and compare the specific options. | When guests have different tastes, I don’t want to assume everyone will choose the same sprinkles. Flavour is the most important consideration for around 33% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and tolerance | Check the current label for milk, soya, polyols, possible traces and usage warnings. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to be able to check what is in the sprinkles before serving them. Ingredients and tolerance are the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
The Céréal and AH options discussed are described as lower in sugar, but they still contain sugar. A search term alone therefore doesn’t tell you enough about what you’re serving your guests.
Read the ingredients list and compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. Describe these options to guests as ‘lower sugar’, not ‘sugar-free’.
A percentage reduction in sugars doesn’t tell you everything about the nutritional value of chocolate sprinkles. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also highlights the calorie and saturated fat content of chocolate.
If anything besides the sugar content matters to your choice, check the nutrition information for the option you’ve chosen.
Product information for Céréal chocolate sprinkles lists maltitol and soya; the milk version also contains milk powder. The product information also warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Check the current packaging in advance and keep it available when serving. If a guest needs to avoid an ingredient, only offer an alternative whose ingredients they can check.
Dark and milk chocolate sprinkles with less sugar.
Own-brand dark and milk chocolate sprinkles described as ‘less sugar’.
A brand which, according to EVMI, launched chocolate sprinkles with 30% less sugar in 2012.
No, the lower-sugar options discussed here still contain sugar. A Varuvo product listing states that Céréal dark chocolate sprinkles contain 12 g of sugars per 100 g; check the current nutrition table and ingredients list for each option.
The product information for the Céréal chocolate sprinkles discussed here states that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Keep the packaging available so guests can check the ingredients and warning for themselves.
Yes, check both versions separately if milk or soya is a concern for a guest. Product information for Céréal milk chocolate sprinkles lists milk powder and soya lecithins; for Céréal dark chocolate sprinkles, it lists soya lecithin and states that the product may contain milk. The current label is the best guide to what you’re serving.
Don’t describe lower-sugar chocolate sprinkles as sugar-free, and place the packaging beside them. Guests can then check the ingredients, allergen information and nutrition details for the option you’re serving.
