Who might find this choice relevant?

Shoppers comparing sugar content

You want to keep using chocolate sprinkles, so you compare the sugar content per 100 g of similar products. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing products per 100 g.

Shoppers checking ingredients

As well as sugar, you may want to check for polyols, milk or soya. For Céréal Hagelslag Melk, Jumbo lists polyols and the allergens milk and soya; always check the current packaging before choosing.

Shoppers who care about taste and portion size

You may also consider the type of chocolate, the brand or individually portioned packs. These features can influence your choice, but they don’t tell you how much sugar the chocolate sprinkles contain per 100 g.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, compare the sugar content per 100 g of similar types of chocolate sprinkles. Then check that the ingredients and packaging suit the way you plan to use the product.

What to look for What to check when buying Most relevant to
Sugars Compare the sugar content per 100 g of similar chocolate sprinkles. If a product claims to contain less sugar, check what it is being compared with. I mainly want to know how much sugar my chocolate sprinkles contain, even when the pack sizes differ. For around 50% of shoppers, this verifiable sugar figure comes first.
Ingredients and allergens Check the ingredients list for sweeteners or polyols, and read the allergen information on the current packaging. If I need to avoid certain ingredients, a lower sugar figure isn’t my only consideration. Around 30% of shoppers give checking ingredients their highest priority.
Taste and convenience Check the type of chocolate, any stated cocoa solids or individual portions; assess the sugar content separately. For a sandwich topping or a small portion, taste and packaging matter more to me than the biggest sugar reduction. For around 20% of shoppers, convenience matters most.

Common mistakes

  • Looking only at the ‘less sugar’ claim

    For Céréal Hagelslag Melk, Jumbo lists 14.5 g of sugars, as well as 417 kcal and 14 g of saturated fat per 100 g. So the sugar claim doesn’t tell you the whole nutritional story.

    When comparing similar chocolate sprinkles, also check the energy, saturated fat and ingredients per 100 g.

  • Overlooking polyols

    Jumbo lists 44 g of polyols per 100 g for Céréal Hagelslag Melk. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that a high intake of polyols can cause gastrointestinal symptoms.

    If you want to keep an eye on polyols, check the ingredients and any warnings on the packaging.

  • Assuming premium features mean less sugar

    Albert Heijn says that De Ruijter Kleintjes contains eight portions and uses Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa. These features don’t tell you anything about the sugar content on their own.

    Choose portion packs or cocoa for those features, and check the nutrition table separately if you want to reduce sugar.

  • Treating online product information as definitive

    Albert Heijn notes that ingredients, nutritional values and allergy information can change. This matters particularly if a specific ingredient is a deciding factor for you.

    Before using the product, check the information on the packaging of the one you actually buy.

Brands compared

The chocolate sprinkle products mentioned from these brands differ in their claims, ingredients or packaging. Always compare the specific product, not just the brand.

Céréal

Céréal offers dark and milk chocolate sprinkles with a claim that they contain less sugar.

  • According to Céréal, its dark and milk varieties contain 88% and 79% less sugar respectively. Jumbo lists 14.5 g of sugars per 100 g for the milk variety.
  • For that milk variety, Jumbo also lists 44 g of polyols per 100 g and the allergens milk and soya. Consider the brand claims alongside the full, up-to-date product information.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn sells separate AH chocolate sprinkle varieties labelled ‘less sugar’ in milk and dark chocolate.

  • You can choose the type of chocolate you prefer, then check the corresponding label.
  • Albert Heijn warns that product information can change. Check the sugar content, ingredients and allergens on the current packaging.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers Hagelslag Melk Minder Suiker as its own-brand variety.

  • Jumbo states that the 380 g pack contains at least 40% cocoa solids.
  • The cocoa percentage isn’t a measure of sugar content. To compare sugar, check the nutritional information per 100 g on the packaging.

De Ruijter

De Ruijter may be relevant if individual portions and brand preference matter to you.

  • Albert Heijn lists eight portions and Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa for De Ruijter Kleintjes.
  • Individual portions don’t mean a product contains less sugar; check the nutritional information for the variety you choose.

Venz

Venz offers standard chocolate sprinkle varieties for shoppers who mainly choose by taste or type.

  • A standard variety can provide a useful point of comparison when checking labels.
  • Assess any desired sugar reduction for the specific product; don’t assume it based on the brand name.

Lidl / Mister CHOC en ALDI / Kiekeboe

These supermarket brands offer standard dark chocolate sprinkles as a point of comparison.

  • Lidl lists Mister CHOC Hagelslag puur; ALDI lists Kiekeboe pure hagelslag in a 600 g pack.
  • ‘Dark’ describes the type of chocolate, not necessarily a lower sugar content. Compare the labels per 100 g.

Joybuy products related to this topic

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘less sugar’ mean chocolate sprinkles are sugar-free?

No. ‘Less sugar’ is a comparison and doesn’t tell you how much sugar the product contains on its own. Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g and see what the manufacturer is comparing its product with.

How do I compare chocolate sprinkles in packs of different sizes?

Compare similar types of chocolate sprinkles per 100 g, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. A per-portion figure can also be useful for your own needs, but portion sizes may vary between products.

Why should I check for polyols in lower-sugar chocolate sprinkles?

Some varieties contain polyols: Jumbo lists 44 g per 100 g for Céréal Hagelslag Melk. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that a high intake of polyols can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, so check the ingredients and warnings on the packaging.

Which allergens should I check in lower-sugar chocolate sprinkles?

That depends on the variety you choose. Jumbo lists milk and soya for Céréal Hagelslag Melk. Check the allergen information on the current packaging of the product you buy.