Organisers keeping an eye on sugar
You’re looking for chocolate sprinkles for a Sinterklaas celebration and want to know how much sugar a variety contains, not just how much lower its sugar content is than another product’s.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Shoppers who want to avoid sweeteners
You want to choose a lower-sugar variety without automatically opting for sprinkles containing maltitol. That’s why you compare the ingredients lists too.
Organisers shopping for a group
You’re serving chocolate sprinkles to several guests, so you need to check whether warnings about milk, lactose, soya or possible traces are relevant for each variety.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the nutritional information per 100 g, then check whether the ingredients and allergen information are suitable for the people you’re shopping for.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar content | Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g, and check which product a lower-sugar claim is based on. | For the procession, I want to know how much sugar the sprinkles contain, even if the packaging claims a reduction. For around 45% of consumers, sugar content is the top priority. |
| Sweeteners | Check the ingredients list for sweeteners and polyols; if it contains maltitol, also read the warning about consumption. | If I don’t want to serve sprinkles containing maltitol, the ingredients list determines my choice. Around 33% of consumers put avoiding sweeteners first. |
| Allergens | Check the latest packaging for both ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ warnings. | When several guests are eating, I want to check which variety is suitable for them first. For around 22% of consumers, checking allergens comes before other considerations. |
Common mistakes
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Reading ‘less sugar’ as ‘low sugar’
A percentage reduction in sugar describes a comparison with another product. According to Albert Heijn, the AH varieties reviewed still contain 43 g of sugars per 100 g; Jumbo states that its milk variety contains 42.6 g per 100 g.
First check the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutritional information, then see what the comparative claim is based on.
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Focusing only on the sugar reduction
According to Jumbo’s product information, Céréal Hagelslag Puur contains maltitol and 40 g of polyols per 100 g. The product information warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Before serving this variety to a group, check the ingredients and warning on the packaging.
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Assuming allergens based on ‘dark’ or ‘milk’
Even dark chocolate sprinkles can contain milk. The products reviewed also differ in their warnings about lactose, soya and possible traces.
Check the information on the latest packaging against your guests’ allergies; don’t rely solely on the flavour name or a previous purchase.
Brands compared
Albert Heijn
The lower-sugar dark and milk chocolate sprinkles are each compared with a corresponding regular AH variety.
- According to Albert Heijn, both varieties contain 30% less sugar than their respective comparison products; the nutritional information also gives a 20 g serving size.
- Both contain 43 g of sugars per 100 g, as well as milk and lactose. Check the latest ingredients list if you want to avoid sweeteners.
Jumbo
Jumbo Hagelslag Melk Minder Suiker is a milk chocolate variety with a claim comparing it with Jumbo Hagelslag Melk.
- Jumbo states that it contains at least 30% less sugar and 42.6 g of sugars per 100 g.
- The variety contains milk and may contain gluten and wheat. Check that the pack you want is available.
Céréal
Céréal Hagelslag Puur is an option if you’re mainly comparing the stated sugar content per 100 g and are considering a product containing maltitol.
- Jumbo’s product information states that it contains 7.7 g of sugars per 100 g.
- The sprinkles contain maltitol, list soya as an allergen and may contain milk. The product information warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
De Ruijter
Specials Intens Puur is a regular dark chocolate sprinkle variety for comparing cocoa content, not a confirmed lower-sugar option.
- Albert Heijn’s product information states that it contains at least 52% cocoa solids.
- The same product information states that it contains 43 g of sugars per 100 g. The variety contains milk and soya and may contain lactose.
Kiekeboe
Kiekeboe is relevant here as a regular dark chocolate sprinkle variety in a larger pack.
- ALDI describes a 600 g pack of dark chocolate sprinkles made with Rainforest Alliance cocoa.
- If you specifically want less sugar, first compare the nutritional information and any sugar claim on the packaging.
Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘less sugar’ mean the same as ‘low sugar’?
No. ‘Less sugar’ compares one product with another; on its own, it doesn’t mean that the sugar content is low. According to their product information, the Albert Heijn varieties reviewed contain 43 g of sugars per 100 g, while Jumbo states that its milk variety contains 42.6 g per 100 g.
Which sprinkles can I compare if I want to avoid maltitol?
Look at Albert Heijn’s lower-sugar dark and milk varieties, and read their latest ingredients lists before buying. The lists reviewed don’t mention a sweetener; Céréal Hagelslag Puur does list maltitol.
Can I serve Céréal Hagelslag Puur to a group?
That depends on your guests and how you serve the product. The product information lists soya, possible traces of milk and a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. So check the latest packaging before serving the sprinkles.
How should I store the sprinkles after the procession?
According to the product information, store the AH and Jumbo varieties reviewed in a cool, dry, dark place. Follow the storage instructions and best-before date on the label of the pack you buy.