Shoppers keeping an eye on sugar
You’re looking for a topping for bread or yoghurt, for example, with a lower stated sugar content than regular chocolate flakes. You also want to know which sweeteners it contains and what the packaging warning says.
Who is this comparison for?
This comparison can help you choose chocolate sprinkles; it doesn’t make chocolate flakes a suitable topping for chips.
Shoppers looking for a rich cocoa flavour
You’re comparing dark and extra-dark chocolate flakes by flavour and sugar content per 100 g, without assuming that extra dark means less sugar.
Shoppers comparing regular chocolate flakes
You’re looking for flakes for bread, yoghurt or baking and want to distinguish between regular varieties by their nutritional information and ingredients.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you’re looking for something to go with chips or for use as a chocolate topping. Only compare the flakes and sprinkles below if you’re looking for the latter.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Intended use | Check whether you’re looking for a product for bread, yoghurt or baking, rather than something to have with chips. | If I want something to go with takeaway chips, I don’t want to choose a chocolate topping just because the word ‘flakes’ appeared in my search. For around 29% of consumers, suitability for the intended use comes first. |
| Sugar content | Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g; don’t assume the content is lower just because it says ‘dark’ or ‘extra dark’. | When choosing a chocolate topping, I want to see a clearly lower sugar content, not just a different cocoa flavour. This is the main consideration for around 36% of consumers. |
| Sweeteners | Read the ingredients list and, for products containing polyols, check the warning on the packaging. | If I’m considering sprinkles with less sugar, I want to know whether they contain maltitol and what the usage warning says. Around 21% of consumers put this ingredient check first. |
| Allergens | Check the current packaging for ingredients and allergens that are relevant to you. | If I need to avoid an ingredient, I want to check whether this variety is suitable on the pack before choosing based on its sugar content. For around 14% of consumers, this check is the top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘less sugar’ means ‘sugar-free’
Albert Heijn lists 7.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Céréal Dark Chocolate Sprinkles with Less Sugar. The product name also tells you nothing about the sugar content of regular dark chocolate flakes.
Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g and, if there’s a comparative claim, check what the product is being compared with.
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Overlooking the warning about polyols
According to Albert Heijn, Céréal Dark Chocolate Sprinkles with Less Sugar contains maltitol and 40 g of polyols per 100 g. The packaging warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that large amounts of polyols can cause digestive problems.
Read the ingredients and warning before choosing these sprinkles instead of regular flakes.
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Relying only on online nutritional information
Ingredients and allergens can vary between product varieties. This is particularly important if you need to avoid a particular ingredient.
Check the information on the current packaging before use.
Brands compared
Céréal
Céréal Dark Chocolate Sprinkles with Less Sugar are chocolate sprinkles, not chocolate flakes. They’re worth considering if you’re looking for a lower stated sugar content in a chocolate topping.
- According to Albert Heijn, the product contains 7.7 g of sugars per 100 g; the claim of 88% less sugar is based on a comparison with standard dark chocolate sprinkles.
- It contains maltitol and 40 g of polyols per 100 g. Read the warning about excessive consumption.
De Ruijter
The De Ruijter products reviewed are regular chocolate flakes in a range of dark varieties.
- Albert Heijn lists at least 40% cocoa solids and 56 g of sugars per 100 g for Royaal Extra Dark, compared with 63 g of sugars per 100 g for the regular dark flakes mentioned.
- A description such as ‘extra dark’ is no substitute for comparing nutritional information. Also check whether the specific variety is available where you shop.
Albert Heijn
The AH products reviewed are regular dark and mixed chocolate flakes.
- The product information gives you a basis for comparing the dark and mixed varieties by their ingredients and nutritional value.
- Don’t assume these regular flakes contain less sugar based on their name.
Jumbo
Jumbo Duo Flakes Mix is a 300 g mixed chocolate flakes variety.
- Jumbo lists 71.6 g of sugars per 100 g for this variety.
- If you need to avoid an allergen, check the current packaging; the product information lists gluten, milk and wheat among the possible allergens.
Related products on Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘extra dark’ automatically mean chocolate flakes contain less sugar?
No. ‘Extra dark’ on its own isn’t a claim that the product contains less sugar. Albert Heijn lists 56 g of sugars per 100 g for De Ruijter Royaal Extra Dark and 63 g per 100 g for the regular dark flakes mentioned. So compare the nutritional information for the varieties you’re actually considering.
Are sprinkles with less sugar the same product as dark chocolate flakes?
No, sprinkles and chocolate flakes are different types of product. According to Albert Heijn, Céréal Dark Chocolate Sprinkles with Less Sugar contains 7.7 g of sugars and 40 g of polyols per 100 g. So if you switch, check the ingredients and usage warning as well as the sugar content.
Why is there a warning on sprinkles containing maltitol?
The packaging for Céréal sprinkles warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that large amounts of polyols can cause digestive problems, so read the warning if you’re considering this variety.
Where can I check for allergens in chocolate flakes?
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging for the variety you’ve chosen. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be listed on food labels; if you need to avoid an ingredient, an online description is no substitute for checking the pack.