Shoppers looking for sugar-free options
You want to make sure ‘less sugar’ isn’t confused with sugar-free, so you check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g.
Who might find these options useful?
Solo breakfast eaters who want to control their portion
You’re making rusks with chocolate sprinkles for yourself and want to choose how much to use from the pack.
Shoppers who compare the rusks too
You want to keep enjoying chocolate sprinkles, while also checking the wholegrain ingredients, fibre and allergens in the rusks.
What should you look for when choosing?
When choosing rusks with chocolate sprinkles for one, first decide whether sugar-free is a must or whether you’re simply looking for less sugar. Then compare the rusks and the amount you use at breakfast.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar-free or less sugar | Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, a product labelled ‘sugar-free’ can contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. | If only sugar-free chocolate sprinkles meet my needs, I don’t want to mistake a ‘less sugar’ claim for the same thing. This is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Reducing sugar | Compare the sugars per 100 g and consider the portion you actually use; a product with less sugar can still contain sugars. | I want to limit the amount of sugar without making sugar-free a strict requirement. Around 27% of consumers prioritise this trade-off. |
| Choosing rusks | Compare the ingredients, fibre per 100 g and allergens in the rusks separately from the chocolate sprinkles. | If you want to keep using chocolate sprinkles but also care about the base, look beyond the topping. This is the first thing around 20% of consumers consider. |
| Portion for one | Check the pack size and any portion guidance, then decide how much you want to sprinkle on each time. | For breakfast on my own, I want to use an amount that fits my plan without repeatedly topping up from the pack. Around 20% of consumers prioritise portion convenience. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘less sugar’ means ‘sugar-free’
According to Jumbo, Jumbo Hagelslag Melk Minder Suiker contains 42.6 g of sugars per 100 g. A relative reduction doesn’t tell you how much sugar the product actually contains.
Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g, then consider how much chocolate sprinkles you use.
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Overlooking your portion when choosing less sugar
Jumbo lists 7.7 g of sugars, 40 g of polyols and 388 kcal per 100 g for Céréal Hagelslag Puur. The product information also warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Check the nutrition information and ingredients, and decide in advance how much you want to sprinkle on.
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Comparing only the chocolate sprinkles
Rusks also vary in their ingredients and nutritional value. Bolletje Vezelrijk boeren beschuit volkoren, as described by Albert Heijn, contains wheat, oats, barley and sesame, among other ingredients.
Check the nutrition information for the rusks and chocolate sprinkles separately. If you have a relevant allergy, check the labels on both products.
Brands compared
Céréal
The Hagelslag Puur variety reviewed is an option for anyone wanting to compare its sugar content with that of other chocolate sprinkles.
- According to Jumbo, this variety contains 7.7 g of sugars per 100 g.
- It doesn’t meet the sugar-free limit of no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. The product information lists maltitols and warns against excessive consumption.
Albert Heijn
A supermarket own-brand option for comparing regular chocolate sprinkles with reduced-sugar varieties by checking their labels.
- Albert Heijn offers, among other products, a variety of chocolate sprinkles labelled ‘less sugar’.
- Albert Heijn recommends checking the packaging, as ingredients, nutritional values and allergy information may change.
Jumbo
A supermarket own-brand option with a milk chocolate sprinkle product labelled ‘less sugar’.
- Jumbo lists 42.6 g of sugars per 100 g for Hagelslag Melk Minder Suiker and states that a 200 g pack contains ten portions.
- The ‘less sugar’ label doesn’t make this variety sugar-free; check the label on the product you buy.
Bolletje
A relevant option for the rusk base if you want to compare wholegrain ingredients and fibre as well as chocolate sprinkles.
- Bolletje Vezelrijk boeren beschuit volkoren, as described by Albert Heijn, is labelled 100% wholegrain and contains 10 g of fibre per 100 g.
- This variety contains wheat, oats, barley and sesame, among other ingredients; check the packaging if you have a relevant allergy or intolerance.
Products on Joybuy
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘less sugar’ mean the same as sugar-free?
No. Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the ‘sugar-free’ claim is limited to a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. A product with less sugar can still exceed that amount: Jumbo lists 42.6 g of sugars per 100 g for Hagelslag Melk Minder Suiker.
Is Céréal Hagelslag Puur sugar-free?
No. Jumbo lists 7.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Céréal Hagelslag Puur. That’s above the limit of 0.5 g per 100 g for the ‘sugar-free’ claim under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
What should I look for in chocolate sprinkles containing maltitols?
Read the ingredients and any usage warning on the packaging. The product information for Céréal Hagelslag Puur lists maltitols and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Does every rusk contain extra iodine because of baker’s salt?
No, this doesn’t automatically follow from the rules on baker’s salt. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes the use of baker’s salt as a way of adding iodine to bakery products; check the packaging for the ingredients in a particular rusk.
How should I store chocolate sprinkles and rusks if I’m the only one eating them?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging for both products. The chocolate sprinkle varieties reviewed recommend storing them in a dry place; seal the rusks well after opening to keep them fresh.