Who is this choice relevant to?

Shoppers looking for sugar-free options

For you, sugar-free is a strict requirement. You’re happy to choose a different drinks snack if aniseed sprinkles don’t meet it.

Fans of festive garnishes

You want to keep the aniseed flavour and appearance of the sprinkles, but would prefer to use a measured amount as a topping.

Buyers of traditional aniseed sprinkles

You’re looking for a regular variety for a celebration and comparing its colour, ingredients, allergens and pack size.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide whether sugar-free is a strict requirement. If it is, assess a different drinks snack using its own nutritional information. If it isn’t, focus on the variety and quantity of aniseed sprinkles.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Choosing a sugar-free option Compare the sugars per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre defines ‘sugar-free’ as a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g; check the ingredients list too. If I want a sugar-free option for drinks, I’ll look for a different snack if the aniseed sprinkles don’t meet that requirement. Around 42% of consumers prioritise a sugar-free choice.
Measuring out the sprinkles Check the serving size and sugars per serving for your chosen variety, and measure out the topping. I want to keep the festive look while deciding for myself how many sprinkles to serve. For around 33% of consumers, a measured garnish matters most.
Choosing a regular variety Compare the colour, pack size, ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on the current packaging. For my festive drinks, the familiar flavour of aniseed sprinkles matters more than a sugar-free option. Around 25% of consumers share this preference.

Common mistakes

  • Calling a small portion sugar-free

    A smaller portion means fewer sprinkles on your drinks board, but it doesn’t change the nutritional value per 100 g. Albert Heijn lists 79 g of sugars per 100 g for De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes.

    Is sugar-free a strict requirement? Choose a different drinks snack and check the sugars per 100 g on the label.

  • Judging by colour or packaging alone

    A festive colour tells you nothing about the ingredients or allergens in that particular variety.

    Before you buy, check the ingredients list, allergens and nutritional information on the pack you’ve chosen.

  • Overlooking wheat and gluten in crushed aniseed sprinkles

    Albert Heijn’s product information for De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes lists wheat and cereals containing gluten.

    If someone needs to avoid wheat or gluten, don’t serve this variety as a standard topping. Check the label of an alternative instead.

Brands and shops to explore

De Ruijter is the brand behind the aniseed sprinkles mentioned here; the supermarkets below provide product information on regular varieties. Their inclusion doesn’t mean they offer a sugar-free option.

De Ruijter

The brand behind products including crushed aniseed sprinkles and festive coloured varieties listed by Albert Heijn and Jumbo.

  • You can choose a regular variety by shape and colour.
  • Albert Heijn lists sugar and glucose syrup as ingredients in Gestampte Muisjes, along with 79 g of sugars per 100 g and wheat as an allergen.

Albert Heijn

Lists several regular De Ruijter varieties, including crushed sprinkles and festive sprinkles.

  • The product information for Gestampte Muisjes lists its ingredients, allergens and nutritional values.
  • Check the current packaging of the variety you buy; information for crushed sprinkles doesn’t automatically apply to other varieties.

Jumbo

Lists a range of regular De Ruijter varieties, including crushed and festive aniseed sprinkles.

  • The category makes it easy to compare regular varieties and pack sizes.
  • Check the sugars and allergens for the specific variety, rather than relying on information for the category as a whole.

PLUS

Lists products including De Ruijter Feestmuisjes, which can be used as a topping.

  • The product listing gives you a starting point for exploring a regular festive variety.
  • Check the packaging for sugars, ingredients and allergens before choosing this variety for drinks.

Aniseed sprinkles to use as a topping

This Joybuy selection features aniseed sprinkles for a festive garnish when sugar-free isn’t a strict requirement. If you’re looking for a sugar-free drinks snack, check the sugars per 100 g for a different product.

De Ruijter Pink Muisjes, 330 g pack

De Ruijter Pink Muisjes 330 g

A variety to consider as a festive topping when sugar-free isn’t a strict requirement. The pack contains 330 g; check the current label for the sugars per 100 g and allergens for this variety.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Are regular aniseed sprinkles sugar-free?

De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes aren’t: Albert Heijn lists 79 g of sugars per 100 g, with sugar and glucose syrup in the ingredients list. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre defines ‘sugar-free’ as a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. Check other varieties individually.

Can I use aniseed sprinkles if I want to serve less sugar?

You can measure out regular aniseed sprinkles and use them as a garnish, but that doesn’t make them sugar-free. Albert Heijn lists 4.7 g of sugars per 6 g serving of De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes. For another variety, check its own serving size and nutritional information.

What should I compare on the label of an alternative?

At the very least, compare the sugars per 100 g, ingredients and allergens in the product you want to serve. Also check the serving information if you want to decide how much to put on your drinks board.

Do De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes contain wheat or gluten?

Yes. Albert Heijn’s product information for De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes lists wheat and cereals containing gluten. Always check the current allergen information on the packaging of other varieties or alternatives.