Shoppers who need to avoid sugar completely
You’re looking for a genuinely sugar-free spread for your first grocery shop. A sweet taste or the product’s name isn’t enough: you’ll want to check the nutritional information on the packaging.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Fans of aniseed spreads
You’re mainly interested in crushed aniseed sprinkles for their aniseed flavour and for adding to bread, crispbread or yoghurt, as Jumbo describes De Ruijter. The regular version we looked at isn’t suitable if you need to avoid sugar completely.
Label-readers doing their first grocery shop
You want to compare different types of spread on a like-for-like basis. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing nutritional values per 100 g rather than looking only at serving sizes.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether sugar-free is a must. If aniseed flavour matters more, you could consider regular crushed aniseed sprinkles. If you’re looking for a genuinely sugar-free spread, you may need to choose a different type of product.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Genuinely sugar-free | Check the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g on the exact product packaging. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that sugar-free means no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. | For my first grocery shop, I only want sugar-free spreads, even if that means leaving crushed aniseed sprinkles on the shelf. This is the top priority for around 50% of consumers. |
| Aniseed flavour and how you’ll use it | Decide whether you specifically want crushed aniseed sprinkles for bread, crispbread or yoghurt, or whether another type of spread would work for you. | I want the familiar aniseed flavour and sprinklable texture on my crispbread; another spread won’t necessarily give me that. Around 30% of consumers give this the highest priority. |
| Comparing labels | Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and check the ingredients list on the packaging you’re buying. | For my first grocery shop, I want to compare products quickly on the same basis, without being swayed by different serving sizes. This comparison matters most to around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming regular crushed aniseed sprinkles are sugar-free
For the De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes product we looked at, Holland Snack Express lists sugar as the first ingredient, with 79 g of sugars per 100 g. This version isn’t suitable if you need to avoid sugar completely.
Check the ‘of which sugars’ value on the packaging of the exact product. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets the limit for sugar-free at no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g.
-
Reading ‘less sugar’ as ‘sugar-free’
‘Less sugar’ and ‘no added sugars’ don’t automatically mean a product is sugar-free. So, a claim on its own won’t tell you whether the spread meets your requirements.
As well as checking the claim, look at the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g for the version you want to buy.
-
Relying solely on online product information
Albert Heijn points out that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change.
Use online information to help you decide, then check the current packaging before buying, especially if sugar or allergens are deciding factors for you.
A relevant brand to consider
De Ruijter
De Ruijter is relevant here for its regular crushed aniseed sprinkles, not as a sugar-free option.
- Jumbo suggests using De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes on bread, crispbread and yoghurt.
- For the version we looked at, Holland Snack Express lists sugar as the first ingredient, with 79 g of sugars per 100 g.
Related products on Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
When can a spread be called sugar-free?
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that sugar-free means a product contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. Check the nutritional information for the exact version you’re buying.
Are De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes sugar-free?
Not the version we looked at: Holland Snack Express lists sugar as the first ingredient, with 79 g of sugars per 100 g. Check the current packaging when you buy it.
Does ‘less sugar’ mean the same as ‘sugar-free’?
No, these are different nutrition claims. If you want a sugar-free spread, check the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g rather than relying only on the wording on the front of the packaging.
How can I compare spreads during my first grocery shop?
Compare the nutritional values per 100 g, then read the ingredients list. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends using this standard amount as a basis for comparison; serving sizes can vary between packs.
Can I rely on online product information when choosing?
Use it to help you prepare, but check the packaging of the product you’re buying. Albert Heijn points out that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change.