Parents looking for strictly sugar-free options
For a breakfast or snack during the school holidays, you want a topping that can genuinely be described as sugar-free, not just a product with less sugar.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Families looking to cut down on sugar
You want to keep a sprinkle-on topping, but compare the sugar content and ingredients before choosing between aniseed sprinkles and other bread toppings.
Shoppers buying traditional aniseed sprinkles
You’re choosing them mainly for their familiar flavour for an occasional breakfast or decorating occasion, and bear in mind that regular aniseed sprinkles contain sugar.
What should you look for when choosing?
For a breakfast or snack during the school holidays, first decide what matters most to you: strictly sugar-free, less sugar while keeping a sprinkle-on topping, or the flavour of regular aniseed sprinkles.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Strictly sugar-free | Check the exact claim and the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g. Under EU Regulation 1924/2006, the claim ‘sugar-free’ may only be used when a product contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g or 100 ml. | I only want to choose a topping that genuinely meets the ‘sugar-free’ requirement, even if it isn’t traditional aniseed sprinkles; this is the top priority for around 46% of consumers. |
| Less sugar, but still sprinkle-on | Compare the sugars per 100 g and check the ingredients of the bread topping you’re considering. ‘Less sugar’ doesn’t mean ‘sugar-free’. | For a celebratory breakfast, I want to keep sprinkling a topping without having to choose a strictly sugar-free option. Less sugar is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Traditional aniseed sprinkles | Check the sugars per 100 g, the portion size and the allergens listed on the packaging. Jumbo lists wheat and 79 g of sugars per 100 g for De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes. | For an occasional decorating occasion, the aniseed flavour matters more to me than choosing a sugar-free option, as long as the ingredients are suitable; this preference matters most to around 18% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Confusing ‘less sugar’ with ‘sugar-free’
Sugar-conscious marketing or a claim about less sugar doesn’t mean a topping meets the threshold for being ‘sugar-free’.
If you need a strictly sugar-free option, check the exact claim and the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g on the current packaging.
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Looking only at a small portion
A small portion doesn’t change the product’s composition. Jumbo lists 4.7 g of sugars per 6 g portion of De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes, compared with 79 g per 100 g.
Compare products per 100 g first, then use the portion information for the occasion you have in mind.
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Overlooking allergens in a celebratory topping
Jumbo lists wheat and cereals containing gluten for De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes. Don’t assume that every variety of aniseed sprinkles has the same ingredients.
Check the ingredients list and allergen information on the current packaging of the product you choose.
A relevant brand to consider
De Ruijter
De Ruijter has traditional varieties of aniseed sprinkles in the ranges shown by Albert Heijn and Jumbo. Check each variety individually if you’re keeping an eye on sugars or allergens.
- Albert Heijn and Jumbo list products including Gestampte Muisjes and varieties in different colours.
- For De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes, Jumbo lists 79 g of sugars per 100 g and wheat. This variety is not a sugar-free option.
Related Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
When can a bread topping be called ‘sugar-free’?
Under EU Regulation 1924/2006, the claim ‘sugar-free’ may only be used if a food contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g or 100 ml. Check the claim and nutritional information on the current packaging of the bread topping you choose.
Are De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes sugar-free?
No. Jumbo lists 79 g of sugars per 100 g for De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes, with sugar as the first ingredient. According to the same product information, a 6 g portion contains 4.7 g of sugars.
Does ‘no added sugar’ also mean ‘sugar-free’?
No, these are different claims. If you’re specifically looking for a sugar-free product, check that it carries that claim and look at the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g.
What should I check if wheat is a concern when buying aniseed sprinkles?
Check the allergen information for the variety you want to buy. Jumbo lists wheat and cereals containing gluten for De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes; check other varieties against their own packaging.