If you’re looking for strictly sugar-free options
You want the ‘sugar-free’ label to be accurate. So check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g, rather than relying on words such as ‘zero’ or ‘0%’ on the front of the pack.
Who is this relevant for?
If you want to avoid added sugars
You’re looking for chocolate cereal for several mornings at your holiday home. Sugars already present in the product don’t rule it out, but you still want to be able to compare the claim and nutrition information.
If you’re bringing breakfast for several guests
You want to know in advance whether the ingredients are suitable for your guests, how much is in the pack and how to store an opened bag according to the label.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether ‘sugar-free’ is a must or whether you mainly want to avoid added sugars. Then check that the pack size suits the number of guests and the way you’ll store the cereal.
| What to look for | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Strictly sugar-free | Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g: under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the ‘sugar-free’ claim is permitted only for products containing no more than 0.5 g per 100 g. | If I want a strictly sugar-free option, I don’t want a ‘zero’ name to mislead me. For around 42% of consumers, this strict requirement comes first. |
| No added sugars | Compare the claim with the ingredients list and the sugars per 100 g; ‘no added sugars’ does not mean ‘sugar-free’. | I want chocolate flavour at breakfast but want to avoid added sugars; sugars already present in the product aren’t a deal-breaker. Around 33% of consumers say this is their priority. |
| Stocking up for guests | Check the pack size, ingredients and allergens, and read how to store the product after opening. | For several breakfasts, I want to bring enough without overlooking the needs of other guests. For around 25% of consumers, having a convenient supply is the top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘zero’ or ‘0%’ means sugar-free
A product with no added sugars may still exceed the threshold for the ‘sugar-free’ claim. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also points out that ‘no added sugar’ does not mean sugar-free.
If sugar-free is a must, check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g on the pack and look for no more than 0.5 g per 100 g.
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Choosing a familiar chocolate cereal by name
A recognisable brand doesn’t mean a product is suitable if you’re looking for a sugar-free option. Kellogg's Netherlands lists 22 g of sugars per 100 g for Coco Pops Chocos.
First compare the nutrition information for the exact variant, then decide which flavour or brand you want to bring.
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Waiting until you’re at the holiday home to check allergens
Chocolate muesli or granola may contain ingredients that aren’t suitable for every guest. For example, the online product information for Quaker Cruesli Zero Sugar Added Chocolate lists oats, wheat and milk.
Check the current label for your chosen variant before you set off and, if necessary, bring a separate breakfast option for a guest.
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Skipping the storage instructions for an opened bag
If you’re staying for several days, you may use the same pack more than once. Storage instructions can vary from product to product.
Read the instructions on the pack you’ve chosen and make sure you can reseal the bag after use.
Brands to consider
Quaker Cruesli
Worth considering if you’re specifically looking for chocolate muesli with no added sugars.
- Quaker Netherlands presents its Zero Sugar Added range as a breakfast option with no added sugars.
- A bol product listing gives the Chocolate variant as containing 3.4 g of sugars per 100 g. That’s above the threshold for the ‘sugar-free’ claim, so check the current pack.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn sells a product called Krokante muesli chocolade 0% suiker.
- It’s a specific product you can compare if you’re looking for chocolate muesli.
- Don’t assume that ‘0%’ in the name means the product meets the threshold for ‘sugar-free’; check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g on the pack you choose.
Holie's
Chocolate Crunch is a chocolate granola to consider if you want to compare claims about added sugars, not if you’re treating granola and muesli as the same product category.
- A bol product listing says it contains 0% added sugar and lists hazelnuts and almonds.
- The listing also gives 3.8 g of sugars per 100 g. Check the nutrition information and ingredients on the pack when you buy it.
Kellogg's
Coco Pops Chocos is a regular chocolate cereal to consider only if limiting sugar isn’t a requirement.
- Kellogg's Dutch product information gives a sugars-per-100 g figure that you can use to assess this variant.
- Kellogg's Netherlands lists 22 g of sugars per 100 g for Coco Pops Chocos; this isn’t a sugar-free option.
Nestlé
Nesquik is an example of chocolate cereal, but a chocolate flavour doesn’t mean it’s suitable if you need a sugar-free option.
- Nestlé Breakfast Cereals describes Nesquik as chocolate-flavoured cereal made with whole wheat.
- Assess the Nesquik variant you choose using the nutrition table per 100 g, not the brand name.
Joybuy products
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘no added sugars’ mean the same as sugar-free?
No. Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, breakfast cereal can only be labelled ‘sugar-free’ if it contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. ‘No added sugars’ doesn’t rule out sugars already present in the product, so always compare the nutrition table.
Is Quaker Cruesli Zero Sugar Added Chocolate suitable if I’m looking for a strictly sugar-free option?
Not if the pack lists 3.4 g of sugars per 100 g, as in the bol product listing: that’s above the threshold for ‘sugar-free’. If you mainly want to avoid added sugars, you can still compare the claim and current nutrition information for this variant with your own buying criteria.
How should I store an opened pack at a holiday home?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack you’ve brought and close the bag after use. For example, Jumbo’s product information for Quaker Zero Sugar Added Granola Naturel says to store it in a cool, dry place and roll the bag closed after use; don’t automatically apply that advice to a different variant.