Shoppers with a strict sugar-free requirement
For you, the total amount of sugars matters, not just what’s printed on the front of the pack. Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g with the EU limit for the ‘sugar-free’ claim.
Who is this distinction important for?
Shoppers who also want to avoid sweeteners
You’re looking for chocolate breakfast cereals with no added sugars and no sweeteners. Albert Heijn lists both of these features for Quaker Cruesli zero sugar added chocolate, but also states that the product contains naturally occurring sugars.
Shoppers looking for crunchy chocolate muesli
You mainly want to compare the nutritional information and ingredients in muesli for your weekend breakfast. As well as sugars, check the serving size, fibre, any polyols and the allergen information.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether sugar-free is a firm requirement or whether you mainly want to avoid added sugars. Then compare the sweeteners and ingredients on the label of the product you’re considering.
| What to look for | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Genuinely sugar-free | Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the EU ‘sugar-free’ claim allows a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. | I want my chocolate breakfast cereal to meet a strict sugar-free requirement, even if the pack says ‘zero’ or ‘0%’; for around 42% of consumers, this check matters most. |
| Added sugars and sweeteners | Compare the claim about added sugars with the ingredients list and any warnings about polyols. | Chocolate flavour with no added sugar appeals to me, but I also want to know whether it contains sweeteners; around 33% of consumers say this combination is their top priority. |
| Serving size and ingredients | Compare the nutrition information per 100 g, and check the stated serving size and allergen information. | For my weekend breakfast, I’m looking for something crunchy that’s easy to serve, while still being able to assess the ingredients and serving size; around 25% of consumers put this practical choice first. |
Common mistakes
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Taking ‘0% added sugar’ to mean ‘sugar-free’
Albert Heijn lists 0.6 g of sugars per 100 g for AH Krokante muesli chocolade 0% suiker. That’s above the EU limit of no more than 0.5 g per 100 g for the ‘sugar-free’ claim, even though Albert Heijn lists 0 g of added sugars.
If you have a strict requirement, use the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g rather than relying only on the claim on the front of the pack.
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Looking only at the sugar content
A low sugar figure doesn’t tell you which ingredients provide the sweet taste. Albert Heijn lists maltitols in its crunchy chocolate muesli and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Check the ingredients list and any warnings if you want to avoid sweeteners or are mindful of your tolerance.
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Comparing different serving sizes directly
Albert Heijn’s product information gives a 40 g serving for its chocolate muesli; for the Quaker version, it also shows a prepared serving with yoghurt. These serving sizes aren’t a like-for-like basis for comparison.
Compare the nutrition information per 100 g and check the allergens on the current packaging for both products.
Brands compared
Quaker
Albert Heijn presents Quaker Cruesli zero sugar added chocolate 400 g as chocolate cruesli with no added sugars and no sweeteners.
- The product information lists the ingredients and allergens, and states that the product contains naturally occurring sugars.
- The ‘no added sugars’ claim doesn’t confirm that this cruesli meets the ‘sugar-free’ limit; check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g for that.
Albert Heijn
AH Krokante muesli chocolade 0% suiker 400 g is Albert Heijn’s own-brand chocolate muesli, with nutrition information and ingredients listed by the retailer.
- The product page lists 0 g of added sugars, 0.6 g of sugars and 7.8 g of fibre per 100 g.
- The listed 0.6 g of sugars per 100 g is above the EU limit for ‘sugar-free’. According to Albert Heijn, the product also contains maltitols, pecan nuts and cereals containing gluten.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s breakfast cereal category includes both Quaker Cruesli Zero Sugar Added Chocolade and regular chocolate breakfast cereals.
- You can browse products with different claims about added sugar alongside regular chocolate options.
- When choosing based on sugars or allergens, use the information for the individual product and its current packaging, rather than relying only on the category it appears in.
Chocolate breakfast cereals on Joybuy
These products offer different ways to enjoy chocolate at breakfast: cruesli, crunchy muesli, cocoa hoops and granola. Check the total sugars per 100 g for each product individually; a name containing ‘Zero Sugar’ doesn’t by itself confirm that the product is sugar-free.
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Quaker Cruesli Choco Zero Sugar 400 g
Chocolate cruesli to consider if you’re specifically looking for cruesli for your weekend breakfast. Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g before taking the name as a sugar-free claim.
If you’re choosing based on ingredients, also check the current allergen information.
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Holie's Crunchy Muesli Chocolate Chunks 400 g
An option if you’re looking for crunchy chocolate muesli rather than cruesli or cocoa hoops. Compare the total sugars and fibre per 100 g, and check the ingredients and allergens.
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Holie's Crunchy Loops Choco Crisp 350 g
Worth a look if you’d rather serve cocoa hoops than chocolate muesli at the weekend. Check the current nutrition information and ingredients list before assessing any sugar or dietary claims.
Check the allergen information carefully if peanuts or gluten are a concern for you.
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Holie's Granola Glutenfree Peanut Chocolate 6 × 330 g
A chocolate and peanut granola to consider if you’re looking for this flavour combination and want a pack of 6 × 330 g. Check the total sugars per 100 g, and compare fibre values only when the serving basis is clear.
Check dietary claims and allergens against the current packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘no added sugars’ mean the same as sugar-free?
No. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, a product can contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g or 100 ml to carry the ‘sugar-free’ claim. A product with no added sugars may still contain naturally occurring sugars. So check the total sugars on the label.
Is AH Krokante muesli chocolade 0% suiker sugar-free?
No. The nutrition information listed by Albert Heijn gives 0.6 g of sugars per 100 g, which is above the EU limit of 0.5 g per 100 g for the ‘sugar-free’ claim. The product information lists 0 g of added sugars per 100 g; check the current packaging when you buy it.
What should I check if chocolate muesli contains sweeteners?
Check which sweeteners are listed in the ingredients and whether the packaging includes a warning. Albert Heijn lists maltitols in its crunchy chocolate muesli and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.