Hotel buyers with a strict sugar-free requirement
Need chocolate flakes that meet the sugar-free limit. Voedingscentrum sets this at no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g; a claim such as ‘less sugar’ is not enough.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Buffet teams responsible for allergen information
Need to keep information about the product supplied available when it is served loose on the buffet. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority points out that guests must also be given allergen information for unpackaged products.
Hotels considering a lower-sugar alternative
Can offer a lower-sugar product if sugar-free is not a firm requirement. The buffet description must match both the nutritional information and the product type: chocolate sprinkles are not flakes.
What should you look for when buying?
First, decide whether sugar-free is a firm requirement for your hotel breakfast buffet. Then check the nutritional information, product type and allergen information for guests for each product you choose.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Strict sugar-free requirement | Check the claim and the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g for the exact variant. Voedingscentrum sets the sugar-free limit at no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. | I want to put flakes under a sugar-free buffet label without confusing that claim with ‘less sugar’. This strict requirement is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Allergens when serving loose | Keep the current ingredients and allergen information for the product supplied available, and decide how guests can access it at the buffet. | When serving flakes in bowls, I want guests to be able to find out about allergens before making their choice, even if the packaging is not displayed next to the product. This information is the main concern for around 29% of consumers. |
| Lower sugar as an alternative | Compare the nutritional information and use an accurate product description. Do not describe chocolate sprinkles as flakes. | If sugar-free is not a firm requirement, I want to be able to offer a lower-sugar alternative without describing it incorrectly. This matters most to around 21% of consumers. |
| Standard chocolate flakes | Check the ingredients, pack size and allergen information; do not put standard flakes under a sugar-free label. | For the standard buffet, I want to offer flakes without making a sugar-free claim. This choice is the top priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Common buffet mistakes
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Taking ‘less sugar’ to mean ‘sugar-free’
According to Voedingscentrum, sugar-free means no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. A ‘less sugar’ claim does not confirm that a product meets this limit.
Before using a sugar-free buffet label, check the nutritional information for the exact variant supplied.
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Putting standard flakes under a sugar-free label
Jumbo’s ingredient lists show that Jumbo Chocolade Vlokken Puur contains sugar, while De Ruijter Chocoladevlokken Puur contains sugar and dextrose. These variants do not support a sugar-free claim.
Keep the display and labels for standard flakes separate from products that demonstrably meet the sugar-free requirement.
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Throwing away the packaging without keeping the allergen information
According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, guests must also be given allergen information for products offered unpackaged.
Keep the current packaging or supplier information, and make it clear at the buffet where guests can find the information or ask for it.
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Checking only whether sweeteners are present
A mention of sweeteners is no substitute for checking the ‘of which sugars’ figure. Voedingscentrum says that any sweeteners present must be listed on the label.
Read both the ingredients list and the nutritional information for your chosen variant before preparing the buffet label.
Brands to consider
De Ruijter
De Ruijter offers chocolate flakes in a range of varieties, including dark, milk and white.
- De Ruijter Chocoladevlokken Puur 200 g is listed by Jumbo as a standard flakes variety.
- The ingredients list for this dark variety includes sugar and dextrose; do not present it as sugar-free.
Jumbo
Jumbo stocks a range of chocolate flakes under its own brand.
- A product name, pack size and ingredients list are available for Jumbo Chocolade Vlokken Puur 300 g.
- Sugar is listed as the first ingredient in this dark variety; do not use it for a sugar-free claim.
Venz
Venz flakes varieties feature in the range listings for Albert Heijn and Jumbo.
- The brand offers varieties including tiger flakes and crunchy flakes.
- Check the current nutritional information for each variant before making a sugar-free claim.
Choca
Choca flakes and a flakes mix feature in range listings.
- Choca Vlokken and Choca Vlokmix are distinct product types.
- Check the ingredients and nutritional information for the exact variant before presenting it as sugar-free.
Related Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
When can you call chocolate flakes sugar-free?
Voedingscentrum sets the sugar-free limit at no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. Check this figure in the current nutritional information for the variant you choose; ‘less sugar’ and ‘no added sugars’ do not automatically mean the same thing.
How do you provide allergen information for loose flakes on the buffet?
Guests must be able to access allergen information for unpackaged flakes too, according to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority. Keep the information for the product supplied, and either provide the allergen details in writing or clearly tell guests where they can ask for them.
Can lower-sugar chocolate sprinkles replace sugar-free flakes?
Not if the buffet specifically promises sugar-free flakes: chocolate sprinkles are a different product type, and having less sugar does not prove that the sugar-free limit is met. If sugar-free is not a requirement, you could consider chocolate sprinkles as an alternative and label them accurately on the buffet.
What should you check for chocolate flakes with sweeteners?
Check the ingredients list for sweeteners and also read the amount of sugars per 100 g. According to Voedingscentrum, any sweeteners present are listed on the label; their presence alone does not tell you whether the flakes can be labelled sugar-free.