Who is this choice relevant to?

Organisers with a strict sugar-free requirement

You want to describe the chocolate flakes as sugar-free. In that case, the nutritional information per 100 g is what matters; a product with less sugar doesn’t automatically meet this requirement.

Organisers considering a lower-sugar alternative

You don’t need to make a sugar-free claim and are open to chocolate sprinkles instead of flakes. Compare the sugars per 100 g and make it clear which product you’re offering.

Organisers of a self-service buffet

Guests serve themselves from different bowls. You’ll therefore need clear allergen information for every product and separate serving utensils, even when your main considerations are taste and presentation.

What should you look for when buying?

First decide whether you require both flakes and a sugar-free claim. Only consider chocolate sprinkles as an alternative if those requirements can differ.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
The sugar-free claim Check the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g on the pack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets the limit for sugar-free at no more than 0.5 g per 100 g. If I promise sugar-free flakes, the pack I choose must support that claim. Around 50% of consumers put this requirement first.
Flakes or chocolate sprinkles Check the product type and sugars per 100 g; a chocolate-sprinkle alternative won’t have the same shape as flakes. I can accept chocolate sprinkles if a strict sugar-free requirement doesn’t apply, but I don’t want to promise guests flakes. For around 30% of consumers, this is the main consideration.
Allergens at a self-service buffet Have the allergen information for each product ready and use separate bowls and serving spoons. When guests serve themselves, I want them to know what’s in each bowl before choosing. This is the most important consideration for around 20% of consumers.

Common buffet mistakes

  • Describing ‘less sugar’ as ‘sugar-free’

    A product can contain less sugar than a similar product and still exceed the sugar-free limit. Jumbo lists 7.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Céréal Hagelslag Puur.

    Don’t use the claim on your buffet label until you’ve checked the nutritional information on the pack you’ve chosen.

  • Presenting chocolate sprinkles as flakes

    Chocolate sprinkles are a different shape from flakes. That matters if flakes are part of the buffet presentation you want.

    If the shape is essential, don’t automatically choose chocolate sprinkles as a substitute. Name any alternative accurately.

  • Leaving out allergen information by the bowls

    At an open buffet, guests won’t always have the packaging in front of them. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information for unpackaged products must be provided to consumers in another way.

    Keep the packaging, label each bowl and use separate serving spoons to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.

  • Missing the warning about chocolate sprinkles containing polyols

    Jumbo lists 40 g of polyols per 100 g for Céréal Hagelslag Puur, along with a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

    Read the warning before serving the product and keep the product information available for guests choosing their own portions.

Brands to consider

De Ruijter

A brand to look at if you’re after chocolate flakes in different flavours for your buffet.

  • Albert Heijn lists De Ruijter white, milk and dark chocolate flakes, among other options.
  • Don’t assume a flavour variant is sugar-free; check the nutritional information on the pack you choose.

Venz

A brand to consider when flavour and the presentation of flakes matter.

  • Compare the different variants by product type and flavour before choosing your buffet selection.
  • Only describe a variant as sugar-free if the nutritional information on that pack supports the claim.

Céréal

Worth considering if chocolate sprinkles are an acceptable alternative to flakes.

  • Jumbo lists 7.7 g of sugars and 40 g of polyols per 100 g for Céréal Hagelslag Puur.
  • This product is chocolate sprinkles, and with 7.7 g of sugars per 100 g it doesn’t meet the sugar-free limit set by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Check the allergen information and usage warning too.

Jumbo

A supermarket own brand to compare if you’re considering standard flakes for your buffet.

  • Compare your chosen own-brand variant with other flakes in terms of product shape and nutritional information.
  • Don’t assume an own-brand product is sugar-free without checking the packaging.

Joybuy products related to this topic

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

When can I describe chocolate flakes as sugar-free on the buffet menu?

When the chocolate flakes you’ve chosen contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g: this is the limit the Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets for sugar-free. Check the value on the current packaging; ‘less sugar’ and ‘no added sugars’ don’t mean the same thing.

Can Céréal Hagelslag Puur replace sugar-free chocolate flakes?

No, not if you want to offer sugar-free flakes. Jumbo lists 7.7 g of sugars per 100 g for this product, and it’s chocolate sprinkles, not flakes. It’s only suitable if chocolate sprinkles and that nutritional value meet your buffet requirements.

How do I provide allergen information at a self-service buffet?

Make sure guests can access the allergen information for every product before eating. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that, for unpackaged products, this information must be provided in a way other than on the packaging. Labels by each bowl and keeping the product packaging can help; use separate serving utensils too.

What should I look out for with chocolate sprinkles containing polyols?

Read the usage warning on the packaging before putting the product out at a buffet. For Céréal Hagelslag Puur, Jumbo lists 40 g of polyols per 100 g and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.