Who is this choice relevant to?

Shopper with a strict sugar-free requirement

You want your chocolate sprinkles to meet the threshold for the ‘sugar-free’ claim. A pack labelled ‘less sugar’ is not a substitute for you.

Sugar-conscious chocolate sprinkle fan

You want to keep adding chocolate sprinkles to your lunch rusks, so you compare the sugar content. If a variety contains polyols, you also take the warning on the packaging into account.

Consumer looking at their whole packed lunch

You consider more than just the chocolate sprinkles: you also look at the rusks, how much topping you use and what else you take with you.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether sugar-free is an absolute requirement. Only then compare the chocolate sprinkle varieties, and check the rusks and the rest of your lunch separately.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Strictly sugar-free For chocolate sprinkles, check the sugars per 100 g and distinguish between ‘sugar-free’ and ‘less sugar’. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, solid foods can contain a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g to use the ‘sugar-free’ claim. If sugar-free is an absolute requirement for me, I don’t want to rely on a sugar-reduction claim. Around 33% of consumers put this strict requirement first.
Less sugar in chocolate sprinkles Compare sugars and polyols per 100 g, and read the usage warning if the product contains maltitol. Also check the energy and saturated fat content. I want to keep the taste of chocolate sprinkles, but I’m looking for a variety with less sugar and want to know what replaces it. Around 42% of consumers put this trade-off first.
The whole lunch Check the nutritional information for the rusks and topping separately. If you want to add the chocolate sprinkles just before eating, take them with you in a tightly sealed, dry container. When I’m out and about, I want to consider more than just the sugar claim on the topping: the base and the rest of my lunch matter too. Around 25% of consumers put this broader choice first.

Common mistakes

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

    According to Jumbo, Céréal Dark Chocolate Sprinkles contain 7.7 g of sugars per 100 g. The Albert Heijn and Jumbo varieties discussed contain at least 42.6 g per 100 g. None of these figures falls within the EU threshold for the ‘sugar-free’ claim on solid foods.

    If you have a strict requirement, use the sugars per 100 g shown on the current packaging to guide your decision.

  • Overlooking the warning about maltitol

    Jumbo lists 40 g of polyols per 100 g for Céréal Dark Chocolate Sprinkles. The product information warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

    Read the ingredients and the warning before deciding how much chocolate sprinkles to use.

  • Applying the sugar claim to your whole lunch

    ‘Less sugar’ describes a comparison for the topping, not the nutritional value of rusks with chocolate sprinkles as a whole. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre does not include chocolate sprinkles in its Wheel of Five guidelines.

    Also check the nutritional information for your rusks and anything else you have for lunch.

  • Not checking allergens and availability

    The milk chocolate sprinkles from Albert Heijn discussed here contain milk and lactose; the information for Céréal lists soya and possible traces of milk. Jumbo said that the variety discussed was no longer available in its online range.

    Check the current allergen information on the packaging and make sure the variety you want is available.

Brands compared

Céréal

Worth considering if you mainly want to compare the sugar content of dark chocolate sprinkles and are considering a product with maltitol.

  • Jumbo lists 7.7 g of sugars and 40 g of polyols per 100 g for Céréal Dark Chocolate Sprinkles.
  • This product is not sugar-free. The product information warns of a laxative effect if consumed in excess.

Albert Heijn

The own-brand varieties discussed offer a choice between dark and milk chocolate sprinkles, both with a less-sugar claim.

  • According to Albert Heijn, the dark and milk varieties discussed each contain 30% less sugar than their respective reference products.
  • Both varieties list 43 g of sugars per 100 g, so neither is a sugar-free option. The milk variety contains milk and lactose.

Jumbo

The own-brand variety discussed is milk chocolate sprinkles with a sugar-reduction claim.

  • Jumbo lists 42.6 g of sugars per 100 g for its Less Sugar Milk Chocolate Sprinkles, with a claim of 30% less sugar than Jumbo Milk Chocolate Sprinkles.
  • This variety is not sugar-free. Check current availability: Jumbo said the product was no longer in its online range.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are chocolate sprinkles labelled ‘less sugar’ also sugar-free?

No, these claims don’t mean the same thing. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, solid foods can only use the ‘sugar-free’ claim if they contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. So check the nutritional information for the chocolate sprinkles you choose.

When might Céréal Dark Chocolate Sprinkles suit me?

Céréal Dark Chocolate Sprinkles may suit you if you’re looking for chocolate sprinkles with less sugar, but not if you want a strictly sugar-free option. Jumbo lists 7.7 g of sugars and 40 g of polyols per 100 g. Also read the warning about a laxative effect if consumed in excess.

How should I take rusks with chocolate sprinkles with me?

Pack the rusks and chocolate sprinkles separately in well-sealed containers if you want to add the sprinkles just before eating. The product information discussed recommends storing chocolate sprinkles in a dry, dark place at room temperature. Follow the instructions on the packaging you buy.

Do chocolate sprinkles with less sugar make the whole lunch sugar-free?

No, a claim about chocolate sprinkles doesn’t automatically apply to rusks with chocolate sprinkles or the rest of your lunch. Compare the nutritional information for each product separately and consider how much you use.

Do rusks always contain iodine from baking salt?

No, you can’t assume this is true of every rusk. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine compounds may be present in bakery products through baking salt, while the Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that bakers are not required to use baking salt. Check the ingredients in the rusks if this matters to your choice.