Who is this relevant to?

Party planner with a strict sugar-free requirement

You don’t want to rely on a ‘less sugar’ claim. Instead, you want to check the amount of sugars per 100 g before putting the sprinkles on the table.

Party planner looking to reduce sugar

You want to compare sprinkles with less sugar, even if they aren’t sugar-free. Ingredients such as sweeteners and what your guests can expect them to taste like also matter.

Party planner who wants to shop practically

You want enough rusks and sprinkles for several guests, so your main considerations are the variety, pack size and availability. Reducing sugar isn’t a strict requirement.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether ‘sugar-free’ is a strict requirement. Then compare the sprinkles’ nutritional information per 100 g and choose the rusks you want to serve separately.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Genuinely sugar-free Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g on the sprinkles. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets the threshold for ‘sugar-free’ at no more than 0.5 g per 100 g. If I want only sugar-free sprinkles for my party, ‘less sugar’ isn’t enough. This strict requirement would come first for around 42% of consumers.
Less sugar Compare the sugars per 100 g. If the variety contains sweeteners, check the ingredients and any warnings on the packaging too. I want less sugar on my rusks, but don’t need to choose strictly sugar-free products, and I take sweeteners into account. Reducing sugar would be the main priority for around 33% of consumers.
Party shopping Work out how many rusks you want to serve, choose the type of rusk, then check the pack size and current availability of the sprinkles. When I’m hosting several guests, my main concern is having enough rusks and sprinkles at home. Around 25% of consumers would prioritise practical party shopping.

Pitfalls when shopping

  • Confusing ‘less sugar’ with ‘sugar-free’

    A sugar-reduction claim doesn’t mean a product falls below the threshold for ‘sugar-free’. Albert Heijn states that AH Hagelslag puur minder suiker contains 43 g of sugars per 100 g; Jumbo lists 42.6 g per 100 g for Jumbo Hagelslag Melk Minder Suiker.

    If sugar-free is a strict requirement, check the amount of sugars per 100 g on the exact pack rather than relying on the wording on the front.

  • Serving a reduced-sugar variety without checking it first

    Jumbo lists 7.7 g of sugars and 40 g of polyols per 100 g for Céréal Hagelslag Puur. The product information lists maltitol and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

    Read the ingredients and warnings before choosing these sprinkles for your guests. The lower sugar content doesn’t make the product sugar-free.

  • Checking allergens only when it’s time to serve

    The product information for Céréal Hagelslag Puur lists soya and possible traces of milk; the information for AH Hagelslag puur minder suiker lists milk and lactose. This information matters if your guests need to avoid certain ingredients.

    Read the allergen information on the exact pack and keep it available when serving.

  • Assuming a product listing confirms it’s in stock

    Jumbo lists its 200 g Hagelslag Melk Minder Suiker as no longer available in its online range. Lidl lists Mister CHOC Hagelslag puur as an in-store product.

    Check where your chosen variety is available shortly before the party. If you have a strict sugar-free requirement, check the label on any alternative too.

Brands and own-label options to consider

The sprinkles mentioned from these brands and own-label ranges vary in sugar content, ingredients and packaging. The brand name alone doesn’t tell you whether a variety is sugar-free.

Céréal

Céréal Hagelslag Puur is worth considering if reducing sugar matters more to you than a strictly sugar-free claim.

  • Jumbo lists 7.7 g of sugars and 40 g of polyols per 100 g for this variety.
  • This variety isn’t sugar-free. The product information lists maltitol, soya, possible traces of milk and a warning about excessive consumption.

Albert Heijn

The own-label range includes a dark chocolate sprinkles variety with a less-sugar claim; choose your rusks separately.

  • According to Albert Heijn, AH Hagelslag puur minder suiker contains 30% less sugar than AH Chocolade hagel puur. Albert Heijn also offers several types of rusk, including plain and wholemeal.
  • The sprinkles contain 43 g of sugars per 100 g, so they aren’t sugar-free. Check the nutritional and allergen information on the pack you buy.

Jumbo

Jumbo Hagelslag Melk Minder Suiker shows why a sugar-reduction claim and availability both need checking.

  • The product information states that this variety contains 30% less sugar and lists 42.6 g of sugars per 100 g.
  • This variety isn’t sugar-free, and Jumbo also lists it as no longer available in its online range.

De Ruijter

A brand to consider if you’re looking for a standard variety of chocolate sprinkles for your party.

  • Jumbo lists products including De Ruijter Hagelslag Puur and Hagelslag Melk in 390 g packs.
  • Check the sugar content and allergens for your chosen variety on its own label; a standard variety isn’t sugar-free just because of its brand name.

Kiekeboe / ALDI

A standard dark chocolate sprinkles option to compare by pack size.

  • ALDI lists Kiekeboe dark chocolate sprinkles in a 600 g pack.
  • Check the nutritional information on the pack before choosing this variety if you’re watching your sugar intake.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘less sugar’ mean the same as sugar-free?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘sugar-free’ means no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g for chocolate sprinkles. A ‘less sugar’ claim compares a product with another product, but doesn’t replace checking the nutritional values per 100 g.

Is Céréal Hagelslag Puur sugar-free?

No. Jumbo lists 7.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Céréal Hagelslag Puur. The product information also lists maltitol and 40 g of polyols per 100 g, along with a warning about excessive consumption. Check the allergen information too before choosing this variety for your guests.

How do I compare chocolate sprinkles for a birthday party?

Compare the nutritional values of the sprinkles per 100 g, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends when checking labels. Then check the ingredients and allergens for the exact varieties you’re considering, and work out how much you’ll need for your guests.

Which rusks should I choose if I’m also looking at fibre?

Compare the fibre content on the packs of the rusk varieties you’re considering; your choice of rusks doesn’t change the sugar claim for the sprinkles. Albert Heijn offers plain, wholemeal and high-fibre rusks, among others, but check the nutritional information on the pack you choose.

How should I store chocolate sprinkles after the party?

Follow the storage instructions and use-by date on the pack of your chosen sprinkles. The product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo for the varieties mentioned recommends storing them in a cool, dry, dark place.