If sugar-free is a must for your Sinterklaas breakfast, choose only sprinkles whose nutritional information lists no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g: under the EU conditions on EUR-Lex, that is the limit for the ‘sugar-free’ claim. At 7.7 g of sugars per 100 g, Céréal Hagelslag Puur does not meet that limit, but it could be an option if you’re looking for less sugar and its ingredients suit your preferences.
If ‘sugar-free’ is a firm requirement, check the sugars per 100 g for the exact variety you’re choosing. The EU conditions on EUR-Lex set a limit of no more than 0.5 g per 100 g; ‘less sugar’ doesn’t mean the same thing.
For a Sinterklaas breakfast with sprinkles, you can compare varieties by their sugar content per 100 g. Check the ingredients too if the sweetener used or the flavour matters to you.
If you’re planning breakfast for a particular day, it’s a good idea to check shortly before buying that your preferred variety is available. An existing product page doesn’t necessarily mean that variety is still in stock.
First decide whether ‘sugar-free’ is a firm requirement for you, or whether you’re looking for sprinkles with less sugar. Then check the nutritional information and ingredients on the pack you’ve chosen, especially if you’re serving breakfast to others.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Literally sugar-free | Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g for the variety you’ve chosen. Under the EU conditions on EUR-Lex, a product can contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g to carry the ‘sugar-free’ claim. | If I only want to buy sprinkles that can genuinely be called sugar-free, a ‘less sugar’ claim isn’t enough for me. This strict requirement is the top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Less sugar | Compare the amount of sugars per 100 g, not just a sugar-reduction claim. Check which sweeteners are listed in the ingredients too. | I want sprinkles with less sugar for the celebratory breakfast, but I don’t insist on them being sugar-free. That’s the priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Suitable for the occasion | Check the allergens for your chosen flavour and pack, and make sure that variety is available. | For breakfast during the parade, I want to choose something that suits everyone attending and is available in time. For around 25% of consumers, this practical consideration is the deciding factor. |
Céréal lists 7.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Hagelslag Puur. That’s above the limit of 0.5 g per 100 g for the ‘sugar-free’ claim under the EU conditions on EUR-Lex.
If sugar-free is a strict requirement, let the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g on the pack you’ve chosen guide you, rather than relying on the wording on the front.
A variety with less sugar may use sweeteners. For example, Céréal lists maltitols in its dark chocolate sprinkles; the sugar content alone won’t tell you which ingredients have been used.
Check the ingredients list and allergen information for the specific variety if someone needs to avoid certain ingredients.
Jumbo listed its milk variety with less sugar as no longer available. Albert Heijn listed the Venz milk variety with less sugar as discontinued.
Check shortly before the parade that your preferred variety is available, and decide which other pack would meet your requirements if necessary.
A brand to consider if you’re looking for sprinkles with less sugar.
A supermarket own brand with milk and dark chocolate sprinkles described as varieties with less sugar.
A supermarket own brand with regular sprinkles and a previously listed milk variety with less sugar.
A chocolate sprinkles brand that also has a milk variety listed with a less-sugar claim.
A brand to consider if you’re mainly looking for a particular flavour for a celebratory breakfast.
No. Under the EU conditions on EUR-Lex, the ‘sugar-free’ claim is limited to products with no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. A product labelled ‘less sugar’ may still contain sugar, so check the nutritional information for the variety you’ve chosen.
No. Céréal lists 7.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Hagelslag Puur, which is above the EU limit of 0.5 g per 100 g for the ‘sugar-free’ claim. The variety also contains maltitols; check the ingredients list if the sweetener used matters to your choice.
Check current availability shortly before you buy. Jumbo listed its milk variety with less sugar as no longer available, while Albert Heijn listed the Venz milk variety with less sugar as discontinued.
It depends on the variety. According to Céréal’s product information, Hagelslag Puur contains soya and may contain milk; the Jumbo milk variety described contains milk and may contain gluten and wheat. Before breakfast, check the allergen information on the pack you’re actually buying.
