Who is this choice relevant to?

Shoppers who need a strictly sugar-free option

You’re looking for chocolate sprinkles that meet the ‘sugar-free’ threshold. A pack labelled ‘less sugar’ isn’t enough; check the amount of sugars per 100 g.

Sugar-conscious chocolate sprinkle fans

You want to keep enjoying chocolate sprinkles on your rusks, but are looking for a lower-sugar variety. Compare the absolute amount of sugars per 100 g as well as the amount you use per serving.

Shoppers keeping an eye on sweeteners or allergens

As well as sugars, you check for polyols, milk, lactose or soya. If you’re sensitive to polyols, this can be a practical consideration, particularly before an outing: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, large amounts can cause bowel problems.

What should you look for when choosing rusks with chocolate sprinkles?

First decide whether ‘sugar-free’ is an absolute requirement or whether you’re looking for a lower-sugar variety. Then check that the ingredients and allergens suit your needs.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Sugar-free or less sugar Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, chocolate sprinkles must contain no more than 0.5 g per 100 g to be labelled ‘sugar-free’. If sugar-free is an absolute requirement for me, a relative reduction in sugar isn’t enough. For around 46% of consumers, this strict requirement comes first.
Amount of sugars Compare the amount of sugars per 100 g and check how much chocolate sprinkles you use per serving; a reduction percentage alone doesn’t tell you how much sugar the product contains. I want to keep eating chocolate sprinkles on my rusks, but limit the amount of sugar. Around 36% of consumers give this consideration the highest priority.
Polyols and allergens Read the ingredients and allergen information, and check the packaging for any warning about a laxative effect. Before visiting a café terrace, I mainly want to know whether my chosen chocolate sprinkles suit my sensitivity to polyols or my allergen requirements. This matters most to around 18% of consumers.

Common mistakes when choosing

  • Assuming ‘less sugar’ means ‘sugar-free’

    A reduction compared with another product doesn’t mean the chocolate sprinkles meet the ‘sugar-free’ threshold.

    Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, chocolate sprinkles can only be labelled ‘sugar-free’ if they contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g.

  • Overlooking polyols in a lower-sugar product

    According to the product information at Jumbo, Céréal Hagelslag Puur contains 40 g of polyols per 100 g and carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that large amounts of polyols can cause bowel problems.

    Read the ingredients and warnings before choosing a variety with sweeteners, especially if you’re sensitive to polyols and will be away from home afterwards.

  • Checking only the chocolate sprinkle packaging

    Allergens vary between chocolate sprinkle products. And the fact that baker’s salt may legally be enriched with iodine in bakery products under the Commodities Act Decree tells you nothing about the iodine content of a particular rusk.

    Check the packaging of both the chocolate sprinkles and the rusks. If iodine is relevant to your choice, ask about the ingredients in the specific rusk.

Brands to compare

Céréal

Céréal Hagelslag Puur is a useful point of comparison if you’re looking for less sugar and are considering a product with sweeteners.

  • Jumbo’s product information lists 7.7 g of sugars and 40 g of polyols per 100 g.
  • These chocolate sprinkles aren’t sugar-free. They contain soya, may contain milk and carry a warning about a possible laxative effect if consumed in excess.

Albert Heijn

AH Hagelslag melk minder suiker is a milk chocolate variety you can compare with AH Melk hagelslag.

  • According to Albert Heijn, this variety contains 30% less sugar than AH Melk hagelslag.
  • The product information still lists 43 g of sugars per 100 g, as well as milk and lactose. This variety isn’t sugar-free.

Jumbo

Jumbo Hagelslag Melk Minder Suiker shows why it’s worth checking the amount of sugars and whether the specific variety is available, as well as looking at any reduction claim.

  • Jumbo’s product information states that it contains 30% less sugar than Jumbo hagelslag melk and 42.6 g of sugars per 100 g.
  • Jumbo says this variety is no longer part of its online range. The stated sugar content also fails to meet the ‘sugar-free’ threshold.

Products at Joybuy to help you choose

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

When can chocolate sprinkles be labelled ‘sugar-free’?

Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, chocolate sprinkles can only be labelled ‘sugar-free’ if the product contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. ‘Less sugar’ compares a product with another one and doesn’t confirm that it meets this threshold.

What should I check if I want chocolate sprinkles with less sugar?

Compare the amount of sugars per 100 g, not just the reduction percentage. Also look at the nutritional information, including fat content and how much you use per serving, and check the ingredients and allergen information.

Could chocolate sprinkles containing maltitol be inconvenient before visiting a café terrace?

They could be if you’re sensitive to polyols. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, large amounts of polyols can cause bowel problems. The product information at Jumbo says Céréal Hagelslag Puur carries a warning about a possible laxative effect if consumed in excess.

Does the regulation on baker’s salt mean that every rusk contains iodine?

No. The permitted addition of iodine through baker’s salt doesn’t confirm that a particular rusk contains iodine. The Commodities Act Decree covers the addition of baker’s salt to bakery products; check the label on your rusk or ask the manufacturer about its ingredients.