Who is this distinction important for?

People who need a strictly sugar-free option

You want the nutrition table to show no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. ‘No added sugar’ on its own isn’t enough for you.

People looking for a quick breakfast

You’re after cornflakes that you can quickly serve with milk, yoghurt or quark, and your main aim is to avoid added sugar.

People who check the label more closely

You compare fibre and salt as well as sugars, check the ingredients, or look out for allergens such as soya and gluten-containing cereals.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide whether you mean ‘sugar-free’ or simply want to avoid added sugar. Then check whether the preparation and label suit your breakfast routine.

What to look for What to check before buying Who it matters to
Strictly sugar-free Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. For cornflakes to carry the EU ‘sugar-free’ claim, they must contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. If I’m looking for genuinely sugar-free cornflakes, ‘no added sugar’ isn’t enough for me. For around 50% of consumers, meeting that strict limit is the priority.
Quick preparation Check the serving size and what you’ll need to serve the cornflakes, especially if you want to take breakfast with you. On a busy morning, I want to know whether I can put breakfast together without much preparation. Speed is the main concern for around 30% of consumers.
Other label information Compare fibre and salt per 100 g, and check the ingredients, allergens and any warnings about possible traces. If I need to consider ingredients or allergens as well as sugar, one figure can’t determine my choice. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this broader label check.

Common mistakes

  • Reading ‘no added sugar’ as ‘sugar-free’

    A product with no added sugar can still contain naturally occurring sugars. Jumbo lists 1.0 g of sugars per 100 g for Smaakt Bio Cornflakes Ongezoet, above the 0.5 g per 100 g limit for the EU ‘sugar-free’ claim.

    If you want to choose a strictly sugar-free product, use the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g.

  • Assuming plain cornflakes are low in sugar

    Jumbo’s product information lists 4.5 g of sugars per 100 g for Jumbo Cornflakes; Albert Heijn lists 8 g per 100 g for Kellogg's Corn Flakes. Both ingredient lists include sugar.

    Compare the ingredients list and nutrition table for the specific variety, rather than relying on the brand name or the front of the pack.

  • Looking only at sugars

    The sugar content doesn’t tell you how much fibre or salt the product contains, or which allergens are listed. For example, Albert Heijn lists soya for AH Biologisch Cornflakes.

    Before buying, check the nutrition information and allergen declaration on the current packaging, including any warnings about possible traces.

Brands worth comparing

Albert Heijn

AH Biologisch Cornflakes is a specific option to consider if you need a strictly sugar-free product.

  • Albert Heijn lists 0.3 g of sugars and 5 g of fibre per 100 g for this variety.
  • The product contains soya. Check the packaging, as product information can change.

Smaakt

Smaakt Bio Cornflakes Ongezoet suits anyone looking to avoid added sugar, but not those who need a strictly sugar-free product.

  • Jumbo lists organic maize as an ingredient and states that this variety contains ‘no added sugar’.
  • The nutrition table lists 1.0 g of sugars per 100 g. Also check for warnings about possible traces of allergens.

Jumbo

Jumbo Cornflakes is a standard fortified variety to compare with if sugar-free isn’t a requirement.

  • The product information lists added vitamins and iron.
  • The ingredients include sugar and barley; the nutrition table lists 4.5 g of sugars per 100 g.

Kellogg's

The standard Corn Flakes are a useful comparison if you’re considering regular cornflakes rather than a sugar-free variety.

  • Albert Heijn lists the ingredients and nutrition information for this specific variety.
  • The ingredients include sugar and barley malt extract; the nutrition table lists 8 g of sugars and 1.1 g of salt per 100 g.

ALDI / Golden Bridge

Golden Bridge Cornflakes is a standard variety to assess by checking the label.

  • Before choosing this variety to meet a sugar-free goal, check the ingredients and sugars per 100 g on the packaging.

Cornflakes on Joybuy

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are cornflakes with no added sugar also sugar-free?

No, not necessarily. The EU ‘sugar-free’ claim allows a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. Jumbo says Smaakt Bio Cornflakes Ongezoet has no added sugar, but it does contain 1.0 g of sugars per 100 g.

Which cornflakes can I consider if I need a strictly sugar-free option?

AH Biologisch Cornflakes is one option to consider: Albert Heijn lists 0.3 g of sugars per 100 g, below the 0.5 g per 100 g limit for the EU ‘sugar-free’ claim. Check the value on the packaging when you buy it, as product information can change.

Are cornflakes ready to take with me?

Not if you want to eat them as Albert Heijn suggests serving them: AH Biologisch Cornflakes is served with milk, yoghurt or quark. Plan ahead for how you’ll take this combination with you or prepare it when you get there.

Should I check allergens in cornflakes too?

Yes, check the allergen declaration for the specific variety. Albert Heijn lists soya for AH Biologisch Cornflakes, Jumbo lists barley for Jumbo Cornflakes, and Smaakt Bio Cornflakes Ongezoet carries warnings about the possible presence of various allergens.