If you want to keep the aniseed flavour of crushed aniseed sprinkles, regular De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes are an option, but they are not sugar-free: Albert Heijn lists 79 g of sugars per 100 g. If reducing sugar matters more to you than aniseed, you could compare chocolate sprinkles with a reduced-sugar claim. These products are not sugar-free either, so check the nutritional information and, for products containing polyols, the usage warning.
A reduced-sugar claim is not enough for you. According to Albert Heijn, De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes contain 79 g of sugars per 100 g; the reduced-sugar sprinkles discussed here also contain sugars. So check the nutritional information for the specific product before choosing it for your store cupboard.
You are happy to swap aniseed for chocolate if the sugar content matters more to you. When comparing sprinkles, look beyond the claim on the front of the pack: check the sugars per 100 g and the ingredients too. If you choose a variety containing polyols, also check the warning about excessive consumption.
You are looking for the flavour and use of crushed aniseed, for example on bread or crispbread. Jumbo describes De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes as crushed, sugar-coated aniseed. Reduced-sugar chocolate sprinkles are not a like-for-like replacement.
First decide whether sugar-free is essential and whether you want to keep the aniseed flavour. Only then is it worth comparing other types of sprinkles by their nutritional information and packaging.
| What to consider | What to check | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar-free as a requirement | Check the ‘of which sugars’ row per 100 g. The Voedingscentrum sets a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g for a ‘sugar-free’ claim. | If only a sugar-free product will do, a ‘reduced sugar’ claim should not be the deciding factor. Around 40% of consumers prioritise sugar-free products. |
| Aniseed flavour | Check the product type and ingredients: crushed aniseed sprinkles are not chocolate sprinkles. | If you want sprinkles for their familiar aniseed flavour on bread or crispbread, switching to chocolate is unlikely to suit you. Around 30% of consumers prioritise keeping the aniseed flavour. |
| Less sugar | Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and check what product a reduced-sugar claim is comparing it with. | If aniseed is not essential, reduced-sugar chocolate sprinkles may suit your store cupboard. A lower sugar content is the main reason for choosing a product for around 20% of consumers. |
| Practical storage | Check the pack size and the nutritional information for the variety you want to buy. | If you want to keep several packs in stock, the most important things are whether the size and product type will work for you. This practical need is the deciding factor for around 10% of consumers. |
A reduced-sugar claim compares products; it does not mean there is no sugar in the product. Albert Heijn lists 43 g of sugars per 100 g for its reduced-sugar sprinkles. The Voedingscentrum sets a maximum of 0.5 g per 100 g for a ‘sugar-free’ claim.
Check the sugars per 100 g on the pack, even if the front carries a sugar-reduction claim.
A reduced-sugar variety may taste different from crushed aniseed sprinkles. So comparing sugar content alone will not tell you whether the topping suits the way you plan to use it.
Decide before you buy whether aniseed is essential. If it is, look for an aniseed-based alternative rather than treating chocolate sprinkles as an equivalent replacement.
According to the product information, the Céréal milk chocolate sprinkles with less sugar reviewed contain maltitols. The pack warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Read the ingredients, nutritional information and usage warning on the pack you choose.
A suitable pack size does not necessarily make a variety of sprinkles right for your requirements around sugar or aniseed.
When stocking up, also check the product type, ingredients and nutritional information on the label.
These product ranges illustrate the choices involved when comparing aniseed with reduced-sugar sprinkles; the details given apply to the varieties described.
Gestampte Muisjes are worth considering if you are looking for crushed aniseed to sprinkle on food.
The reduced-sugar milk and dark chocolate sprinkles are options if chocolate suits you better than aniseed.
The reduced-sugar milk chocolate sprinkles are a different type of product from crushed aniseed sprinkles.
ALDI lists regular chocolate sprinkles and fruit sprinkles under this brand as bread toppings.
No. Albert Heijn lists 79 g of sugars per 100 g for De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes. The Voedingscentrum sets a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g for a ‘sugar-free’ claim.
No. ‘Reduced sugar’ compares a product with another product and does not rule out a significant sugar content. According to Albert Heijn, the AH reduced-sugar sprinkles contain 43 g of sugars per 100 g.
Only if you are happy to change the product type and flavour too. Crushed aniseed sprinkles contain aniseed; the reduced-sugar alternatives discussed here are chocolate sprinkles.
As well as the sugars, check the ingredients and usage warning. The milk chocolate variety reviewed contains maltitols and states that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
