Which choice is right for you?

Parents with a strict sugar-free requirement

For you, ‘less sugar’ isn’t the same as ‘sugar-free’. When choosing egg cakes, check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g and assess the claim against the limit in EU Regulation 1924/2006.

Parents looking to reduce added sugar

You want an easy snack to pack and might be open to something other than an egg cake. ‘No added sugars’ doesn’t tell you how much sugar the product contains in total, so check the nutrition information and ingredients list too.

Parents who need to check gluten and allergens

For school or an after-school club, you need to check which ingredients and allergens matter for your child and the setting. A gluten-free label doesn’t automatically mean that an egg cake is sugar-free.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether sugar-free is an absolute requirement. Then consider the type of product, portion size and allergens for an after-school snack.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Sugar-free Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. Under EU Regulation 1924/2006, a product can be labelled sugar-free only if it contains no more than 0.5 g per 100 g. If sugar-free is an absolute requirement, you won’t want to rely on a claim that refers only to added sugars. Around 42% of consumers prioritise this requirement.
Added sugars and portion size Compare total sugars per 100 g and per portion. If the product claims to have ‘no added sugars’, check the ingredients list too, for example for sweeteners. For a snack to take with you, you might be happy to choose a different type of product, as long as you can assess its ingredients and portion size. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this.
Gluten and allergens Check the current packaging for a gluten-free label and the full allergen information. Also take the school or after-school club’s rules into account. Before packing something, you need to know whether it’s suitable for the allergens that matter for your child or at school. This is the first consideration for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘no added sugars’ means ‘sugar-free’

    These claims don’t mean the same thing. Peijnenburg lists 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g for its breakfast cake with no added sugars. That’s above the limit for a ‘sugar-free’ claim under EU Regulation 1924/2006.

    If sugar-free is essential, check total sugars per 100 g rather than relying on the wording on the front of the pack.

  • Assuming ‘wholemeal’ or ‘spelt’ means less sugar

    The type of flour doesn’t tell you how much sugar an egg cake contains. Jumbo’s product information listed 26.7 g of sugars per 100 g for a multigrain variety and 28.3 g for a spelt variety. These product pages also say that the products are no longer available in the online range.

    For a product you’re thinking of buying, compare the current nutrition information per 100 g and, if listed, per portion.

  • Confusing gluten-free with sugar-free

    According to Albert Heijn, AH Gluten-Free Egg Cakes contain 33 g of sugars per 100 g. The gluten-free label doesn’t change the sugar content.

    Check gluten, other allergens and sugars separately on the packaging.

  • Relying on a product page you looked at previously

    Ingredients and allergen information can change. This matters if a snack needs to comply with the rules at school or an after-school club.

    Check the packaging again before packing the product, and check the rules on bringing in or sharing food.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Worth considering if you’re looking at an egg cake labelled gluten-free and want to assess its sugar content separately.

  • AH Gluten-Free Egg Cakes are labelled gluten-free.
  • Albert Heijn lists 33 g of sugars and 32 g of added sugars per 100 g for this product. Check the current packaging for other allergens too.

Jumbo

Worth considering if you want to compare egg cakes in different varieties and sizes.

  • Jumbo’s category overview includes wholemeal egg cakes, among other options.
  • The type of grain doesn’t tell you how much sugar the product contains. Check the nutrition information for the product you choose.

Bolletje

Worth considering if you’re looking for a crisp egg cake as an individual portion.

  • The described Brosse milk egg cake is individually wrapped.
  • The allergen information for this variety lists cereals containing gluten, wheat, egg, soya and milk. An individual pack doesn’t make the product sugar-free.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘no added sugars’ mean the same as ‘sugar-free’?

No. Under EU Regulation 1924/2006, a solid product can be labelled ‘sugar-free’ only if it contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. A product with no added sugars can still contain sugar: Peijnenburg lists 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g for its breakfast cake with this claim.

Is a gluten-free egg cake also a low-sugar choice?

The gluten-free label doesn’t tell you that. According to Albert Heijn, AH Gluten-Free Egg Cakes contain 33 g of sugars and 32 g of added sugars per 100 g. Check both separately on the packaging.

What could I consider instead of egg cakes for after school?

The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends snacks such as vegetables, fruit and wholemeal bread for children. If you choose a packaged alternative, compare the nutrition information per 100 g and per portion, the ingredients and the allergens against what matters in your situation.

Should I check allergens again for school or an after-school club?

Yes. Check the current packaging when you buy the product, and find out what rules the school or after-school club has for bringing in and sharing food. Albert Heijn says that product information, including ingredients and allergens, can change. So don’t rely solely on information you checked previously when you buy the product again.