Parents for whom sugar-free is a firm requirement
They’re looking for an egg cake that meets the ‘sugar-free’ claim, not just one with less sugar or no added sugar.
If sugar-free is a firm requirement for a children’s treat, choose only an egg cake whose current packaging carries the claim ‘sugar-free’ and lists no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. If it isn’t a requirement, a small regular or wholemeal egg cake could be an option, but wholemeal varieties also contain sugar. Before handing them out, check the label, any allergies and the school or after-school club’s rules.
They’re looking for an egg cake that meets the ‘sugar-free’ claim, not just one with less sugar or no added sugar.
They’re considering a regular, mini or wholemeal egg cake and comparing the amount per cake, without sugar-free being a requirement.
They want to find out in advance about any allergies, dietary preferences and rules for treats at school or the after-school club.
First, decide whether ‘sugar-free’ is a strict requirement. Then check whether the egg cake is suitable for the group and how much each child will get.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar-free claim | Look for the exact claim ‘sugar-free’ and check the sugars per 100 g. Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, products carrying this claim must contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. | If the treat really must not include an egg cake containing regular sugar, I don’t want to rely on ‘wholemeal’ or ‘no added sugars’. For around 42% of these consumers, the sugar-free claim comes first. |
| Group rules | Ask about the school or after-school club’s policy and any relevant allergies or dietary preferences; then check the current ingredients and allergen information. | I’m handing treats out to several children and want to know in advance whether they’re allowed and suitable for them. Group rules are the main concern for around 33% of these consumers. |
| Portion and number of cakes | Compare the weight and sugars per cake with the number of cakes you need. | If every child gets one cake, I want to know how large the portion is and whether I have enough. Around 25% of these consumers prioritise portion size and how easy the cakes are to hand out. |
These terms don’t mean the same thing. Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, ‘sugar-free’ may only be used when a product contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 10 g of sugars in a 30 g wholemeal egg cake.
If sugar-free is a requirement, check both the exact claim and the sugars per 100 g on the current packaging.
An egg cake that seems suitable at home might not meet the needs of a whole group with allergies, dietary preferences or specific rules.
Ask the school, after-school club or parents concerned what the rules are beforehand. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also recommends considering children who don’t eat certain products.
How much each child actually gets matters too when handing out treats. A smaller portion also doesn’t change whether the product is sugar-free.
Check the weight and sugars per cake, and count how many you’ll need for the group.
Albert Heijn lists mini and wholemeal egg cakes, among other varieties, so you can compare sizes.
Brosse Eierkoeken with a milk coating are a specific variety, not an example of a sugar-free egg cake.
Lidl lists egg cakes in packs of 12, making it easy to compare the pack size with the number of people in your group.
ALDI lists Heerlijck Banket Scharreleierkoeken in packs of 12.
No. Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, an egg cake may only be labelled ‘sugar-free’ if it contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. Products labelled ‘no added sugars’ may still contain naturally occurring sugars.
No, ‘wholemeal’ isn’t a sugar-free claim. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 10 g of sugars and 1.1 g of fibre in a 30 g wholemeal egg cake. Check the nutritional information for the egg cake you’re planning to buy.
That depends on the rules for the group in question and the children receiving the treats. Ask in advance about the school’s treat policy and any relevant allergies or dietary preferences. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends taking these into account when choosing treats for children.
The current packaging helps you check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values of the egg cake you’re buying. Albert Heijn points out that this product information can change, so check it again if a sugar-related or allergy requirement is important.