Parents with a strict sugar-free requirement
You’re looking for flakes that can genuinely be described as ‘sugar-free’. ‘Reduced sugar’ or ‘no added sugar’ does not meet the same requirement.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Parents who want less sugar
You want to limit the amount of sugar in a topping, but don’t necessarily need a sugar-free product. You could also compare a different type of product to flakes.
Party organisers checking ingredients
You’re choosing a topping for bread, a dessert or a cake, and want to know in advance which allergens and other ingredients are listed on the packaging.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether ‘sugar-free’ is a firm requirement. Then check the ingredients for the children who’ll be eating the topping. Only consider the shape and quantity of the topping once the product meets your requirements.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Strictly sugar-free | Look for the ‘sugar-free’ claim and check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, this claim requires a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. | If I really need to bring sugar-free flakes to the party, ‘reduced sugar’ isn’t enough. Around 36% of consumers make this strict requirement their top priority. |
| Less sugar | Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figures per 100 g for products of the same type. Don’t read ‘reduced sugar’ or ‘no added sugar’ as meaning ‘sugar-free’. | If you mainly want to limit the amount of sugar in the topping, you could also consider a different type of product. This is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the label on the exact pack for allergens, any sweeteners and warnings. | If children need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what’s in the chosen topping before serving it. Checking the ingredients is the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| How it will be used at the party | Choose the type and quantity of topping you want only after checking the nutrition information and ingredients. | For bread, desserts or cake, I want a topping that suits what I’m serving. Around 14% of consumers put this practical consideration first. |
Common mistakes
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Reading ‘no added sugar’ as ‘sugar-free’
These are different claims. A product with no added sugar may still contain sugars that occur naturally.
If sugar-free is a requirement, check both the claim and the amount of sugars per 100 g on the packaging.
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Assuming from the brand name
Jumbo lists 70 g of sugars per 100 g for De Ruijter Chocoladevlokken Melk; Albert Heijn lists 63 g per 100 g for AH Melk chocolade vlokken. These figures apply to these variants, not to every product from either brand.
Compare the nutrition information for the exact flakes you want to buy.
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Checking allergens only when serving
The milk chocolate flakes checked list milk and lactose; the ingredients for the De Ruijter variant checked also include soya lecithin.
Ask in advance which ingredients the children need to avoid, and read the label on the pack you’ll actually be using.
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Serving an alternative without checking the ingredients
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, any sweeteners used are listed by name or E number in the ingredients list. Products containing more than 10% added polyols must carry a warning on the label about their possible laxative effect.
Check the ingredients and any warnings before choosing an alternative for the party.
Brands to consider
A brand name doesn’t tell you whether flakes are sugar-free. The nutrition information below applies to the specific variant named in each case.
De Ruijter
De Ruijter makes chocolate flakes for bread; Jumbo lists the milk variant.
- For De Ruijter Chocoladevlokken Melk, Jumbo lists the ingredients and allergens.
- Jumbo lists 70 g of sugars per 100 g for this milk variant. It isn’t a sugar-free option.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn sells its own-brand milk chocolate flakes, as well as products from other topping categories aimed at people watching their sugar intake.
- For AH Melk chocolade vlokken, the ingredients, allergens and nutrition information per 100 g are listed.
- According to Albert Heijn, these flakes contain 63 g of sugars per 100 g. ‘Reduced sugar’ chocolate sprinkles from its sugar-conscious range are not proof that its flakes are sugar-free.
Venz
Albert Heijn lists products including Venz Tijgervlokken and Krokovlokken in its flakes category.
- These variants give you a starting point for choosing the type of flakes you want.
- Don’t assume a variant is sugar-free based on its brand name or category. Check the claim and nutrition information for the exact product.
Related Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
What does ‘sugar-free’ mean on packaging?
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the ‘sugar-free’ nutrition claim means a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g or 100 ml. For flakes, check the figure per 100 g and read the packaging for the variant you’ve chosen.
Does ‘no added sugar’ mean the same as sugar-free?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘no added sugar’ means that no sugars or other foods used for their sweetening properties have been added. Sugars that occur naturally may still be present. ‘Sugar-free’ has a separate limit of a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g or 100 ml.
Are regular De Ruijter and Albert Heijn milk chocolate flakes sugar-free?
The milk variants checked aren’t: Jumbo lists 70 g of sugars per 100 g for De Ruijter Chocoladevlokken Melk, while Albert Heijn lists 63 g per 100 g for AH Melk chocolade vlokken. Check the label of any other variants separately.
Which allergens should I check for a children's party?
Read the allergen information on the pack you’ll be using. The AH milk flakes checked list milk and lactose; the De Ruijter milk flakes checked also list milk and lactose, and their ingredients list includes soya lecithin.
What should I look for if an alternative contains sweeteners?
Read the ingredients list and any warnings on the label. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, any sweeteners used are listed by name or E number. If a product contains more than 10% added polyols, the packaging carries a warning about their possible laxative effect.