People with a strict sugar-free requirement
You want to use only flakes that can genuinely be labelled sugar-free for Christmas breakfast. Under European Union Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the limit is no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g.
Who is this choice relevant to?
People who want to keep the flake shape
You’re looking for chocolate flakes to sprinkle over your Christmas brunch, and are happy with regular flakes if sugar-free isn’t a must. For seasonal varieties, check the nutritional information and allergens for the product you choose.
People considering chocolate instead
You might prefer to shave chocolate yourself rather than use ready-made flakes. Don’t treat ‘no added sugars’ as equivalent to ‘sugar-free’, and check which sweeteners are listed on the label.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether sugar-free is essential. Then weigh up whether you’d rather have the familiar flake shape or the option of shaving a different chocolate product yourself.
Chocolate you shave yourself
When to choose it: if you find a chocolate product that meets your strict sugar-free requirement and want to make the flakes yourself.
The trade-off: you’ll need to shave the chocolate yourself; ‘no added sugars’ alone isn’t enough for a sugar-free choice.
Regular festive flakes
When to choose them: if having flakes you can sprinkle is more important and sugar-free isn’t a requirement.
The trade-off: this option won’t automatically meet a sugar-free requirement; Jumbo lists 74 g of sugars per 100 g for De Ruijter Feestvlokken.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Strictly sugar-free | Look for the exact ‘sugar-free’ claim and check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. For solid flakes, the European Union limit is no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. | For Christmas breakfast, I only want flakes that meet the sugar-free requirement. This is the top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Festive flake shape | Compare the shape and flavour; for seasonal flakes, check the ingredients and allergens too. | I want flakes I can sprinkle and am happy with regular flakes if sugar-free isn’t essential. For around 29% of consumers, that flake experience is the deciding factor. |
| Chocolate as an alternative | If you’re buying chocolate to shave yourself, check the claim, sugars per 100 g and sweeteners used on the label. | If I shave chocolate myself, I can do without ready-made flakes, but I still want to check the ingredients. This alternative is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘dark’ means ‘sugar-free’
The colour or flavour of chocolate doesn’t tell you whether the flakes meet the sugar-free requirement. Jumbo lists sugar as the first ingredient in De Ruijter Feestvlokken and gives the sugar content as 74 g per 100 g.
Check the exact claim and the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g, whatever the variety’s name or colour.
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Checking allergens only after you’ve chosen
When you’re serving Christmas brunch to several people, the ingredients could affect your choice. Jumbo lists wheat and soya for De Ruijter Feestvlokken; they may also contain milk.
Before buying, read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the variety you plan to serve.
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Equating ‘no added sugars’ with ‘sugar-free’
A chocolate product with no added sugars may still contain sugars, so it won’t automatically meet the limit for a ‘sugar-free’ claim.
Even if you plan to shave the chocolate yourself, check the nutritional information per 100 g and the ingredients. According to Voedingscentrum, any sweeteners used are listed on the label.
Brands to consider
De Ruijter
De Ruijter Feestvlokken are an example of ready-made festive chocolate flakes for anyone looking for flakes to sprinkle.
- Feestvlokken offer the sprinkle-on shape that works well for Christmas breakfast.
- They’re not a sugar-free option: Jumbo lists 74 g of sugars per 100 g. Check the allergens listed too.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s flakes range includes own-brand varieties and products from other brands.
- The range features different flake shapes and flavours.
- Don’t assume a plain or dark variety is sugar-free without checking its claim and nutritional information.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s flakes range includes own-brand varieties and De Ruijter festive flakes.
- The product information for De Ruijter Feestvlokken lists the ingredients and sugars per 100 g, so you can check whether they meet your requirements.
- Check the latest nutritional information and allergens for each variety separately; the details for Feestvlokken don’t apply to all flakes.
Related Joybuy products
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
When can flakes be labelled ‘sugar-free’?
Solid flakes labelled ‘sugar-free’ can contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. This limit for the claim is set out in European Union Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006; check the figure per 100 g in the nutritional information.
Does ‘no added sugars’ mean the same as sugar-free?
No. A product with no added sugars may still contain sugars. If sugar-free is a requirement, check that the product carries that claim and that the nutritional information lists no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g, the limit set by European Union Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
Are De Ruijter Feestvlokken suitable if I want to buy sugar-free flakes?
No, De Ruijter Feestvlokken aren’t suitable if you have a strict sugar-free requirement. According to Jumbo’s product information, sugar is listed as the first ingredient and they contain 74 g of sugars per 100 g.
What should I look for if I’m shaving chocolate for Christmas breakfast?
First, check whether the chocolate meets your sugar requirements; ‘no added sugars’ doesn’t automatically mean sugar-free. Then read the ingredients and allergens for the product you’ve chosen, and check which sweeteners are listed on the label.