Who is this choice relevant to?

People with a strict sugar-free requirement

You’re looking for flakes with a sugar content that meets the ‘sugar-free’ threshold. A product described only as ‘reduced sugar’ or ‘sugar-conscious’ won’t necessarily meet that requirement.

People considering traditional chocolate flakes

You want to use flakes as a sweet spread or topping and are weighing up the type of chocolate, ingredients and allergens. If sugar-free is essential, check the sugar content of these products first too.

What should you look for when choosing?

For breakfast or dessert alongside an Indonesian rijsttafel, sugar content comes first if sugar-free is non-negotiable. The annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 sets a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g for the ‘sugar-free’ claim. Flavour, intended use and packaging don’t change the value for a specific product.

What to consider What to check Who is this important to?
Sugar-free requirement Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g on the packaging of the exact product; if you have a strict requirement, look for no more than 0.5 g. I want to be sure my flakes meet my sugar-free requirement, even if the name suggests otherwise. Around 50% of consumers put this first.
Allergens and type of chocolate Read the ingredients and allergen statement for the product you’ve chosen; don’t rely on the words ‘pure’ or ‘milk’ alone. If I need to watch out for milk, lactose or soya, the ingredients may determine my choice, regardless of the sugar content. This matters most to around 20% of consumers.
Where it fits in the meal Decide whether you want to use the flakes as a sweet spread or as a topping for breakfast or dessert. For an Indonesian rijsttafel, I consider whether I want flakes for breakfast afterwards or as a dessert topping, rather than for a savoury dish. This is the main consideration for around 10% of consumers.
Product and packaging Once you’ve checked that it meets any sugar-free requirement, confirm the exact product and pack size. If several products meet my requirements, I want to choose a pack that suits how I’ll use it. Around 20% of consumers give this the highest priority.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘pure’ or ‘reduced sugar’ means ‘sugar-free’

    Those words don’t tell you the sugar content of the flakes you’ve chosen. For example, Albert Heijn lists 63 g of sugars per 100 g for De Ruijter Chocolade vlokken puur.

    If you have a strict sugar-free requirement, always check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g on the exact product packaging.

  • Choosing a brand without checking the product

    Products from the same brand can have different nutritional values: Albert Heijn lists 63 g of sugars per 100 g for De Ruijter puur, while Jumbo lists 56 g per 100 g for De Ruijter Royaal. Neither value meets the ‘sugar-free’ threshold.

    Compare the product name with the nutritional information for the one you’re actually buying.

  • Assuming the allergens from the type of chocolate

    A label such as ‘milk’ or ‘pure’ isn’t a substitute for the allergen statement. Albert Heijn lists milk, soya and lactose for the De Ruijter milk flakes reviewed.

    Read the ingredients and allergen information for each individual product before buying or serving it.

Brands to consider

De Ruijter

Chocolate flakes in a range of varieties, including dark, milk and Royaal. Nutritional information varies by product.

  • Albert Heijn lists 63 g of sugars per 100 g for Chocolade vlokken puur; Jumbo lists 56 g per 100 g for Vlokken Royaal.
  • Based on these values, neither product meets the threshold for the ‘sugar-free’ claim.

Venz

Albert Heijn and Jumbo include Venz products in their range of flakes, including varieties with vanilla.

  • The combination of chocolate types and vanilla makes it easy to tell the different products apart.
  • If you’re looking for a sugar-free option, check the nutritional information on the individual pack.

Choca

Choca flakes and mixed flakes are available from Albert Heijn and Jumbo.

  • The distinction between flakes and a mixed-flake product helps you identify which type you’re looking at.
  • Only consider a specific product sugar-free once you’ve checked its sugar content per 100 g.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

What sugar content should I look for in sugar-free flakes?

Look for no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g; this is the value given for the ‘sugar-free’ claim in the annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g on the exact packaging or in the nutritional information for that product.

Are dark chocolate flakes automatically sugar-free?

No. The word ‘pure’ doesn’t mean that flakes are sugar-free. Albert Heijn lists 63 g of sugars per 100 g for De Ruijter Chocolade vlokken puur; always check the nutritional information for other dark varieties too.

What should I check in flakes if I need to avoid milk, lactose or soya?

Read the ingredients and allergen statement for the exact product, whatever the type of chocolate. Albert Heijn lists milk, soya and lactose for the De Ruijter milk flakes reviewed; don’t assume this applies to other products.