For a birthday gathering where sugar-free is a strict requirement, soft sweets shaped like mice are an option for the sweets bowl: bol lists 0.1 g of sugars per 100 g for Joris Suikervrije Muisjes, below the EU limit of 0.5 g per 100 g for the ‘sugar-free’ claim, according to EUR-Lex. They’re no substitute for crunchy aniseed mice on crispbread; PLUS lists 79 g of sugars per 100 g for De Ruijter Blauwe en witte muisjes. If a lower sugar content is enough and you’re looking for sprinkles, Céréal Hagelslag Puur is a different type of product. Jumbo lists 7.7 g of sugars per 100 g; check the ingredients and allergens too.
You want mice for a sweets bowl or party treat, and are happy to choose soft sweets shaped like mice rather than traditional aniseed sprinkles. If ‘sugar-free’ is essential, check the nutritional information on the packaging.
You’re mainly looking for the crunchy aniseed flavour and the look of mice on crispbread or cakes. Traditional De Ruijter mice are suited to this way of serving, but PLUS says its blue and white variety is not sugar-free.
You want to use sprinkles but don’t need the product to be sugar-free. Dark chocolate vermicelli with less sugar could be an alternative, as long as the different flavour and ingredients suit your guests.
First, decide whether ‘sugar-free’ is a strict requirement. Then choose a product for a sweets bowl or for crispbread and cakes, and read the ingredients and warnings before serving.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar-free | Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. According to EUR-Lex, the EU ‘sugar-free’ claim can be used when a product contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. | I want to serve sweets that meet the ‘sugar-free’ limit. This is the top priority for around 46% of consumers. |
| A sprinkle alternative | Check whether the product is intended to be used as a topping and whether ‘less sugar’ is enough for you; chocolate vermicelli isn’t an aniseed mouse. | If I want to decorate crispbread or cakes, I’m looking for sprinkles and am happy with less sugar. Around 36% of consumers prioritise this combination. |
| Traditional presentation | Compare the flavour and texture, and read the ingredients list. PLUS lists wheat and cereals containing gluten for De Ruijter Blauwe en witte muisjes. | For my gathering, I mainly want the familiar aniseed flavour and crunchy mice, while keeping the ingredients in mind. Around 18% of consumers prioritise this presentation. |
According to EUR-Lex, the EU limit for the ‘sugar-free’ claim is no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. Jumbo lists 7.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Céréal Hagelslag Puur. Less sugar doesn’t make this product sugar-free.
If sugar-free is a requirement, check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g.
The Joris mice sold on bol are soft sweets shaped like mice. The De Ruijter mice on PLUS’s product page are aniseed sprinkles. This difference matters when deciding whether to serve sweets on their own or crunchy mice on crispbread.
Choose how you want to serve them first, then decide whether the product’s shape and texture are suitable.
PLUS lists wheat in De Ruijter Blauwe en witte muisjes. Jumbo says Céréal Hagelslag Puur contains soya and maltitol, may contain milk, and carries a warning about a laxative effect if consumed in excess.
Read the label on the pack you’ve chosen before serving, especially if you need to consider allergens or polyols.
The Joris Suikervrije Muisjes sold on bol are soft sweets shaped like mice, suitable for a bowl or party treat, rather than traditional aniseed sprinkles.
The mice we looked at are crunchy aniseed sprinkles for crispbread, cakes and more.
Céréal Hagelslag Puur is chocolate vermicelli for anyone looking for sprinkles with less sugar; it isn’t an aniseed mouse.
According to EUR-Lex, the EU ‘sugar-free’ claim can be used for a food if it contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g or 100 ml. So, check the ‘of which sugars’ figure on the packaging and assess it per 100 g for mice.
No. The De Ruijter Blauwe en witte muisjes for which PLUS provides nutritional information contain 79 g of sugars per 100 g. They may be suitable for a traditional crispbread presentation, but not if you have a strict sugar-free requirement.
Yes, if you deliberately want to use soft sweets as decoration. The Joris mice sold on bol are soft gummies and don’t have the same crunchy aniseed texture as traditional mice. Check in advance that their shape will work with the cake you’re planning to serve.
Compare the sugars per 100 g and read the ingredients, allergens and warnings on the packaging. Jumbo lists maltitol and soya for Céréal Hagelslag Puur, notes that it may contain milk, and warns of a laxative effect if consumed in excess.
