People with a strict sugar-free requirement
You’re looking for a snack or topping for film night that can genuinely be described as sugar-free. According to the Voedingscentrum, that means no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g or 100 ml.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Fans of classic Muisjes
You’re mainly after the aniseed flavour, crunch and colour of traditional Muisjes as a topping for something like a dessert. You’re happy to accept that the De Ruijter varieties covered here contain sugar.
People comparing ingredients
As well as the sugar content, you want to check the ingredients, allergens and any warnings on the label. A claim such as ‘less sugar’ doesn’t give you the same information as ‘sugar-free’.
What should you check when choosing?
First decide whether sugar-free is a strict requirement. Then consider whether you want a topping with the familiar Muisjes flavour, or whether you’d also consider a different type of snack for film night.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Strictly sugar-free | Look for the ‘sugar-free’ claim and check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g or 100 ml. The Voedingscentrum sets the limit at no more than 0.5 g. | If sugar-free is the deciding factor for me, I don’t want to rely on ‘less sugar’. Around 50% of consumers make this their top priority. |
| Muisjes flavour and use as a topping | Weigh up the aniseed flavour, crunch and suitability as a topping against the sugar-free requirement. According to PLUS, the De Ruijter varieties covered here contain 79 g of sugars per 100 g. | For my film-night dessert, I specifically want the flavour and look of classic Muisjes; around 25% of consumers prioritise that experience. |
| Ingredients and warnings | Read the ingredients and allergen information for the variety you choose, and look out for any warnings about use. | I want to know what ingredients are in my snack and what warnings come with it. This is the most important consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Taking ‘less sugar’ to mean ‘sugar-free’
These claims don’t mean the same thing. The Voedingscentrum sets a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g or 100 ml for a product to claim that it is ‘sugar-free’.
If you have a strict requirement, check both the claim used and the sugar content in the nutritional information.
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Choosing traditional Muisjes without checking the sugar content
According to PLUS, the pink-and-white and blue-and-white De Ruijter Muisjes covered here contain 79 g of sugars per 100 g, so they’re not suitable if you need a strictly sugar-free option.
Check the label of any other variety in its own right; don’t rely on the product name or packaging alone.
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Looking only at the sugar content of an alternative
Ingredients and warnings can also affect your choice. For example, the sugar-free Mentos chewing gum on Jumbo’s product page warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect; this doesn’t apply to other products.
Read the warnings on the packaging of any alternative you’re considering.
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Overlooking allergens in Muisjes
PLUS lists wheat in the ingredients information for the pink-and-white De Ruijter Muisjes covered here.
If wheat or gluten matters to you, check the allergen information for the specific variety.
Brands and shops to consider
De Ruijter
De Ruijter makes several traditional varieties of Muisjes, including pink-and-white, blue-and-white and crushed Muisjes.
- A good option if you’re looking for a classic aniseed topping.
- According to PLUS, the pink-and-white and blue-and-white varieties covered here contain 79 g of sugars per 100 g, so they’re not sugar-free.
Albert Heijn
The online Muisjes category features De Ruijter varieties. Products aimed at people watching their sugar intake are listed in a separate range.
- You can check the labels of Muisjes and products with other claims separately.
- ‘Sugar-conscious’ doesn’t automatically mean ‘sugar-free’.
Jumbo
The online Muisjes category features De Ruijter products, while sugar-free products are also available in other categories.
- Product pages can help you compare ingredients and nutritional information for each product.
- A sugar-free product from another category won’t necessarily taste like Muisjes or work as a topping.
PLUS
PLUS product pages provide information about the ingredients and nutritional values of the De Ruijter Muisjes covered here.
- Useful for checking the ingredients of a specific traditional variety.
- According to PLUS, the pink-and-white and blue-and-white varieties covered here contain 79 g of sugars per 100 g.
Film-night snacks on Joybuy
These liquorice and mango jelly products are for anyone who wants to look beyond the Muisjes category for a film-night snack. They’re not a replacement for the aniseed flavour or the use of Muisjes as a topping. If sugar-free is a strict requirement, always check the nutritional information on the current packaging.
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Klene Sugarfree Liquorice Hearts 110 g
A liquorice option if you’re after sweets for film night rather than a Muisjes topping.
The product information lists maltitol syrup and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. It also includes a warning for people with high blood pressure. Check the current packaging before you choose.
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Oldtimers Sugar-Free Liquorice Rocks 100 g
Another liquorice option for film night, but not for use as a traditional aniseed topping.
The available product information lists sugar among the ingredients, while the nutritional information states 0 g of sugars per 100 g. Check the current packaging before choosing this product as a sugar-free option.
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Jelly B Konjac Jelly Mango 150 ml
A mango-flavoured jelly if you’d prefer a different kind of snack to Muisjes.
The product information lists sweeteners, including sucralose, acesulfame K and erythritol. Check the current packaging for ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.
Frequently asked questions
Are regular De Ruijter Muisjes sugar-free?
Not the pink-and-white and blue-and-white varieties covered here. PLUS states that these varieties contain 79 g of sugars per 100 g; according to the Voedingscentrum, the limit for a ‘sugar-free’ claim is no more than 0.5 g per 100 g or 100 ml.
What does ‘sugar-free’ mean on a Dutch label?
According to the Voedingscentrum, a product with this claim can contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g or 100 ml. ‘Low sugar’ and ‘no added sugars’ are different claims, so check the exact wording and nutritional information.
Is chocolate sprinkles labelled ‘less sugar’ a sugar-free replacement for Muisjes?
Not based on that claim alone. If you’re considering chocolate sprinkles as a topping, check whether the specific product is labelled sugar-free and what the nutritional information says per 100 g.
What should I look for in a different film-night snack?
If you need a sugar-free option, check the claim and sugar content, as well as the ingredients, allergens and any warnings for the product you choose. Don’t assume that a different snack will also work as a Muisjes topping.
Should I check for allergens in traditional Muisjes?
Yes, if wheat or gluten matters to you. PLUS lists wheat in the De Ruijter Muisjes covered here; for any other variety, check the allergen information on its own packaging.