Buyer with a strict sugar-free requirement
Looking for something to share with colleagues without relying on the product name alone. Checks the ingredients and compares the nutritional information per 100 g, as advised by the Voedingscentrum.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Organiser of a special office occasion
Wants to use the familiar aniseed flavour and decorative look of Muisjes, for example at a birth celebration. Regular Muisjes are only an option if sugar isn’t a deal-breaker for the occasion.
Manager of a shared treat tin
Wants colleagues to be able to check the ingredients and allergens before taking anything. This matters with the Muisjes products reviewed, as wheat is listed in the ingredients.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether sugar-free is an absolute requirement. If it is, the traditional Muisjes products reviewed aren’t suitable. Then consider whether an alternative works as an individual treat and whether its product information will remain available when it’s shared.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Especially relevant for |
|---|---|---|
| Strict sugar-free requirement | Read the ingredients list and, for similar products, compare the ‘of which sugars’ figures per 100 g. | I want to put out something that meets our sugar-free requirement, even if it isn’t Muisjes. For around 46% of consumers, this requirement comes first. |
| Sharing at work | Check whether the product is intended to be served individually, as well as the net contents and storage instructions. | If several colleagues are taking something from the same tin, I want a practical option to offer. Around 36% of consumers prioritise this kind of shared use. |
| Tradition and ingredients | Before sharing Muisjes, check the current ingredients and allergen information. | For a special occasion, I want to use the familiar aniseed decoration, provided the ingredients suit the group. This tradition matters most to around 18% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a festive look means sugar-free
The ingredients lists for the Gestampte Muisjes and Feestmuisjes products reviewed include sugar and glucose syrup. Their appearance doesn’t change what’s in them.
If sugar-free is a strict requirement, use it as a selection criterion and check both the ingredients and nutritional information before buying.
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Comparing sugar figures per serving only
Serving sizes can vary, making it harder to compare figures across two products. The Voedingscentrum recommends comparing products per 100 g.
First compare similar products per 100 g, then consider how much you actually want to offer.
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Removing the packaging from a shared treat tin
De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes list wheat starch in the ingredients. Without the packaging, colleagues can’t easily check this information.
Keep the original packaging by the tin or make sure the ingredients and allergens are clearly available.
Brands and retailers to consider
De Ruijter
The brand behind the Gestampte Muisjes, Feestmuisjes and coloured Muisjes varieties discussed here.
- The products reviewed offer a traditional presentation with aniseed.
- The ingredients lists for Gestampte Muisjes and Feestmuisjes include sugar and glucose syrup.
Albert Heijn
A retailer where you can compare different De Ruijter Muisjes varieties.
- The product information for Feestmuisjes lists the ingredients.
- These Feestmuisjes contain sugar and glucose syrup; check the label of each other variety separately.
Jumbo
A retailer with product information for De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes.
- The ingredients list includes aniseed and wheat starch, among other things.
- These Gestampte Muisjes also contain sugar and glucose syrup, so they don’t meet a strict sugar-free requirement.
PLUS
A retailer with product information for De Ruijter Blue and White Muisjes and Gestampte Muisjes.
- The information for Blue and White Muisjes describes aniseed with a sugar coating.
- The sugar coating makes this variety unsuitable if sugar-free is an absolute requirement.
An alternative on Joybuy
This product isn’t a type of Muisjes. If you’re considering it for an office treat tin, don’t rely on the sugar-free claim alone: check the product format on the packaging too.
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Klene Lavender, 110 g
If you’re looking for an office treat outside the Muisjes category, the key question is whether it’s suitable for the treat tin.
The product title mentions sugar-free biscuits, while the description also refers to liquorice. Check the packaging to confirm what the product is, and read the current ingredients and nutritional information before choosing it.
Frequently asked questions
Are De Ruijter Muisjes sugar-free?
The Gestampte Muisjes and Feestmuisjes products reviewed aren’t: their ingredients lists include sugar and glucose syrup. For any other variety, always check its own packaging rather than assuming what it contains based on the brand name.
How do I compare an alternative labelled sugar-free?
Read the ingredients and nutritional information on the packaging, and compare similar products per 100 g. The Voedingscentrum recommends this basis for comparison. Also check whether the product format is suitable for offering individually from a treat tin.
Can I offer Muisjes to colleagues who avoid wheat?
Don’t assume the varieties reviewed are suitable: Gestampte Muisjes list wheat starch. Check the current allergen information for every product and keep it available when sharing from a treat tin.
What product information should I keep by the office treat tin?
Make sure the ingredients and allergen information are accessible, for example by keeping the original packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority points out that allergens must be listed on the label.
How should I store Gestampte Muisjes at work?
Store them in a dry place and follow the use-by or best-before information on the packaging, as PLUS advises for De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes. Keep the packaging too if you transfer the contents to another tin.