Sugar-Free Sprinkles as an Afternoon Snack: What to Check

Who is this choice relevant to?

If you’re looking for strictly sugar-free sprinkles

You only want to consider sprinkles that meet the limit the Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets for ‘sugar-free’. A label such as ‘less sugar’ or ‘no added sugars’ isn’t a substitute for you.

If you’re considering sprinkles as an afternoon snack

You want to look beyond sugars and consider the portion and nutritional value of your whole snack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre suggests considering sugars, fats, fibre and protein when choosing snacks.

If you need to check for allergens

Check the ingredients and allergen information for each variety to see whether they suit your diet. This matters even when products have similar names: Albert Heijn lists milk, lactose and soya for De Ruijter Witte vlokken, and soya and possible traces of milk for De Ruijter Puur.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, check your non-negotiable requirements for sugars and allergens. Then compare the nutritional information and portion size for the afternoon snack you actually plan to eat.

What to consider	What to check before buying	Who it matters most to
Strictly sugar-free	Check the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g. For solid foods, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets a limit of no more than 0.5 g per 100 g for a ‘sugar-free’ claim.	If I only want to buy strictly sugar-free sprinkles, the sugar value for the exact variety must meet that limit. This is the top priority for around 50% of consumers.
The whole afternoon snack	Check sugars, saturated fats, fibre and protein, and distinguish between values per 100 g and the portion you’ll eat.	When choosing a sweet snack, I also want to consider how the portion fits into my diet. This broader assessment takes priority for around 30% of consumers.
Allergens	Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the variety you’ve chosen.	If you need to avoid milk or soya, you’ll want to know first whether the variety is suitable. For around 20% of consumers, checking allergens comes first.

Common mistakes

Reading ‘no added sugars’ as ‘sugar-free’

These are different nutrition claims. For solid foods, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets a limit of no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g for ‘sugar-free’. A different label doesn’t prove that the sprinkles meet this limit.

Check both the claim and the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g on the packaging.
Choosing based on taste or brand name alone

A label such as ‘dark’ doesn’t mean sprinkles are sugar-free. According to Albert Heijn, De Ruijter Chocoladevlokken Puur contains 63 g and De Ruijter Witte vlokken contains 77 g of sugars per 100 g.

Compare the nutritional information per 100 g for the exact variety you want to buy.
Only looking at the front of the packaging

The front label won’t tell you at a glance which ingredients and allergens are listed, or how much you’ll have in a portion.

Before buying, read the nutritional information, ingredients and allergen details on the current packaging.

Sprinkle brands to help you compare

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists 300 g of AH Pure chocoladevlokken in its product information.

The product information includes ingredients, allergens, serving size and nutritional values.
According to Albert Heijn, AH Pure chocoladevlokken contains 65 g of sugars per 100 g, so it doesn’t meet the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s limit for ‘sugar-free’.

De Ruijter

Albert Heijn’s product information includes De Ruijter dark chocolate sprinkles and white sprinkles.

The product information gives nutritional values and allergen details for both varieties.
According to Albert Heijn, Puur and Witte vlokken contain 63 g and 77 g of sugars per 100 g respectively. Neither meets the stated limit for ‘sugar-free’.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists Chocolade Vlokken Puur, Melk and Duo Vlokken Mix in its sprinkles range.

The range makes it easier to tell the varieties apart by name.
Only consider a Jumbo variety strictly sugar-free after checking the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g on the product packaging.

Choca

Choca Vlokken and Choca Vlokmix appear in Albert Heijn and Jumbo’s sprinkles ranges.

The product names make it clear that these are different varieties.
Check the nutritional information for your chosen variety individually. The brand name or its inclusion in a product range says nothing about whether it’s a suitable strictly sugar-free option.

Venz

Venz Tijgervlokken and Krokovlokken are listed in the Albert Heijn and Jumbo sprinkles ranges.

The individual names help you check the right packaging.
Check the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g for each variety before considering it sugar-free.

Related products

Frequently asked questions

What does ‘sugar-free’ mean for sprinkles?

For solid foods, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre defines a ‘sugar-free’ claim as no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. ‘Low sugar’ and ‘no added sugars’ are different claims, so check the nutritional information for the sprinkles you’re considering.

Are AH Pure and the De Ruijter sprinkles mentioned strictly sugar-free?

No. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, AH Pure chocoladevlokken contains 65 g, De Ruijter Chocoladevlokken Puur 63 g and De Ruijter Witte vlokken 77 g of sugars per 100 g. All three are above the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s limit of 0.5 g per 100 g for ‘sugar-free’.

Should I check the packaging as well as an online retailer’s product information?

Yes. Before buying or using a product, check the current packaging for the exact variety. Pay particular attention to sugars per 100 g, ingredients, allergens and the portion you plan to have.

Is a sugar-free claim enough to choose sprinkles as an afternoon snack?

No. The claim refers to the sugar content and doesn’t describe the full nutritional value of your snack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also suggests considering fats, fibre and protein when choosing snacks. Compare the whole snack and portion size, or consider alternatives such as fruit, nuts, snack veg or bread.