Who is this choice for?

If you want to choose something strictly sugar-free

You’re looking for a product with a suitable sugar-free claim. A sugar coating or a ‘less sugar’ label alone won’t meet your needs.

If you want less sugar in a quick morning routine

You’re looking for something to have with your coffee or breakfast on the go, and you’re open to a different kind of topping if aniseed sprinkles aren’t right for you.

If you mainly want traditional aniseed sprinkles

You choose them for their aniseed flavour and crunchy, sprinkle-on format, without making sugar-free a requirement.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether sugar-free is essential. Then you can compare the format, flavour and convenience for your morning routine.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Strictly sugar-free Check the sugar-free claim and the amount of sugars per 100 g on the current packaging. If I only want to choose sugar-free options for breakfast, I care more about being sure of the claim than having the familiar aniseed flavour. For around 56% of consumers, the sugar-free requirement would be the main priority.
Less sugar and convenience Compare the exact claim and nutritional information, and consider whether the product format suits your morning routine. When I’m in a rush in the morning, I want to be able to choose something with less sugar without being tied to aniseed sprinkles. For around 33% of consumers, this combination of convenience and reduced sugar would come first.
Traditional aniseed sprinkles Check the product’s stated use and storage instructions; don’t assume it’s suitable as a topping in hot coffee. I’m willing to relax a strict sugar-free requirement for the familiar aniseed flavour at breakfast. Traditional flavour would matter most to around 11% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Reading ‘less sugar’ as ‘sugar-free’

    A product with less sugar doesn’t automatically meet the requirements for a sugar-free claim. The European regulation on nutrition claims sets a limit of no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g or 100 ml.

    Check the exact claim and the product’s nutrition table before you buy.

  • Assuming traditional aniseed sprinkles are sugar-free

    PLUS describes De Ruijter Blauwe & Witte Muisjes as aniseed seeds with a crunchy sugar coating. Their familiar sprinkle-on format doesn’t mean they’re suitable if you need a strictly sugar-free option.

    If sugar-free is a requirement, check the labels of products outside the aniseed sprinkle category too.

  • Relying only on an online product description

    When choosing a product, check the ingredients, nutritional information and any allergen information on the packaging you’ll actually be using.

    Read the label before using the product, even if you’ve already looked at a variant online.

Brands and retailers to consider

De Ruijter

PLUS describes De Ruijter’s blue and white aniseed sprinkles as aniseed seeds with a crunchy sugar coating.

  • Worth considering if you’re looking for traditional aniseed sprinkles.
  • The sugar coating described isn’t suitable if you’re looking for strictly sugar-free aniseed sprinkles.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists De Ruijter variants in its aniseed sprinkle category, as well as products marketed as having less sugar in other spread categories.

  • You can assess aniseed sprinkles and other types of spread separately.
  • A label such as ‘less sugar’ doesn’t automatically make another spread sugar-free or turn it into aniseed sprinkles.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists several De Ruijter aniseed sprinkle variants in its online category.

  • You can distinguish between blue and white, pink and white, celebration and crushed aniseed sprinkles, among other varieties.
  • The storage instructions for the blue and white variety don’t say whether it’s suitable as a topping in hot coffee.

PLUS

PLUS describes De Ruijter’s blue and white and crushed aniseed sprinkles separately.

  • The description of the blue and white variety mentions aniseed seeds and a crunchy sugar coating.
  • The variety described isn’t suitable if you’re looking for a strictly sugar-free option.

Joybuy products related to this topic

Related products will appear here soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are De Ruijter Blauwe & Witte Muisjes sugar-free?

Don’t choose this variety if you’re looking for a strictly sugar-free option: PLUS describes De Ruijter Blauwe & Witte Muisjes as having a crunchy sugar coating. Always check the claim and the amount of sugars on the current packaging when choosing a sugar-free product.

Does ‘less sugar’ mean the same as ‘sugar-free’?

No, ‘less sugar’ doesn’t mean the same as ‘sugar-free’. Under the European regulation on nutrition claims, ‘sugar-free’ can only be used for products containing no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g or 100 ml. So check the claim on the specific product.

How should you store De Ruijter Blauwe & Witte Muisjes?

Jumbo says De Ruijter Blauwe & Witte Muisjes should be stored in a dry place. Check the storage instructions on your own packaging too.