If your rusk with aniseed sprinkles must have sugar-free flakes, choose a pack that carries the ‘sugar-free’ claim and contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. If your aim is simply to reduce your sugar intake, you could compare a different topping instead. But ‘less sugar’ and ‘no added sugars’ do not mean the same thing as sugar-free.
For you, ‘less sugar’ is no substitute for ‘sugar-free’. Check the claim on the exact pack and the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the ‘sugar-free’ claim may only be used for solid foods containing no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g.
You want to serve rusk with aniseed sprinkles and are open to a different chocolate topping, such as chocolate sprinkles with less sugar. Compare the nutritional information for the product you are considering with that of your usual flakes. A lower sugar content does not automatically make a product sugar-free.
The shape of the topping on your rusk matters more to you than an alternative in the form of chocolate sprinkles. Albert Heijn and Jumbo list regular flakes in their product ranges. If you want to keep an eye on sugar, compare the labels of the individual varieties.
First decide whether ‘sugar-free’ is a strict requirement. If it isn’t, you can weigh up the amount of sugar and the shape of the topping separately.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Truly sugar-free | Look for the ‘sugar-free’ claim and check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, solid foods carrying this claim may contain no more than 0.5 g per 100 g. | If I only want sugar-free flakes, ‘less sugar’ isn’t enough for me. For around 46% of consumers, the sugar-free claim would be the main priority. |
| Less sugar | Compare sugars per 100 g with your usual flakes; also check the energy and saturated fat content. If you’re considering a different topping, read the product name and ingredients list. | If I want to choose less sugar and am happy to change the topping, I could also consider chocolate sprinkles. For around 36% of consumers, less sugar would be the main priority. |
| The flakes shape | Check that the exact product is flakes and read the label for that variety, not just the brand name. | For presentation, I want to keep flakes on my rusk and don’t see chocolate sprinkles as an equivalent option. The flakes shape would matter most to around 18% of consumers. |
‘Sugar-conscious’ and ‘no added sugars’ are not substitutes for the ‘sugar-free’ claim either. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that a product with no added sugars can still contain sugars that occur naturally.
If sugar-free is a requirement, check the exact claim and the sugars per 100 g on the same pack.
A stated portion is not always the same size. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that nutritional values per 100 g provide a common basis for comparing labels.
Compare the sugars, energy and saturated fat values per 100 g before looking at any portion information.
Chocolate sprinkles have a different shape from flakes. And a ‘less sugar’ label on chocolate sprinkles doesn’t mean they’re sugar-free.
Decide what matters most for your rusk: the flakes shape, a lower sugar content or a strict sugar-free claim.
The sugar claim doesn’t tell you what other ingredients are in that particular variety. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that sweeteners are listed on the label. If more than 10% of the product consists of added polyols, the label must also warn that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Read the ingredients list, allergen information and any usage warnings on the pack you plan to buy.
A brand with regular chocolate flakes listed in the flakes ranges at Albert Heijn and Jumbo.
A brand with Rimboe flakes in Jumbo’s flakes range.
A brand with regular flakes and a flakes mix in Jumbo’s range.
A supermarket with its own-brand flakes alongside other brands in its flakes category.
A supermarket with a flakes range and a separate selection of sugar-conscious products.
Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the ‘sugar-free’ nutrition claim may only be used for solid foods containing no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. Check both the claim and the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutritional information on the exact pack.
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that ‘no added sugars’ means no sugars or products used for their sweetening properties have been added; the product may still contain naturally occurring sugars. If you want a strictly sugar-free option, also check for the sugar-free claim and the value per 100 g.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and bear in mind the difference in shape. Check the sugars, energy and saturated fat in the exact products. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that comparing products per 100 g is clearer than relying only on portions, which can vary from pack to pack.
Yes, if the ingredients matter to your choice. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that any sweeteners used are listed on the label. Check for usage warnings too: if more than 10% of the product consists of added polyols, the label will say that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
