Who is this choice relevant for?

Parents looking to limit the sugars in a chocolate biscuit

You want to include chocolate as part of an after-school snack, but you also compare sugars, polyols and nutritional values per 100 g and per biscuit.

Parents who need to consider allergens at school

You only pack a biscuit if the current label is suitable for your child’s allergy and complies with the school’s policy. Any warnings about possible allergens are important too.

Parents choosing a snack for a regular routine

You want to decide when a biscuit is suitable and when you’d rather pack fruit, vegetables, wholemeal bread or, if appropriate for your child and the school, unsalted nuts.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, check whether the biscuit is allowed at school and is suitable for your child. Then compare the nutritional information for similar biscuits per 100 g and decide what portion you want to give them.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters most to
Sugars and sweeteners Compare similar biscuits per 100 g for sugars and polyols, then check the amount per biscuit. If I choose a chocolate biscuit, I want to limit the declared sugars without overlooking the sweeteners. For around 42% of consumers, limiting sugar is the top priority.
Allergens and school policies Read the current label for allergens that are present or may be present, and check it against the school’s policy. If a biscuit is going to school, I first want to know whether it is suitable for my child’s allergy and whether the school allows it. This suitability is the most important factor for around 33% of consumers.
Where the biscuit fits into your routine Check the nutritional value and planned portion, and consider other snack options too. For a regular after-school snack, I want to be able to alternate with other options. For around 25% of consumers, this everyday choice is their main concern.

Common mistakes

  • Looking only for ‘sugar-free’

    A low sugar value doesn’t mean a biscuit is free from sweeteners. For Céréal Sugar-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies, Albert Heijn lists 26 g polyols per 100 g as well as 0 g sugars, and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

    Read the ingredients list, nutritional information and warnings together before choosing a portion.

  • Comparing biscuits by portion size alone

    Portion sizes can vary between packs. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing nutritional values per 100 g.

    First compare similar biscuits per 100 g for sugars, fibre, saturated fat and salt, among other things. Then work out the values for the number of biscuits you want to give your child.

  • Assuming a low sugar value means a biscuit is suitable for school

    According to Albert Heijn, Céréal Sugar-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies contain wheat, oats and gluten-containing cereals, and may also contain other allergens. The sugar value says nothing about whether the biscuit is suitable for someone with an allergy or complies with the school’s policy.

    Check the current pack and the policies that apply to your child and their school. Don’t pack the biscuit if they don’t align.

  • Assuming a biscuit is an obvious everyday snack

    For children aged 4 to 12, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre suggests fruit and vegetables as snack options, as well as wholemeal bread and unsalted nuts, among other things.

    Decide when you want to give your child a biscuit and which other snacks are suitable for them and their school.

Brands to compare

Céréal

Sugar-free Chocolate Chip Cookies are a chocolate biscuit to compare when the declared sugar value is your main priority.

  • Albert Heijn lists 0 g sugars and 8.9 g fibre per 100 g for this product.
  • The same product information lists 26 g polyols per 100 g, a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect, gluten-containing cereals and other possible allergens.

Verkade

San Francisco Zero offers a point of comparison if chocolate isn’t essential: this product isn’t a chocolate biscuit.

  • According to Verkade and Albert Heijn, San Francisco Zero contains 1.7 g sugars per 100 g.
  • The product contains maltitols, wheat, milk and soya, and carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus Biscoff with chocolate is a chocolate speculoos biscuit that can serve as a reference when comparing labels.

  • Lotus Bakeries Nederland lists 39.6 g sugars per 100 g for this variety.
  • The ingredients information lists sugar, chocolate, wheat, milk and soya, among other things. Check whether this recipe matches your criteria.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can a ‘sugar-free’ chocolate biscuit still contain sweeteners?

Yes, it can. According to Albert Heijn, Céréal Sugar-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies contain sweeteners and list 26 g polyols per 100 g. As well as the sugar value, read the ingredients list and warning on the current pack.

How do I compare two chocolate biscuits with different portion sizes?

First compare the nutritional information per 100 g for similar biscuits. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends this basis for comparison. Then consider what the values mean for the portion you want to give your child.

Is a chocolate biscuit an obvious regular after-school snack?

A lower sugar value alone doesn’t make a biscuit the obvious choice for every after-school snack. For children aged 4 to 12, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre suggests fruit and vegetables as snack options, as well as wholemeal bread and unsalted nuts, among other things.

What should I check before my child takes a chocolate biscuit to school?

Check the current allergen label and the policies that apply to your child and their school. According to Albert Heijn, Céréal Sugar-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies contain wheat, oats and gluten-containing cereals, and may also contain milk, egg, nuts, soya and sesame. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority points out that allergens must be listed on the labels of prepacked foods.