Someone buying for a shared supply
You’re looking for a pack that several colleagues can help themselves to with tea or coffee, and that’s suitable for regular restocking. Compare the pack weight and, if stated, the number of servings.
Who are you choosing office digestives for?
Colleagues with specific dietary preferences
They might be looking for a lower-sugar option or a gluten-free choice, for example. The right biscuit depends on the precise ingredients, allergens and claims on the packaging.
Buyers comparing nutritional information
You want to look beyond the claims on the front of the pack. Nutritional information per 100 g lets you compare sugars, fibre, saturated fat and salt across different options.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether the digestives are for a shared supply or to meet a particular colleague’s needs. Then compare the exact pack and its nutritional information: a classic biscuit, a lower-sugar option and a gluten-free chocolate variety don’t meet the same needs.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Shared supply | Check the pack weight and the number of biscuits or servings, if stated. A smaller pack may need topping up more often when it’s shared. | When I’m buying for several colleagues, I want a pack that’s easy to share and won’t run out too quickly; around 36% of consumers prioritise the size of the supply. |
| Nutritional information | Compare sugars, fibre, saturated fat and salt on the same basis, such as per 100 g. If you’re considering a lower-sugar option, check the ingredients list too. | If you want to compare different biscuits, the full nutritional information is more useful than a single claim on the front of the pack; nutritional information matters most to around 29% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Check the label on the exact pack for ingredients, allergens and any warnings. Even with a product specifically labelled gluten-free, check what other ingredients it contains. | If a colleague has a specific dietary restriction, I don’t want to rely on the product name alone. Allergens are the main concern for around 14% of consumers. |
| Taste and occasion | Choose between classic digestives and a chocolate variety, and compare the ingredients and nutritional information for each. | With tea or coffee, I sometimes want a classic biscuit and sometimes something chocolatey for a treat; around 21% of consumers say taste and the occasion come first. |
Common mistakes when buying digestives
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Assuming ‘wholegrain’ tells you everything about the biscuit
A wholegrain digestive can still contain sugars, saturated fat and salt, as well as fibre. The Voedingscentrum recommends checking the ingredients and nutritional information on snacks rather than relying on the claims on the front of the pack.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g, then consider how many biscuits you want to offer at a time.
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Not checking other allergens when a product is labelled ‘gluten-free’
Jumbo’s gluten-free digestive with milk chocolate also contains milk, oats and soya, and carries a warning about the possible presence of nuts. So, the gluten-free label says nothing about these other ingredients.
Read the label on the exact pack, and keep a clearly labelled separate option apart if a colleague needs it.
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Offering a lower-sugar option without limits
Albert Heijn states that AH Digestive 0% suiker contains polyols and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Make the packaging and its warning available to colleagues who choose this option, rather than putting the pack on a shared plate without any context.
Brands to consider
These brands offer different types of digestives, from classic biscuits for a shared supply to options for specific preferences. Always check the information for the product you’re actually buying; the brand name alone doesn’t determine what it contains.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists a 400 g Digestive Volkoren and a separate 165 g gluten-free digestive with milk chocolate.
- The wholegrain option comes in a larger pack for a shared supply.
- According to Jumbo, the gluten-free chocolate variety contains milk, oats and soya; check the warnings on the packaging too.
McVitie's
McVitie's Digestives Original is a classic branded digestive in a 400 g pack, for anyone who wants to offer a traditional option with tea or coffee.
- A classic digestive without a chocolate coating is a good fit for a shared supply of biscuits.
- The Original described by Jumbo contains wheat and may contain milk.
Albert Heijn
AH Digestive 0% suiker is a specific option for anyone who wants to compare its sugar content with that of other digestives.
- Albert Heijn states that this variety contains 0.3 g of sugars per 100 g.
- This variety contains wheat and polyols; Albert Heijn warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Verkade
Verkade Verk Digestive Puur is a chocolate variety to consider if you’re looking for something different from classic biscuits for a treat.
- According to Albert Heijn’s product information, this variety contains 30% dark chocolate.
- The same product information lists wheat, milk and soya. Check the current packaging and availability before buying.
Digestives for the office at Joybuy
These Joybuy products include classic McVitie's Original digestives for a shared supply, plus two chocolate varieties for a treat. If you need a lower-sugar option or gluten-free digestives, you’ll need to choose one separately; the chocolate varieties aren’t suitable based on their names alone.
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McVitie's Digestive Original 400 g
A classic digestive to share with colleagues over tea or coffee at the office.
400 g pack. Contains wheat and gluten and may contain milk; check the allergen information on the pack.
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McVitie's Digestives Milk Chocolate 266 g
A chocolate variety for a treat, rather than a like-for-like alternative to a supply of classic digestives.
266 g pack. Contains wheat, gluten, milk and soya; check the allergen information on the pack.
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McVitie's Digestives with Dark Chocolate 266 g
A chocolate variety to serve with tea or coffee when you’re looking for something different from a classic digestive.
266 g pack. Contains wheat, gluten, milk and soya; check the exact variety and allergen information on the packaging before buying.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘wholegrain’ automatically make a digestive suitable as an everyday office snack?
No. A wholegrain digestive is still a biscuit, so it’s worth checking its sugars, saturated fat and salt too. The Voedingscentrum recommends taking the ingredients and nutritional information on the pack into account when choosing snacks.
Can a classic digestive be a gluten-free option for colleagues?
No, the classic digestives described here contain wheat. For a gluten-free option, look for a product specifically labelled gluten-free and check the other allergen information too: for example, Jumbo’s gluten-free chocolate variety described here contains milk, oats and soya.
Is a 0% sugar digestive automatically the right choice for the whole office supply?
No. AH Digestive 0% suiker may be worth considering if lower sugars are a specific preference, but Albert Heijn also states that it contains polyols and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Encourage colleagues to read the packaging, and don’t judge this option by its name alone.
What should you check on the pack before sharing digestives?
Check the ingredients, allergens, nutritional information and storage instructions on the exact pack. This is especially important if colleagues have specific dietary restrictions; the Nederlandse Voedsel- en Warenautoriteit points out that allergens must be clearly listed on the label.
How can you keep an opened pack of digestives fresh for a shared supply?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and seal an opened pack properly. Jumbo recommends sealing its Digestive Volkoren pack well after opening and storing it in a dark place; keep a separate option for colleagues with specific needs clearly labelled and apart from the rest.