Who is this choice relevant to?

Consumers with a strict fat limit

You should only choose a biscuit multipack as low fat if the label states no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g. According to the European Commission, this is the limit for the ‘low fat’ nutrition claim on solid foods.

Consumers who take biscuits with them or share them

You’re looking for individual packs or small portions for a lunchbox or to hand out. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises comparing products per 100 g; then check how much is in each pack.

Consumers who want to weigh up the whole label

As well as total fat, you check saturated fat, sugars, fibre, ingredients and allergen information. This helps you assess not just the fat claim, but also the details that matter to your choice.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by comparing biscuits for total fat per 100 g. Then decide whether the pack sizes and other nutritional information suit the occasion you have in mind.

What to check What to check when buying Who it matters to
Total fat Read the total fat per 100 g on the current label. According to the European Commission, solid foods can contain no more than 3 g per 100 g to carry the ‘low fat’ claim. If I want to choose a multipack as low fat, the fat value on the label must meet that limit. This is the top priority for around 46% of consumers.
Packs and portions Count the packs and check how many biscuits each one contains. Use the per-100-g value to compare products, and the portion information to plan what to take with you or share. For school, work or sharing, I want to know what’s in one pack without mistaking a small portion for a low-fat option. This convenience is the main consideration for around 27% of consumers.
Other label information Compare sugars, saturated fat and fibre; also read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variant. If I’m considering biscuits more often as a snack, I want to weigh up more than just the total fat. These additional details matter most to around 27% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a large value pack is a low-fat choice

    Pack size tells you nothing about fat content. According to Albert Heijn, the McVitie's Digestives Original value pack of 2 × 400 g contains 21 g of fat per 100 g. That’s above the European Commission’s limit for the ‘low fat’ claim on solid foods.

    Check total fat per 100 g before letting pack size influence your choice.

  • Comparing portions only

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, manufacturers set their own portion sizes. This means the value per pack doesn’t give you a like-for-like basis for comparing two different biscuits.

    Compare products per 100 g first, then use the portion information to work out how much to take with you or share.

  • Taking another nutrition claim as proof of low fat

    A claim about fibre, for example, says nothing on its own about the total fat content. That’s why the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises looking beyond the front of the pack.

    For a low-fat choice, check the fat per 100 g and the other nutritional values that matter to you.

  • Relying on a range listing for complete nutritional information

    A product name or image doesn’t show how much fat the exact variant contains. Lidl says it doesn’t provide an online list of ingredients, allergens and nutritional values for food products.

    For a product like this, read the pack in store or ask for information using the exact variant and barcode.

Brands and retailers compared

Use a brand or retailer as a starting point for exploring the range, not as an indication that a particular biscuit multipack is low fat. The information on the exact pack is what counts.

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus Bakeries describes Biscoff as a crunchy, caramelised biscuit to enjoy with coffee, among other occasions.

  • A recognisable type of biscuit if you’re looking for something to serve as a treat.
  • Check the fat per 100 g, number of portions and allergens on the exact pack before deciding whether it suits your needs.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists both the pack size and nutritional values for the McVitie's Digestives Original value pack.

  • This specific pack is listed as 2 × 400 g, with 21 g of fat per 100 g.
  • That fat value is above the maximum of 3 g per 100 g required for the ‘low fat’ claim on solid foods, according to the European Commission.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists Verkade Duo'tjes Melk in a pack containing eight portions.

  • The number of portions helps you decide whether the pack is suitable for taking with you or sharing.
  • Jumbo lists this product as containing 21.8 g of fat per 100 g. Individual portions don’t make it suitable for a choice based on the low-fat claim.

Lidl

Lidl stocks biscuits; if you’re choosing based on fat content, the information on the exact pack is important.

  • You can check the nutritional information on the pack of the variant you’re considering.
  • Lidl says it doesn’t provide an online list of ingredients, allergens and nutritional values for food products. If needed, ask for information using the barcode.

ALDI

ALDI Netherlands shows a range of biscuit pack sizes, including packs with six bags and packs containing five sets of two biscuits.

  • The pack format can help you choose biscuits to take with you or share.
  • For a low-fat choice, check the fat per 100 g on the exact pack; the number of bags tells you nothing about it.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

When can a biscuit be called ‘low fat’?

According to the European Commission, solid foods can carry the ‘low fat’ nutrition claim if they contain no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g. Check the total fat per 100 g on the pack, not just the value per biscuit.

Should I compare biscuit multipacks per portion or per 100 g?

Compare biscuits per 100 g first, as advised by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Manufacturers can choose different portion sizes; you can then use the portion information to see how much is in each individual pack.

Are individually wrapped biscuits automatically low fat?

No, the way biscuits are packed doesn’t determine their fat content. Jumbo lists Verkade Duo'tjes Melk as containing eight portions, but also 21.8 g of fat per 100 g. That’s above the limit for the ‘low fat’ claim on solid foods.

Where can I check allergens if I can only see the range online?

Read the allergen information on the pack of the exact variant. Lidl says it doesn’t provide an online list of ingredients, allergens and nutritional values for food products. You can ask for product information using the exact variant and barcode.

Does a low-fat biscuit also make a suitable everyday snack?

The low-fat claim alone isn’t enough to make that judgement. Also check the sugars, saturated fat, fibre and ingredients. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that many snack products can be high in sugar, salt or saturated fat.