Who is this choice relevant to?

A host with a strict sugar-free requirement

You’re looking for a Christmas party treat that meets the sugar-free threshold. Voedingscentrum explains that a ‘no added sugars’ claim on its own doesn’t mean a product is sugar-free.

A party planner who wants to serve classic canoe pastries

You want to serve the familiar pastries filled with almond paste. Bear in mind that Albert Heijn lists 39 g of sugars per 100 g for its AH Roomboter kano's. If any guests have allergies, be sure to check the current packaging.

A shopper looking for a biscuit with no added sugars

You’re less concerned about the canoe shape and are considering a biscuit instead. If so, check the total sugars, sweeteners and allergens on the packaging as well as the claim.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide whether sugar-free is a strict requirement for your Christmas party, or whether a biscuit with no added sugars will do. Once you’ve decided, it makes sense to choose between a classic canoe pastry and a different type of biscuit.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Strictly sugar-free Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g on the label. Voedingscentrum says a product can contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g to be labelled sugar-free. If a guest needs a strictly sugar-free treat, I want to be able to check the total sugar content rather than relying on the word ‘zero’. For around 42% of consumers, this strict requirement comes first.
No added sugars Compare the claim with the total sugars per 100 g, and check which sweeteners and warnings are listed on the packaging. If the canoe shape isn’t essential, I want to be able to offer a biscuit with no added sugars, even if it isn’t sugar-free. Around 33% of consumers say this is their priority.
Classic canoe pastry Check the sugars per 100 g and the allergens on the packaging of the product you’re actually serving. For my party table, the familiar canoe pastry may matter more than a sugar claim, as long as guests know what they’re eating. For around 25% of consumers, keeping the classic canoe pastry is the top priority.

Common mistakes

  • Taking ‘zero added sugar’ to mean ‘sugar-free’

    A product with no added sugars can still contain sugars. Albert Heijn lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Verkade San Francisco Zero, which is above the sugar-free threshold explained by Voedingscentrum.

    If you have a strict sugar-free requirement, check the total sugars per 100 g rather than relying only on the wording on the front of the pack.

  • Presenting classic canoe pastries as a sugar-free treat

    Albert Heijn lists 39 g of sugars and 38 g of added sugars per 100 g for AH Roomboter kano's. This variety isn’t suitable for anyone looking for a sugar-free product or one with no added sugars.

    Make it clear that classic canoe pastries are a regular treat, and keep them separate from an alternative that meets the relevant requirement.

  • Overlooking the warning on a biscuit containing sweeteners

    Product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo says that excessive consumption of Verkade San Francisco Zero may have a laxative effect.

    Keep the packaging available when serving it so guests can check the ingredients and warning for themselves.

  • Assuming the allergens from the product name alone

    For AH Roomboter kano's, Albert Heijn lists egg, milk, cereals containing gluten, soya and almonds, among other allergens. The ingredients on the packaging you’ve bought determine what you’re serving.

    Check the allergen information on the packaging just before the party, especially if a guest has an allergy.

Relevant brands and retailers

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists both AH Roomboter kano's and the Verkade San Francisco Zero biscuit.

  • The product information for AH Roomboter kano's gives the sugars and added sugars per 100 g.
  • With 39 g of sugars per 100 g, these canoe pastries aren’t sugar-free. Check the current packaging for allergens too.

Verkade

San Francisco Zero is a biscuit with no added sugars, not a filled canoe pastry.

  • Albert Heijn and Jumbo list 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g for this biscuit.
  • That means the product isn’t sugar-free. The product information also warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

PLUS

PLUS lists Roomboter kano's as classic patisserie biscuits.

  • The product listing gives a pack size of 275 g and a Nutri-Score of E.
  • To see whether these canoe pastries meet your sugar requirements, check the current nutritional information on the packaging, rather than relying on the product name or Nutri-Score.

ALDI / Heerlijck Banket

ALDI lists Heerlijck Banket Kano's as patisserie biscuits in a canoe shape.

  • The product listing gives a pack size of 330 g.
  • If sugar-free is a requirement, check the sugars per 100 g on the packaging.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists Verkade San Francisco Naturel Zero toegevoegd suiker as a biscuit option.

  • The product information lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g.
  • This isn’t a canoe pastry or a sugar-free product. Check the packaging for the warning about excessive consumption too.

Products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘no added sugars’ mean the same as sugar-free?

No. According to Voedingscentrum, a product can contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g or 100 ml to be labelled sugar-free. ‘No added sugars’ means that no sugars or other foods used for their sweetening properties have been added; the product may still contain sugars.

Can I serve AH Roomboter kano's if a guest wants something sugar-free?

Not if sugar-free is a strict requirement. Albert Heijn lists 39 g of sugars per 100 g for these canoe pastries, while Voedingscentrum says the sugar-free claim allows a maximum of 0.5 g per 100 g. In that case, keep the canoe pastries separate from a treat that does meet the requirement.

Can Verkade San Francisco Zero replace canoe pastries?

Only if a biscuit with no added sugars is suitable for your guests instead of a canoe pastry. Albert Heijn and Jumbo list 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g, so the product isn’t sugar-free. The product information also warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

Which allergens should I check in classic canoe pastries?

Always check the allergens on the packaging of the canoe pastries you’re serving. For AH Roomboter kano's, Albert Heijn lists egg, milk, cereals containing gluten, soya, lactose, almonds and wheat. Don’t assume that other canoe pastries have the same ingredients.