Who are these options relevant to?

Visitors keeping a close eye on sugar

They’re looking for a chocolate biscuit with a clearly stated, low sugar content on the label, and want to know which sweeteners it contains too.

Buyers looking for a biscuit with no added sugars

They want something to enjoy with coffee or tea at the Christmas market. It doesn’t have to be a chocolate variety, but the exact sugar claim still matters.

Stallholders selling biscuits loose

They need to make allergen information available to visitors before purchase, even when the original packaging isn’t kept with the loose biscuits. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights this requirement for unpackaged food.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by deciding whether it really needs to be a chocolate biscuit. Then compare the sugar content and check the ingredients and allergens before serving it.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Sugar content Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and check the exact claim on the packaging. Céréal Netherlands lists 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g for Choco Delight Puur. If I want to cut down on sugar as much as possible, I want a figure on the label that I can compare. For an estimated 36% of consumers, that specific sugar content is the main reason for their choice.
Chocolate or biscuit Check whether the exact product contains chocolate: Jumbo lists a dark chocolate coating for Céréal Choco Delight Puur, while Verkade describes San Francisco Zero as a biscuit with no added sugars. If I want to offer a chocolate biscuit specifically at the Christmas market, a biscuit with no confirmed chocolate content won’t do; around 29% of consumers prioritise the chocolate and biscuit experience.
Sweeteners and allergens Read the ingredients and warnings on the current packaging. Céréal Netherlands lists 24 g of polyols per 100 g for Choco Delight Puur; Jumbo names wheat, soya, milk and egg, among other ingredients. If I need to take certain ingredients into account, the sugar claim alone can’t determine my choice. For around 21% of consumers, sweeteners or allergens are the most important factors.
How it’s sold Keep the label with the product, or make sure allergen information is available before purchase when selling it unpackaged, as advised by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority. At a stall selling loose biscuits, I need to be able to tell visitors which allergens they contain. An estimated 14% of consumers prioritise the practicalities of how the product is sold and how information is provided.

Common mistakes

  • Reading ‘no added sugars’ as ‘sugar-free’

    These claims don’t mean the same thing: a product with no added sugars may still contain sugars. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses that nutrition claims must be accurate.

    Compare the ‘of which sugars’ line in the nutrition table and check the exact claim on the packaging.

  • Assuming a low sugar content automatically makes it a suitable snack

    The sugar content doesn’t tell you how much fat or energy a portion contains. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that snacks can vary across several nutritional values.

    Check the nutrition information per 100 g and per portion, rather than looking only at the sugar claim on the front.

  • Overlooking polyols and allergens

    Céréal Netherlands lists 24 g of polyols per 100 g for Choco Delight Puur. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, products with more than 10% added polyols carry a warning about a possible laxative effect if consumed in excess.

    Check the ingredients, allergens and any warnings on the current pack before choosing or serving the biscuit.

  • Selling biscuits loose without allergen information

    According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, consumers must be able to get allergen information before buying unpackaged food.

    Keep the biscuits in their original packaging, or make the information readily available if selling them loose.

    Selling them loose also takes time: you’ll need to keep the information up to date for each product and make it accessible to visitors.

Brands compared

Céréal

For this particular choice, Choco Delight Puur is a chocolate biscuit with a published sugar content.

  • Céréal Netherlands lists 0.5 g of sugars and 24 g of polyols per 100 g for Choco Delight Puur.
  • Jumbo lists wheat, soya, milk and egg, among other ingredients; check the current packaging if these ingredients matter to your choice.

Verkade

Verkade describes San Francisco Zero as a crisp biscuit with no added sugars.

  • The brand’s claim is relevant if a biscuit with no added sugars will do.
  • Don’t treat San Francisco Zero as a confirmed chocolate biscuit or a sugar-free product; check the packaging and nutrition information if those are requirements.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

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

No, they are different claims: no added sugars doesn’t mean a product contains no sugars. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses that nutrition claims must be accurate. Before choosing, check the ‘of which sugars’ line in the nutrition table too.

Why do polyols matter in a low-sugar chocolate biscuit?

Polyols may be used as a sweetener in the biscuit: Céréal Netherlands lists 24 g of polyols per 100 g for Choco Delight Puur. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that products with more than 10% added polyols carry a warning about a possible laxative effect if consumed in excess. Check the warnings on the packaging.

Can I sell biscuits loose at a Christmas market?

When selling biscuits loose, allergen information must be available to consumers before they buy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that, for unpackaged food, this information can be provided in a way other than on the original label. Make sure visitors can get the correct information for the biscuit you’re selling.

Which allergens should I check for in Céréal Choco Delight Puur?

Jumbo lists wheat, soya, milk and egg among the ingredients in Céréal Choco Delight Puur; Céréal also mentions possible traces of nuts, mustard and sesame. Always check the allergen information on the current packaging before buying or selling it.