Who is this choice relevant to?

Sugar-conscious host

You want a sweet biscuit to have with coffee or after savoury nibbles, so you compare the listed sugars per 100 g rather than relying on the wording on the front of the pack.

Host catering for different dietary needs

You’re putting out biscuits for several guests and need to know which ingredients and potential allergens are listed on the packaging.

Chocolate biscuit fan

You’re mainly looking for a chocolate biscuit to have with drinks or coffee, but don’t want to mistake a regular chocolate variety for a lower-sugar option.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether chocolate is a must-have. Then, following the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s advice, compare the nutrition information for similar biscuits per 100 g and check the ingredients and allergen information too.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Listed sugars For similar chocolate biscuits, compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. If I want to serve a sweet biscuit but limit the listed sugars, this is my first consideration. Around 42% of consumers prioritise the lowest possible sugar figure.
Sweeteners and polyols Read the ingredients list and check for any warning about excessive consumption. With biscuits containing sugar substitutes, I want to know what guests might consume if they have more than one. For around 25% of consumers, the presence of sweeteners matters most.
Chocolate Check that the biscuit actually contains chocolate and what type of biscuit you’re choosing. I want a recognisable chocolate biscuit to serve with drinks, even if reducing sugar isn’t my main priority. Chocolate comes first for around 17% of consumers.
Allergens Check the current packaging to see which allergens the product contains or may contain. If I’m putting out biscuits for guests with dietary restrictions, I first need to check whether the exact product is suitable for them. For around 16% of consumers, this is the main consideration.

Common mistakes

  • Relying on a sugar claim alone

    ‘No added sugar’ and ‘sugar-free’ don’t mean the same thing when it comes to nutrition. Albert Heijn lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Verkade San Francisco Zero, despite the ‘0% added sugar’ claim.

    For the exact product, check the ‘of which sugars’ figure, any polyols and the ingredients list; compare the values per 100 g.

  • Overlooking the warning about polyols

    Albert Heijn lists 26 g of polyols per 100 g for Céréal Chocolate Chip Cookie with no sugars, along with a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. This is worth bearing in mind when guests can help themselves to as many biscuits as they like.

    Keep the packaging available when serving so guests can read the ingredients and warning.

  • Assuming a biscuit without chocolate is an equivalent substitute

    According to Albert Heijn, Verkade San Francisco Zero has a low listed sugar figure, but it isn’t a chocolate biscuit. So it won’t meet the needs of anyone who prioritises chocolate.

    Decide whether chocolate is essential, then compare chocolate biscuits with one another.

  • Forgetting about allergens when focusing on sugar

    A sugar claim says nothing about whether a biscuit is suitable for someone with an allergy or another dietary restriction. Ingredients and potential traces vary by product.

    Ask guests about any relevant restrictions and check the current packaging of the biscuits you’re serving.

Brands to compare

Compare specific biscuits rather than treating an entire brand as sugar-conscious or low in sugar: product types, sugar content and ingredients can vary within a range.

Céréal

The Chocolate Chip Cookie with no sugars is a chocolate biscuit for anyone mainly looking to compare the listed sugar figure.

  • Albert Heijn lists 0 g of sugars and 26 g of polyols per 100 g for this product.
  • It contains maltitols, wheat and oats. Check the packaging for the warning about excessive consumption and for any other potential allergens.

Verkade

The range includes both a biscuit with no added sugar and a separate chocolate variety; they aren’t like-for-like chocolate options.

  • Albert Heijn lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g for San Francisco Zero.
  • San Francisco Zero isn’t a chocolate biscuit. Verkade lists 33 g of sugars per 100 g for Chocorondjes Milk Chocolate.

Lotus Biscoff

Speculoos with Chocolate is a good choice if you specifically want to serve chocolate speculoos, but not if your only priority is a low listed sugar figure.

  • Lotus Bakeries Netherlands lists 22% chocolate for this product.
  • The same product lists 39.6 g of sugars per 100 g and, according to the product specifications, contains wheat, milk and soya.

Albert Heijn

The own-brand range also includes a regular chocolate biscuit; check its own label for details.

  • According to Albert Heijn, AH Sugared Biscuits, dark chocolate have a coating of 27% dark chocolate.
  • Albert Heijn lists 35 g of sugars per 100 g for this product, including 34 g of added sugars. Before serving, check the current packaging for ingredients and allergens.

Joybuy products

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

How do I compare chocolate biscuits if I want less sugar?

Compare the listed sugars in similar biscuits per 100 g, not just per serving. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends this basis for comparison because manufacturers set their own serving sizes. Then check the ingredients and allergen information too.

Does ‘0% added sugar’ mean a biscuit contains no sugars?

No: Albert Heijn lists both 0% added sugar and 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Verkade San Francisco Zero. Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutrition table, and bear in mind that this particular biscuit isn’t a chocolate biscuit.

What should I look for in sugar-free chocolate biscuits with sweeteners?

Check which sweeteners the exact product contains and whether there’s a warning on the packaging. Albert Heijn lists maltitols and 26 g of polyols per 100 g for Céréal Chocolate Chip Cookie with no sugars, along with a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

Can a manufacturer put ‘sugar-free’ on the packaging without meeting any requirements?

No. Nutrition claims must meet EU requirements: according to the European Commission, only claims listed in the annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 are permitted. When choosing a biscuit, treat the claim as a prompt to check the current nutrition table and ingredients for that exact product too.