Shoppers looking for a biscuit with less sugar
You want to compare packaged biscuits without relying solely on wording on the front of the pack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing nutritional values per 100 g.
Who is this relevant to?
Your choice depends on whether you’re buying a biscuit, decorating it with sprinkles or selling it unpackaged.
Bakers using sprinkles as Christmas decorations
You’re choosing chocolate sprinkles to finish homemade biscuits. If you’re keeping an eye on sugar, assess the topping separately from the biscuit.
Sellers of unpackaged Christmas market biscuits
You’re offering homemade or loose biscuits for sale. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, customers must be able to get information about any allergens in unpackaged food.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you’re looking for a biscuit with less sugar, want to use sprinkles as decoration or plan to sell biscuits unpackaged. These are different purchasing and usage considerations.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar in the biscuit | For similar biscuits, compare ‘of which sugars’ and energy per 100 g; check the ingredients list too. | If I’m looking for a biscuit with less sugar, I want to be able to compare the nutritional value of the biscuit itself. Around 42% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Sprinkles as a topping | Check whether you’re buying chocolate sprinkles or a biscuit. If you’re buying sprinkles, check the variety and nutritional information if they’re part of your recipe. | If I’m decorating biscuits, I’m looking for suitable chocolate sprinkles and don’t want to mistake them for a different type of biscuit. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this choice of decoration. |
| Allergens when selling | Check which allergens are present in both the biscuit and the topping, and how customers can get this information before purchase. | When I sell unpackaged biscuits, I need to be able to tell customers about any allergens in advance. This is the main consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Choosing chocolate sprinkles as a substitute for a biscuit with less sugar
Albert Heijn and Jumbo list chocolate sprinkles under sweet sandwich toppings or sprinkles. Adding sprinkles to a biscuit doesn’t automatically lower its sugar content.
Decide whether you want to compare the topping, the biscuit or the complete recipe. Then compare products that serve the same purpose.
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Relying only on a sugar claim
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘no added sugars’ doesn’t mean that a product contains no sugars. Serving sizes also vary between products.
Compare ‘of which sugars’ and energy per 100 g, and check the ingredients list. Also look for any sweeteners or polyols listed.
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Leaving allergen information until checkout
According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, information about any allergens must be available before purchase when selling unpackaged biscuits in the Netherlands. A topping may contain different ingredients from the biscuit.
Keep a record of the allergens in each recipe and topping, and make sure customers can get the information in good time.
Relevant brands to consider
These brands are relevant when comparing chocolate sprinkles as a topping; their presence here doesn’t mean that any variety contains less sugar than a comparable biscuit.
De Ruijter
Chocolate sprinkles in the sweet sandwich toppings and sprinkles category, as seen in the ranges at Albert Heijn and Jumbo.
- A relevant option if you want to compare varieties of sprinkles for decorating biscuits.
- Check the nutritional information for the variety you choose; the brand name tells you nothing about the sugar content of the biscuit underneath.
Albert Heijn
Own-brand sprinkles in its range of sweet toppings and sprinkles, alongside sprinkles from other brands.
- Offers an own-brand option if you’re looking for chocolate sprinkles to use as a topping.
- Use the nutritional information per 100 g to compare a particular variety with other sprinkles.
Jumbo
Offers chocolate sprinkles as a topping category and also lists biscuits separately in a category for sugar-conscious products.
- The distinction between sprinkles and biscuits makes it easier to compare products that serve the same purpose.
- For a specific biscuit, check its nutritional information, ingredients and allergens separately from those of the sprinkles.
Choca
A brand of chocolate sprinkles and sprinkle mixes in Albert Heijn’s range.
- Another option when the topping itself is your main consideration.
- Check the nutritional information for your chosen variety before making a judgement about its sugar content.
Joybuy products for this choice
This packaged biscuit product is suitable if you’re looking for a biscuit to sell at a Christmas market. If you want less sugar, compare its current sugar content per 100 g with that of similar biscuits; chocolate sprinkles as a topping are a separate choice.
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g'woon Cookie Bars Less Sugar, 6 bars
An option if you’re looking for packaged biscuit bars for the Christmas market and want to compare their sugar content yourself.
Pack of 6. The ‘Less Sugar’ wording isn’t a comparison in itself: check the current pack for ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and allergen information.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare biscuits if I want less sugar?
Compare similar biscuits by their ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g, rather than just per biscuit or serving. Check energy per 100 g and the ingredients list too; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing values per 100 g.
Does ‘no added sugars’ mean a biscuit is sugar-free?
No, it may still contain sugars. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that this claim doesn’t rule out sugars that occur naturally in a product, so check ‘of which sugars’ in the nutrition table.
Are chocolate sprinkles the same type of product as a biscuit with less sugar?
No. Albert Heijn and Jumbo classify chocolate sprinkles as sweet sandwich toppings or sprinkles. Use them as a topping if you like, but compare biscuits separately when the sugar content of the biscuit itself is what matters.
Do I need to provide allergen information for unpackaged biscuits at a Christmas market?
Yes. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, when selling unpackaged food in the Netherlands you must inform customers about any allergens. Make sure information about both the biscuit and any topping is available before purchase.