Who is this choice relevant to?

The sugar-conscious host

You want to serve Dutch spiced biscuits with coffee, so you compare the sugar content per 100 g. An appealing message on the front of the pack isn’t enough for you to call a product ‘lower sugar’.

The host who takes allergens into account

A guest needs to avoid certain ingredients. Before serving, you check the latest ingredients and allergen information, even if a product is labelled gluten-free.

The portion planner

You’re serving Dutch spiced biscuits to several coffee guests and want to know how many you’ll need. The pack size, serving suggestions and storage advice can help you decide.

What should you look for when buying?

First, decide what matters most for this coffee break: a verifiable sugar comparison, a guest’s specific needs or practical serving. Then check the label on the product you’re actually buying.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it’s most relevant to
Comparing sugar Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g across similar types of Dutch spiced biscuits. Check any claim against the specific product. I want to offer less sugar, but I don’t want to mistake a lower figure on its own for a product claim. For around 50% of consumers, a verifiable sugar comparison comes first.
Allergens and dietary needs Read the latest allergen declaration and any ‘may contain’ warning; don’t rely on ‘gluten-free’ alone. If a guest needs to avoid something, I first want to know whether these biscuits are suitable for them. This need is the top priority for around 20% of consumers.
Portions and serving Check the pack weight, serving information and storage advice after opening. When I’m having coffee with several friends, I want to know how much to put out and what to do with the rest. Around 30% of consumers prioritise this practical aspect of serving.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming gluten-free means lower in sugar

    Albert Heijn’s gluten-free Maître Mathis Dutch spiced biscuits listed 41 g of sugars per 100 g. Regular products from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS listed 38,1 to 39 g per 100 g. For these products, gluten-free was therefore no indication of a lower sugar content.

    Choose a gluten-free option to meet the relevant dietary need, then compare the sugar content separately.

  • Mistaking a small portion for a reduction in sugar

    The value per portion depends partly on the serving size used by the manufacturer. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre therefore recommends comparing similar products per 100 g.

    Use ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g to compare products, then use the serving information to decide how much to serve. Check any claim against the specific product.

  • Assuming a product listing means it’s currently available

    The Jumbo listing for a Dutch spiced biscuit figure and the Albert Heijn listing for the gluten-free Maître Mathis version both stated that the products were no longer part of the online range.

    Before buying, check that your chosen version is available and read the information on the current packaging.

  • Guessing allergens from the type of product

    Regular and gluten-free Dutch spiced biscuits can contain different ingredients. For example, the gluten-free Maître Mathis version listed contains milk and lupin.

    Ask which substances your guest needs to avoid, then check both the allergen declaration and any warnings about traces before serving.

Shops to use as a reference for Dutch spiced biscuits

These product listings show you which details you can compare. The values given apply to the individual product in question, not to all Dutch spiced biscuits sold by a particular shop.

Albert Heijn

The own-brand Dutch spiced biscuits and a gluten-free Maître Mathis version give you two different labels to assess.

  • According to Albert Heijn, the own-brand listing gives 39 g of sugars and 35 g of added sugars per 100 g.
  • The gluten-free Maître Mathis version listed 41 g of sugars per 100 g and, according to Albert Heijn, was no longer part of the online range.

Jumbo

A Jumbo Dutch spiced biscuit figure has product information that lets you check the nutritional values per 100 g.

  • According to Jumbo, the Jumbo Bakkers Taaitaai Pop listed 38,1 g of sugars per 100 g.
  • Jumbo stated in this product listing that the product was no longer part of the online range.

PLUS

PLUS lists its traditional Dutch spiced biscuits in a 250 g bag, a pack size to factor into your portion planning.

  • For this product, PLUS lists 38,594 g of sugars and 37,613 g of added sugars per 100 g.
  • When serving, check the latest allergen information on this specific pack.

ALDI

ALDI lists Dutch spiced biscuits in a 500 g pack, which is useful when working out how much you’ll need for your group.

  • ALDI’s product listing gives a pack size of 500 g.
  • Check the sugar content and allergens on the packaging before comparing this version with other products.

Dirk

Dirk lists 500 g packs of mini Dutch spiced biscuits; their shape and pack size may be useful when serving.

  • Dirk’s search listing gives a pack size of 500 g.
  • Check the nutritional information and ingredients on your chosen product before using it as the basis for a sugar comparison.

Dutch spiced biscuits at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

When can you call Dutch spiced biscuits ‘lower sugar’?

Use that description only if you can verify the claim for the specific product on its current packaging or in the product information. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that nutrition claims must be accurate. A lower sugar figure than another biscuit is not, on its own, confirmation of such a claim.

Should you compare sugars per portion or per 100 g?

Compare similar Dutch spiced biscuits per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, manufacturers may choose different serving sizes. You can then use the serving information to plan how much to put out with coffee.

Are gluten-free Dutch spiced biscuits automatically lower in sugar?

No. According to Albert Heijn, the gluten-free Maître Mathis Dutch spiced biscuits listed 41 g of sugars per 100 g, compared with 38,1 to 39 g per 100 g for the regular products mentioned from Jumbo, PLUS and Albert Heijn. Check the label of each specific product when making a new choice.

What should you check if a coffee guest needs to avoid allergens?

First ask which substances your guest needs to avoid, then read the latest allergen declaration and any ‘may contain’ warning. Dutch spiced biscuits labelled gluten-free may still contain other allergens: for the Maître Mathis version listed, Albert Heijn names milk and lupin.