If you want to choose something strictly sugar-free
You’re looking for a snack that meets the ‘sugar-free’ threshold. A regular kano biscuit isn’t an obvious choice: check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g.
Who is this choice for?
If you want to avoid added sugars
You’re mainly keeping an eye on added sugars and are happy for a product to contain some sugars. Check both the ingredients list and the nutrition table.
If you want a filled biscuit
You’d like to enjoy a familiar kano biscuit mid-morning. That’s a different choice from a strictly sugar-free snack, so decide which matters most to you.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether ‘sugar-free’ is a must-have, or whether you simply want to avoid added sugars. Then compare the nutritional information per 100 g, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Strictly sugar-free | Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says ‘sugar-free’ means no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. | If sugar-free is a must-have for me, I don’t want to choose a kano biscuit based only on the wording on the front of the pack. Around 42% of consumers prioritise this. |
| No added sugars | Check the ingredients list and the sugars per 100 g; ‘no added sugars’ doesn’t mean the same as ‘sugar-free’. | I want to avoid added sugars, but the product doesn’t necessarily have to be sugar-free. That’s the main priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| A filled biscuit | Decide whether having a kano biscuit matters more than meeting a strict sugar limit; also check the nutritional information and allergens on the pack. | When it’s time for a biscuit, I’d rather have a familiar kano than a different kind of snack, as long as it doesn’t have to be sugar-free. That’s the priority for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Reading ‘no added sugars’ as ‘sugar-free’
These are different claims. According to Jumbo, Peijnenburg wholemeal breakfast cake with no added sugars still contains 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g.
If sugar-free is a must-have for you, check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g instead of relying on the claim on the front of the pack.
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Assuming a regular kano biscuit is sugar-free
Albert Heijn lists 39 g of sugars per 100 g for its butter kano biscuits and 38 g per 100 g for its BASIC Kano biscuits. Neither of these varieties is suitable if you’re looking for a strictly sugar-free option.
Consider a different type of snack if sugar-free is a firm requirement for you.
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Comparing only the front of the pack or the portion size
Comparing products per 100 g gives you a like-for-like basis when packs list different portion sizes. AH butter kano biscuits also contain dextrose and glucose-fructose syrup, as well as sugar.
Read the nutrition table and ingredients list together before comparing two products.
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Overlooking a warning about polyols
Peijnenburg wholemeal breakfast cake with no added sugars carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
If you choose an alternative containing polyols, check the warnings on the pack too.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s product information can help you assess regular kano biscuits; the range of snacks for people watching their sugar intake extends beyond sugar-free products.
- The product information for AH butter kano biscuits includes ingredients, allergens and nutritional values.
- The same product information lists 39 g of sugars per 100 g, so these biscuits aren’t sugar-free.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s product information gives an example of a different kind of snack with no added sugars.
- The nutritional information for the Peijnenburg breakfast cake listed makes its sugars per 100 g clear.
- At 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g, this example isn’t sugar-free, according to Jumbo’s product information.
Peijnenburg
Its wholemeal breakfast cake with no added sugars is an alternative to consider if you’re not specifically looking for a kano biscuit.
- The ‘no added sugars’ claim is relevant if that’s what you’re looking out for.
- According to the product information, this variety still contains 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g. Check the warning about excessive consumption too.
Joybuy: crackers as an alternative snack
These matzo crackers are a different kind of snack from a filled kano biscuit. If sugar-free is your main requirement, check the sugar content on the pack before choosing.
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Hollandia Natural Matzo Crackers, 16 pieces
A mid-morning snack for when you fancy a cracker instead of a filled biscuit.
Pack of 16. If you’re looking for a strictly sugar-free option, check the sugars per 100 g on the pack; read the allergen information if it’s relevant to you.
Frequently asked questions
Can you tell from the front of a kano biscuit pack whether it’s sugar-free?
No. Check the nutrition table per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘sugar-free’ means no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g; Albert Heijn lists 39 g per 100 g for its butter kano biscuits.
Does ‘no added sugars’ mean the same as ‘sugar-free’?
No. A product with no added sugars may still contain sugars. According to Jumbo, Peijnenburg wholemeal breakfast cake carrying that claim contains 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g.
How do you compare two sweet snacks?
Compare the nutritional information for similar products per 100 g, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Also read the ingredients list and check which allergens are listed on the pack.
What should you look for in an alternative containing polyols?
Check the nutritional information and any warnings on the pack. Peijnenburg wholemeal breakfast cake with no added sugars carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.