Halloween hosts keeping an eye on sugar
You’re looking for biscuits for your party and want to compare the nutritional information per 100 g before deciding how much to serve each guest.
Who is this choice for?
Parents serving treats to a group
You want to find out in advance about any allergies or dietary requirements, and whether the school or after-school club has rules about treats. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also recommends small portions for children’s treats.
Shoppers considering biscuits with no added sugar
You’re comparing total sugars and ingredients. If a product contains maltitol, check the warning on the packaging before choosing a portion.
What should you consider?
First decide whether you want to stick with filled kano biscuits or whether another type of biscuit would do. Then compare the sugar content on the same per-100 g basis, and decide on portion size afterwards.
A traditional kano biscuit
When: a familiar filled biscuit is part of your Halloween party.
Consider: a smaller portion doesn’t change the sugar content per 100 g. According to Albert Heijn, PLUS and Aviateur, the kano biscuits compared here contain 37.6 to 39 g of sugar per 100 g.
A different biscuit
When: lower sugar per 100 g matters more to you than the shape and filling of a kano biscuit.
Consider: Albert Heijn lists 18 g of sugar per 100 g for Verkade Knappertjes, but they’re not kano biscuits.
A biscuit with no added sugar
When: you’re specifically looking for this type of alternative and its ingredients suit your guests.
Consider: Jumbo lists 1.7 g of sugar per 100 g for Verkade San Francisco Naturel Zero toegevoegd suiker. It contains maltitol and carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping sugar down | Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g, then check the amount per portion. | If my main reason for choosing something other than a kano biscuit is to reduce sugar, I want to be able to compare the figures for other biscuits. Around 45% of consumers put reducing sugar first. |
| Serving a group | Check the allergens on the exact packaging and ask about the school or after-school club’s rules. | When serving treats to several children, I want to avoid choosing a biscuit that doesn’t suit their allergies or the rules in place. Around 33% of consumers put suitability for the group first. |
| Sticking with kano biscuits | Decide whether the shape and filling matter more than a lower sugar content per 100 g, then plan the portion size. | For my Halloween table, I want to serve familiar kano biscuits, even if another type of biscuit contains less sugar. Around 22% of consumers give keeping them the highest priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘less sugar than a kano biscuit’ means ‘low in sugar’
Albert Heijn lists 18 g of sugar per 100 g for Verkade Knappertjes, compared with 39 g for AH Roomboter kano’s. That difference doesn’t make the biscuits the same product, and it doesn’t tell you anything by itself about the portion you choose.
First compare the nutritional information per 100 g, then check how many grams you’ll actually be serving.
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Relying only on ‘no added sugar’
This wording doesn’t mean that the total sugar content is zero. Jumbo lists both sugars and maltitol for Verkade San Francisco Naturel Zero toegevoegd suiker, along with a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Read the ingredients list, the ‘of which sugars’ figure and any warnings on the packaging together.
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Choosing a multipack before you know who’s coming
For a children’s party, allergies and rules set by the school or after-school club can affect your choice. The product information for the kano biscuits compared here lists several allergens, including wheat, soya, milk or almond, depending on the variety.
Ask in advance about relevant allergies and rules for treats. Then check the packaging of the exact biscuits you’re buying.
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Treating online product information as the definitive label
Ingredients and nutritional information can change from one pack to another. This is especially important if you’re buying for guests with an allergy.
Use product pages to narrow down your options, then read the label on the pack you’ve bought before serving.
Brands compared
Albert Heijn
AH Roomboter kano’s are a useful reference if you want to compare traditional filled kano biscuits.
- Albert Heijn lists 39 g of sugar per 100 g and a 45 g portion.
- If you’re serving a group, check the allergens on the packaging. The product information includes wheat, soya, milk, egg and almond.
PLUS
PLUS Roomboter kano’s offer a second point of comparison for a traditional kano biscuit.
- PLUS lists 38.9 g of sugar per 100 g.
- The product information lists allergens that are present or may be present. If you’re serving them to a group, read the label on the pack you choose.
Aviateur
Aviateur Kano’s Per Wikkel are worth considering if you’re looking for individually wrapped kano biscuits.
- PLUS lists 37.6 g of sugar per 100 g for this variety.
- The product information lists wheat, soya, milk and almond; egg may also be present. Individual wrapping doesn’t remove the need to check for allergens.
Verkade
The Verkade biscuits compared here are alternatives to kano biscuits, not another variety of kano.
- Albert Heijn lists 18 g of sugar per 100 g for Knappertjes; Jumbo lists 1.7 g per 100 g for San Francisco Naturel Zero toegevoegd suiker.
- According to Jumbo, the San Francisco variety contains maltitol and carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Sondey
According to Lidl Netherlands, Sondey Kano’s are butter biscuits filled with almond paste, sold in a 325 g pack.
- An option to compare with other kano biscuits for shape and filling.
- If you’re choosing based on sugar or allergens, compare the nutritional information and ingredients on the latest packaging.
Biscuit alternatives on Joybuy
These biscuits are worth considering if a different type of biscuit would suit your Halloween party better than kano biscuits. Before choosing them for a group, assess their flavour, ingredients, allergens and portion size separately.
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Pacific seaweed-flavoured biscuits, 400 g family pack
Consider these biscuits only if seaweed flavour is right for your party; they’re not filled kano biscuits.
Before serving, compare the sugar per 100 g with the weight of an individual portion. Check the allergens on the packaging too.
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Panpan oat biscuits 216 g
If you’re looking for a biscuit instead of a kano, compare the total sugars on the label; don’t rely on claims in the product title alone.
Check the ingredients and allergens for your guests, and use the packaging to help you decide on portion size.
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Organix Bio Farm Animal Biscuits 100 g
These animal-shaped biscuits make a different treat from filled kano biscuits. Consider whether their shape and portion size are suitable for your guests.
Before serving, check the age guidance, ingredients, nutritional information and allergens on the latest packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Are traditional kano biscuits a low-sugar option?
Not when you compare their sugar content per 100 g with the biscuit alternatives mentioned here: Albert Heijn lists 39 g for AH Roomboter kano’s, PLUS lists 38.9 g for PLUS Roomboter kano’s, and Aviateur kano biscuits contain 37.6 g. A smaller portion can change the amount you serve each time, but not the figure per 100 g.
Does ‘no added sugar’ mean a biscuit contains no sugar?
No. Always check the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutrition table. For example, Jumbo lists 1.7 g of sugar per 100 g for Verkade San Francisco Naturel Zero toegevoegd suiker.
Can I serve unlimited amounts of a biscuit containing maltitol?
Don’t assume portions can be unlimited: Jumbo’s information for Verkade San Francisco Naturel Zero toegevoegd suiker includes a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Read the warning on the pack you choose and bear portion size in mind when serving.
What should I check when serving Halloween treats to children?
Ask in advance about allergies, dietary requirements and any rules set by the school or after-school club. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends small portions. Also check the allergens on the packaging of the exact biscuits you want to serve.