Who is this choice relevant to?

Consumers who specifically look for ‘low fat’

For you, the EU condition of no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g for a solid biscuit or bar is decisive. The size or name of the product is no substitute for checking this.

Consumers who want to keep to a single portion

You’re looking for a biscuit or bar for one snack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises comparing products per 100 g; the weight of each item then helps you assess the portion.

Consumers who also need to check ingredients

As well as the nutritional information, check the ingredients and allergens. Product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo shows that these vary between biscuits and bars, so check the packaging of the product you choose.

What should you look for when buying?

First compare like-for-like biscuits and bars by fat per 100 g. The weight of each item and the other nutritional information can then help you assess whether it’s right for a single snack.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Low-fat condition Check the total fat content per 100 g. Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, solid foods can carry the ‘low fat’ claim only if they contain no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g. If I specifically want a biscuit or bar that can be called ‘low fat’, this limit is my first selection criterion. For around 46% of consumers, this condition comes first.
Portion size First compare per 100 g, then check the weight of each biscuit or bar and the number of items in the pack. When I’m out and about, I want to be able to keep to a single snack without automatically calling a small bar low fat. Portion control matters most to around 27% of consumers.
Other nutritional values As well as total fat, compare saturated fat, sugars, fibre and protein on a like-for-like basis. When choosing between regular snack bars, I also want to weigh up the other nutritional values. For around 18% of consumers, this broader comparison is the main consideration.
Ingredients and allergens Read the ingredients and allergen information, including any ‘may contain’ statement, on the current packaging. If I need to avoid certain ingredients, a biscuit or bar must first meet that requirement. For around 9% of consumers, this check comes first.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘Zero’ or ‘high protein’ means ‘low fat’

    According to Jumbo, B'tween Zero Melkchocolade contains 9,4 g of fat per 100 g; Albert Heijn lists 16 g per 100 g for Trek High Protein Lotus Biscoff. Both figures exceed the EU condition for the ‘low fat’ claim on solid foods.

    Don’t treat a product name or a claim about another nutrient as a substitute for checking the ‘fat’ figure per 100 g.

  • Looking only at the figure per item

    A smaller portion may contain less fat per snack, but that doesn’t mean the product has a lower fat content per 100 g. Different portion sizes make comparisons per item less useful.

    Compare like-for-like products per 100 g, then use the weight of each item to assess your portion, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises.

  • Checking allergens only after the nutritional information

    Whether a biscuit or bar meets your ingredient requirements depends on the specific product. Product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo lists different allergens for the examples discussed.

    Before eating it, check the current packaging, including any ‘may contain’ statement.

Brands and shops to consider

Lotus Biscoff

Speculoos biscuits for anyone looking for an individual biscuit.

  • Albert Heijn lists the weight of the speculoos biscuit discussed here as 7,8 g per biscuit.
  • Albert Heijn also lists 19 g of fat per 100 g. This product therefore does not meet the EU condition for the ‘low fat’ claim on solid foods.

Albert Heijn

Product pages for items including Lotus Biscoff speculoos, Trek High Protein Lotus Biscoff and Balisto Muesli.

  • The published nutritional information makes it possible to compare these specific products per 100 g.
  • Product information can change, so check the packaging before using a product.

Jumbo

Publishes nutritional information for products including B'tween Zero Melkchocolade muesli bars.

  • For this bar, Jumbo lists 9,4 g of fat per 100 g, so you can compare it with other bars.
  • ‘Zero’ doesn’t mean low fat here: 9,4 g of fat per 100 g is above the EU claim condition for solid foods. Check the allergens on the packaging too.

Lidl

Stocks different types of products, including biscuit bars and protein bars.

  • Lidl lists six bars per pack for the biscuit bars discussed here, which helps you assess the pack format.
  • Only assess a specific bar once you can check its fat content per 100 g on the nutrition table.

ALDI / Golden Bridge

According to ALDI, Golden Bridge includes products such as muesli bars, fruit bars and biscuits.

  • The range of product formats gives you options to compare portions and ingredients.
  • Don’t infer the fat content from the product format: check the nutritional information per 100 g for the variant you choose.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

When can a biscuit or bar be called ‘low fat’?

Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the ‘low fat’ nutrition claim can be used for solid foods if the product contains no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g. This claim condition is not personal dietary advice or a daily maximum.

Should I compare fat per bar or per 100 g?

First compare like-for-like products per 100 g, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises. Then check the weight and nutritional information per bar or biscuit to assess it as a single snack.

Does ‘no added sugars’ also mean low fat?

No. A statement about sugars says nothing in itself about the fat content. Jumbo lists 9,4 g of fat per 100 g for B'tween Zero Melkchocolade, which is above the EU condition for the ‘low fat’ claim on solid foods.

Is a protein bar automatically a low-fat choice?

No. The protein content doesn’t determine whether a bar meets the low-fat condition. Albert Heijn lists 29 g of protein and 16 g of fat per 100 g for Trek High Protein Lotus Biscoff; check each figure separately.

How do I check allergens in a biscuit or bar?

Read the allergen information and any ‘may contain’ statement on the current packaging of the specific product. Don’t assume it has the same ingredients as another flavour, variant or bar.