Who is this choice relevant to?

Consumers with a food allergy who are looking for less sugar

A lower sugar content only matters once you have checked the biscuit for the allergen you need to avoid and any warnings about possible cross-contamination.

Consumers looking for biscuits with no added sugar

Compare the exact sugar claim, but also check the ingredients, allergens, sweeteners used and portion size.

Consumers looking for an alternative to a familiar type of biscuit

For example, you might be looking for a biscuit or syrup waffle with less sugar. That claim doesn’t change the need to check the allergen information for that particular variety.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, check the current packaging for the allergens you need to avoid and any warnings about possible cross-contamination. Then choose the sugar claim that suits your needs and compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this most important for?
Allergens and possible cross-contamination Read the allergen information on the current packaging and assess any ‘may contain’ warning separately. If a warning about possible cross-contamination is a deciding factor for me, I want to see it before comparing sugar content. An estimated 36% of consumers put this check first.
Ingredients in the variety you have chosen Check the full ingredients list for the allergen you need to avoid; don’t assume it has the same ingredients as a different type or variety of biscuit. I want to know whether this particular biscuit contains the ingredient I need to avoid. For an estimated 29% of consumers, this is the most important question when comparing varieties.
What the sugar claim means Check whether the packaging says ‘reduced sugar’, ‘no added sugar’ or ‘sugar-free’, and compare the stated sugars per 100 g. Once I’ve checked the allergens, I want to see how much sugar a biscuit actually contains rather than relying on the front of the pack. An estimated 21% of consumers put this comparison first.
Polyols and portion size Check whether the ingredients list includes polyols such as maltitol, and read any warning about excessive consumption. When I’m considering a biscuit with sweeteners, I want to take any warning into account when choosing a portion. An estimated 14% of consumers give this practical consideration top priority.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking a sugar claim for an allergy claim

    Biscuits with less sugar or no added sugar may still contain allergens. Albert Heijn lists cereals containing gluten, milk and soya among the allergens in its reduced-sugar butter syrup waffles.

    Check the allergen information on the packaging of your chosen product first; only then compare the sugar claim and nutritional values.

  • Assuming online product information is definitive

    An ingredients list you read previously may not match a later package. Albert Heijn notes that product information can change.

    Check the packaging again when you buy or receive the product, even if you’ve bought the same biscuit before.

  • Overlooking polyols and consumption warnings

    The packaging of biscuits containing polyols may warn that excessive consumption can have a laxative effect. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes this warning for foods containing more than 10% added polyols.

    Check the ingredients list for substances such as maltitol or isomalt, and read the warning before choosing a portion.

  • Confusing ‘reduced sugar’ with ‘sugar-free’

    A comparison with a regular product doesn’t tell you how much sugar the biscuit itself contains. Albert Heijn says its reduced-sugar butter syrup waffles contain 32% less sugar than the regular variety, as well as 23 g of sugars per 100 g.

    Compare the exact claim and the nutritional information per 100 g; also consider how much you’ll have in a portion.

Brands and shops to consider

Albert Heijn

Its range includes AH Digestive 0% suiker and AH Roomboter minder suiker stroopwafels.

  • The product information lists ingredients, nutritional values and allergens for each biscuit.
  • AH Digestive 0% suiker contains wheat and may contain barley, oats and rye. The syrup waffles contain cereals containing gluten, milk and soya, among other ingredients. Check the current packaging, as product information can change.

Verkade

San Francisco Zero is a biscuit with no added sugar.

  • The nutritional information states 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g, so you can compare the claim with the nutritional values.
  • According to Albert Heijn’s product information, this biscuit contains wheat, milk and soya. It also carries a warning about a laxative effect if consumed in excess.

Céréal

Its sugar-free varieties include coconut biscuits and speculoos biscuits with almonds.

  • The allergen information published by Jumbo lets you assess the two varieties separately.
  • The coconut variety contains wheat and may contain several other allergens. The almond speculoos variety contains almonds, barley, egg, milk, soya and wheat, among other ingredients.

ALDI / Goud Gebakken

ALDI Netherlands lists Goud Gebakken koekhappers in a variety with 30% less sugar.

  • The packaging described contains six individually wrapped biscuits.
  • If you have a food allergy, assess this variety using the ingredients and allergens listed on the current packaging, not just the sugar claim.

Jumbo

It provides product information for products including Verkade San Francisco Zero and Céréal sugar-free varieties.

  • The product pages list ingredients, allergens and nutritional values for each variety.
  • The biscuits mentioned contain different allergens. Use the online information to compare varieties, then check the packaging of the one you choose.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I find allergen information on a packaged biscuit?

Check the current packaging for the ingredients list and any warnings about possible cross-contamination. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that 14 allergens must be listed on labels of prepacked foods. Compare this information with the allergen you need to avoid.

Is a reduced-sugar biscuit suitable if I have a food allergy?

Not on the basis of the sugar claim alone: you need to assess the allergens separately. Albert Heijn lists cereals containing gluten, milk and soya, among other allergens, in its butter syrup waffles with 32% less sugar than the regular variety.

Does ‘no added sugar’ mean there are no sugars in the product?

No. Verkade San Francisco Zero is sold with no added sugar, but the product information states that it contains naturally occurring sugars and 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g. So be sure to check the nutritional table too.

Why do biscuits sometimes carry a warning about excessive consumption?

Excessive consumption of biscuits containing polyols can have a laxative effect. This warning appears on products including AH Digestive 0% suiker and Verkade San Francisco Zero. Check the ingredients and the wording on the packaging of the variety you choose.