Who are these options for?

Tea drinkers choosing by the sugar claim

You’re looking for a biscuit labelled sugar-free or one with a specific reduction claim. Check what the claim applies to for each product, and see what the biscuit has been sweetened with.

Fans of a familiar tea biscuit

You want a recognisable biscuit to have with your tea, but you also pay attention to added sugar. Albert Heijn describes Verkade San Francisco Zero as a crisp biscuit with no added sugar; check the nutritional information on the pack before comparing.

Shoppers who consider the ingredients

You look at more than just the sugars: you also check the sweeteners used and any warnings. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, sweeteners are listed on the label.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the claim that suits your tea break. Then compare like-for-like products using the nutritional information per 100 g. For your usual portion, check the number of biscuits and the ingredients too.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Sugar claim Check whether the product is labelled sugar-free or has a specific reduction compared with a reference product. Compare the sugars per 100 g. If I mainly want to keep an eye on sugars when having tea, I first look for a clear product claim. This sugar claim is the top priority for around 42% of consumers.
Familiar biscuit Distinguish between no added sugar and sugar-free, and check the serving size and nutritional information on the pack. When I have tea, I mainly want a familiar, crisp biscuit and want to know which sugar claim applies. This is the main consideration for around 33% of consumers.
Ingredients and sweeteners Check the ingredients list to see which sweetener is used, and look out for any warnings about polyols. Before having several biscuits, I want to know which sweeteners they contain and whether I need to take account of a warning. Around 25% of consumers put this ingredient check first.

Common mistakes

  • Treating Zero, no added sugar and sugar-free as the same thing

    These phrases don’t describe the same product claim. For example, Albert Heijn describes Verkade San Francisco Zero as having no added sugar, while Jumbo describes specific Céréal biscuits as sugar-free.

    Read the exact claim and compare like-for-like biscuits by sugars per 100 g and per serving.

  • Looking only at sugars

    Maltitol is listed as a sweetener in specific Céréal biscuits. If you focus only on the sugar claim, you could overlook an ingredient or a warning on the label.

    Check the ingredients list and any warning about polyols, especially if you’re also choosing other products containing polyols.

  • Assuming a classic biscuit is automatically a lower-sugar choice

    Lotus Biscoff Speculoos XL is a speculoos option for anyone looking for that flavour; the brand name alone says nothing about its sugar content being lower.

    Use the nutritional information on the pack if you want to compare this biscuit with a specific lower-sugar option.

  • Relying on out-of-date product information

    Albert Heijn points out that a product’s ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change.

    Check the pack again when you buy or serve the product, particularly for allergens and sweeteners.

Brands compared

Compare the product ranges mentioned individually: a biscuit, speculoos and spiced cake aren’t necessarily like-for-like options to have with tea.

Céréal

For anyone looking for a specific sugar claim, Jumbo lists Céréal sesame and vanilla biscuits as sugar-free, as well as Choco Delight Dark with 97% less sugar than a standard biscuit.

  • The claims specify the sugar option offered for each product.
  • The reduction claim applies to the particular variety and comparison, not all Céréal biscuits. Check the ingredients and any warning about polyols too.

Verkade

Albert Heijn describes San Francisco Zero as a crisp biscuit with no added sugar, for anyone looking for a familiar biscuit.

  • The product description clearly states the no-added-sugar claim.
  • This claim isn’t the same as sugar-free; use the latest packaging to compare nutritional values and ingredients.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn has a ‘sugar-conscious’ biscuit category and lists AH Digestive 0% Sugar as a separate own-brand product.

  • You can compare the claim on a specific digestive biscuit with those on other types of biscuits.
  • Albert Heijn advises checking the packaging because product information, including ingredients and allergens, can change.

Snelle Jelle

Jumbo states that Snelle Jelle Kruidkoek Minder Suiker contains 30% less sugar than Snelle Jelle Kruidkoek naturel.

  • The reference product is clearly named, so you know what the reduction claim applies to.
  • Spiced cake is a different type of product from a small tea biscuit; don’t treat its claim as a direct comparison with biscuits or speculoos.

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus Biscoff Speculoos XL is an option to consider if you mainly want speculoos with your tea.

  • This specific speculoos variety gives you a clear product to compare by flavour and serving size.
  • Don’t treat this standard variety as a lower-sugar biscuit without comparing its nutritional information with that of a sugar-conscious option.

Cookie bars on Joybuy

These cookie bars are an option for anyone considering a cookie bar for a tea break. Compare the Less Sugar label with the nutritional information and sugar claim for a like-for-like product; a cookie bar isn’t the same as a classic tea biscuit.

g'woon Cookie Bars Less Sugar, 6 pieces

g'woon Cookie Bars Less Sugar, 6 pieces

A cookie bar for anyone looking for something different from a biscuit to have with tea. Less Sugar appears in the product name; check the pack for sugars per 100 g, the ingredients and the basis for comparison before assessing the level of sugar reduction.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does no added sugar mean the same as sugar-free?

No. Don’t compare these product claims as if they mean the same thing. Albert Heijn describes Verkade San Francisco Zero as having no added sugar, while Jumbo lists specific Céréal biscuits as sugar-free. Check the packaging of the product you choose for its sugar content and ingredients.

What should I look for if a biscuit contains maltitol?

Read the ingredients list and check whether the pack carries a warning about polyols. Jumbo lists maltitol in specific Céréal biscuits, so also consider the serving size if you plan to have several products containing polyols.

Why should I check the packaging when buying the same biscuit again?

The recipe and product information can change. Albert Heijn therefore advises checking the packaging. When you buy it again, check the sugars per 100 g, ingredients, sweeteners and allergens.