For a large household, first compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g, then check whether the pack size suits your family’s eating habits. A claim such as ‘no added sugars’ does not mean the product contains no sugars; also check the sweeteners, allergens and any warnings on the packaging.
If lower sugar is your main priority, the figure per 100 g is more useful than a word such as ‘zero’ on the front of the pack. Albert Heijn lists 0 g sugars per 100 g for Céréal Chocolate chip cookie; Jumbo lists 22.7 g per 100 g for its Less Sugar breakfast cake.
When buying biscuits for several occasions, pack size, the number of biscuits or slices, and storage instructions all matter. Albert Heijn lists AH Digestive 0% sugar in a 400 g pack; Jumbo lists Peijnenburg breakfast cake with no added sugars as containing 16 slices.
If sweeteners or allergens are a concern in your household, the ingredients list is a good place to start. The products mentioned differ in their listed ingredients, including wheat, other potential allergens and polyols.
First decide what sugar content per 100 g suits your shopping needs. Then consider whether the type of biscuit, pack size and ingredients work for your household.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Sugars per 100 g | Read ‘of which sugars’ in the nutrition table; for products labelled ‘less sugar’, also check which product is used for comparison. | If my main aim is to serve less sugar, I want to compare the figures on similar packs side by side. For around 36% of consumers, sugar content is the main criterion. |
| Pack size and storage | Check the weight, number of biscuits or slices, and storage instructions after opening. | When we have biscuits at home on several occasions, I want to know whether one pack will last long enough without the contents becoming unsuitable to store. Pack size and keeping a practical supply are priorities for around 29% of consumers. |
| Type of biscuit and portion | Choose between, for example, a plain biscuit, chocolate biscuit or sliced breakfast cake; also compare the number of biscuits or slices per pack. | If family members take something from the pack at different times, I want a type of biscuit that suits the occasion. Around 21% of consumers prioritise this kind of practical suitability. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the allergens, sweeteners used and any warnings on the current packaging. | If an ingredient is unsuitable for someone at home, I need to know before buying a family-sized pack. Checking the ingredients is the main concern for around 14% of consumers. |
Jumbo’s claim for its Less Sugar breakfast cake compares the product with Jumbo plain breakfast cake bars. According to Jumbo, this variety contains at least 30% less sugar than those bars, but still has 22.7 g sugars per 100 g.
Always check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g alongside the claim, and see which product is used for comparison.
Several of the biscuit products mentioned contain polyols. Product pages from retailers including Albert Heijn and Jumbo include a warning for certain varieties that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Check the ingredients, the amount of polyols listed and the warning on the pack before buying a larger supply.
Albert Heijn lists Céréal Chocolate chip cookie as a 130 g pack containing 12 biscuits. Whether that is enough depends on how many family members will eat them and how many occasions you are buying for.
Compare the pack size with how you plan to use it, not just the sugar figure per 100 g.
Albert Heijn lists Lotus Biscoff Original as containing 38 g sugars per 100 g. That means it may not be the obvious choice if lower sugar is your main priority.
Even when choosing a familiar type of biscuit, check the sugar figure on the label.
Always compare the specific variety from each brand: a different type of biscuit may have different nutritional values, ingredients and warnings.
AH Digestive 0% sugar is a plain biscuit in a 400 g pack.
Chocolate chip cookie without sugars is a chocolate biscuit in a 130 g pack.
San Francisco zero is a plain biscuit labelled ‘no added sugar’.
Plain breakfast cake with no added sugars is sold pre-sliced in a pack of 16 slices.
Original Speculoos is a traditional speculoos biscuit for anyone considering this type of biscuit.
These oat biscuits are an option to consider if you’re looking for biscuits to enjoy on several occasions. Check the nutritional information and decide whether a 216 g pack is enough for your household.
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If you’re looking for oat biscuits to share, the 216 g pack gives you a useful size to compare. Don’t base your choice solely on the sugar claim in the product name: read ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and check the ingredients and allergens on the current packaging.
No, the product may still contain sugars. Jumbo lists 4.9 g sugars per 100 g for Peijnenburg plain breakfast cake with no added sugars, so always check the nutrition table.
First compare similar products per 100 g, then check the pack size and the number of biscuits or slices. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing per 100 g, as manufacturers decide on portion sizes themselves.
For several products mentioned that contain sweeteners or polyols, the product information warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Read the ingredients and instructions on the packaging, especially if several family members will be sharing the same pack.
No, the claim alone does not tell you how much sugar the product contains. Jumbo compares its Less Sugar breakfast cake with Jumbo plain breakfast cake bars and lists 22.7 g sugars per 100 g for this variety. Check both that figure and the product used for comparison.
It varies by variety. Albert Heijn’s product information lists wheat for AH Digestive 0% sugar; wheat and oats are listed for Céréal Chocolate chip cookie, which may also contain milk, eggs, nuts, soya and sesame, among other allergens. Before buying, check the current packaging of the product you have chosen.
