For a children’s party, only choose a biscuit with less or no added sugar after checking the sugar content per serving, the ingredients and the allergens. Also ask about dietary requirements and party arrangements in advance: a sugar claim doesn’t tell you whether a biscuit is suitable for every child in the group.
If you’re handing out treats to several children, you need to know which ingredients they can eat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends asking about allergies and other dietary restrictions in advance; then check the label on each product you choose.
You want a biscuit for the party, but you don’t want to rely on the wording on the front of the pack alone. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per serving, and read exactly what the packaging says about sugars.
You’re looking for a set portion that’s easy to share among the children. Check the number of biscuits, the serving size and the packaging, and remember that breakfast cake and biscuits are not the same product.
First, ask which ingredients could be a problem for the group and what the party venue allows. Then compare the sugar claim and decide which type of product and portion you want to hand out.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens and dietary requirements | Ask about dietary requirements in advance. Check the pack you buy for the allergens it contains and those it may contain; also confirm what the party venue allows. | If I’m handing treats out to the whole group, I want to know before buying whether every child can eat them. For around 34% of consumers, suitability for the group is the most important factor. |
| What the sugar claim means | Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and per serving. If it says ‘less sugar’, check what the product is being compared with. | A claim about added sugar only helps me choose once I know how much sugar is in a serving too. Around 33% of consumers say this comparison is their top priority. |
| Portion size and handing out | Check the stated serving size, the number of biscuits and whether individual wrapping is needed for your occasion. | When I’m preparing treats for several children, I want to know in advance what counts as one treat. For around 20% of consumers, a portion that’s easy to share comes first. |
| Type of treat | Decide whether you want a biscuit, another type of cookie or breakfast cake; then check the ingredients and any sweetener warnings. | I want to hand out something familiar, but breakfast cake doesn’t automatically feel like a biscuit for this party. A familiar product type is the first consideration for around 13% of consumers. |
A biscuit with no added sugars can still contain sugars that occur naturally. For example, Albert Heijn lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Verkade San Francisco Zero.
As well as checking the claim, read ‘of which sugars’ in the nutrition table, both per 100 g and per serving.
A biscuit that suits your preferences around sugar may contain ingredients that are a problem for a child in the group.
Ask about dietary restrictions in advance and check the allergens and possible traces listed on every pack.
Product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo warns that some of the biscuits mentioned contain polyols, which can have a laxative effect if consumed in excess. A claim such as ‘zero’ doesn’t change that warning.
Decide on the portion size for each treat in advance and read the warning on the product you choose.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a school’s party policy may determine whether food can be handed out and what’s suitable.
Ask the school or after-school care provider about the arrangements before buying anything. If edible treats aren’t suitable, discuss a non-food alternative.
AH Digestive 0% suiker is a biscuit for anyone who wants to check the label for information about added sugars.
According to the product information at Albert Heijn, San Francisco Zero is a biscuit with no added sugars.
This brand offers several biscuits with different sugar claims; don’t treat them as if they were all the same product.
Mini Zero Ontbijtkoek is an alternative if you’d rather hand out breakfast cake than a classic biscuit.
Below are a biscuit and a breakfast cake that you could serve as treats. Breakfast cake is an alternative if you don’t need a classic biscuit; for both products, check the exact sugar claim, serving size and allergens on the packaging.
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If you want to hand out biscuits, compare the portion size with the number of children. Check the exact pack to see what the sugar claim means, how much sugar it contains per 100 g and which allergens are listed.
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Consider this breakfast cake only if this type of product suits the occasion. Check the packaging to see what the sugar claim means, and look at the sugar content per 100 g and per serving, the serving size and the allergens.
No, it may still contain sugars that occur naturally. Albert Heijn says that Verkade San Francisco Zero has no added sugars, but it does contain 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g. So check the nutrition table and ingredients list too.
Check which sweeteners are listed on the label and look out for product-specific warnings. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says children can consume sugar and sweeteners as part of a normal diet; some biscuits containing polyols also carry a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Before buying, ask which children have allergies or other dietary restrictions, then check the current packaging of the biscuit you’ve chosen. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends asking about restrictions in advance; the allergens listed vary between products in the ranges mentioned.
That depends on the venue’s arrangements. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a party policy may determine what treats can be handed out, and a birthday can also be celebrated without edible treats. Check before you buy anything.
Follow the storage advice on the packaging for the exact product. For AH Digestive 0% suiker, Albert Heijn recommends storing the biscuits in a sealed tin after opening; check the best-before information on your pack too.
