Who is this choice relevant to?

Organisers focused on reducing sugar

If you’re looking for a buffet option with a low stated sugar content and want to compare nutritional information per 100 g, rather than relying on terms such as ‘zero’ or ‘sugar-free’.

Buffet planners who want to display ingredient information clearly

If you want guests at a self-service buffet to be able to see which allergens and sweeteners each biscuit contains, including any warning about polyols.

Planners of a traditional coffee break

If you’d like to offer a familiar biscuit in easy-to-manage portions alongside an option with a low stated sugar content.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the nutritional information and ingredients for the exact variant. Then decide how you’ll present the biscuits, portions and product information at the buffet.

What to check What to look for when buying Who it matters most to
Stated sugar content Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and check exactly what claim appears on the pack. If you’re looking for a buffet option with as little stated sugar as possible, compare the total sugar content rather than relying on ‘zero’. This is the top priority for around 31% of consumers.
Polyols Read the ingredients and include any warning about excessive consumption in the buffet information. At a self-service buffet, I want to be able to see whether a biscuit contains polyols before taking more than one. Clarity on this is also the top priority for around 31% of consumers.
Allergens and dietary requirements Check the allergen and dietary information for each variant, and keep it beside the correct platter. When guests are serving themselves, I don’t want them to have to guess what other ingredients a product contains based on claims such as ‘vegan’ or ‘lactose-free’. For around 23% of consumers, this clarity matters most.
Serving style and quantity Compare the pack size and number of biscuits or portions with how many you want to offer. If you want to serve a familiar biscuit with coffee, you’ll also need to estimate how many will be on the table. Around 15% of consumers prioritise this practical buffet consideration.

Pitfalls when putting together the buffet

  • Taking the wording on the front as the full nutritional picture

    ‘No added sugar’ doesn’t mean a biscuit contains no sugars. Albert Heijn lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Verkade San Francisco zero, despite the ‘0% added sugar’ claim.

    Check the ‘of which sugars’ line, nutritional values and serving size on the pack of the exact variant.

  • Serving biscuits containing polyols without any explanation

    The Céréal, Verkade and AH variants reviewed include a warning in their product information about a possible laxative effect if consumed in excess.

    Keep the packaging available and include the sweeteners present and the warning on the card beside the platter.

  • Confusing vegan or lactose-free with allergen-free

    AH Digestive 0% sugar is labelled vegan and lactose-free, but contains wheat and may contain barley, oats and rye. A dietary claim is no substitute for full allergen information.

    Check each variant separately and make sure the information stays with the right biscuits when you top up the platters.

  • Looking only at the pack size

    Pack weight and the number of biscuits or portions don’t tell you the same thing about how much you can serve. For example, Albert Heijn lists 400 g and 27 portions for AH Digestive 0% sugar, compared with 267 g and around 31 portions for Verkade San Francisco zero.

    Decide how many biscuits you want to offer, then compare both the pack size and the stated number of biscuits or portions.

Brands and product ranges to consider

Albert Heijn

AH Digestive 0% sugar is a specific biscuit variant to compare if both stated sugar content and dietary claims matter to you.

  • Albert Heijn lists 0.3 g of sugars per 100 g, 400 g per pack and 27 portions for this variant. The product is labelled vegan and lactose-free.
  • The biscuit contains wheat, may contain barley, oats and rye, and contains maltitols and isomalt. The pack warns of a laxative effect if consumed in excess.

Céréal

Céréal Speculoos almond pieces, sugar-free, is a biscuit variant you could consider as a clearly labelled option on the buffet.

  • Albert Heijn lists 0.4 g of sugars per 100 g and 10 biscuits per pack for this variant.
  • The product information also lists 29 g of polyols per 100 g, wheat, almond, milk, egg and soya, as well as a warning about a laxative effect if consumed in excess.

Verkade

San Francisco zero is a tea biscuit for anyone who wants to offer a familiar biscuit with coffee.

  • Albert Heijn lists ‘0% added sugar’, 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g and around 31 portions per pack for this variant.
  • The product information lists cereals containing gluten, milk, soya and maltitols, with a warning about a laxative effect if consumed in excess.

Biscuits on Joybuy

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘no added sugar’ mean a biscuit contains no sugars?

No. Albert Heijn lists both ‘0% added sugar’ and naturally occurring sugars for Verkade San Francisco zero: 1.7 g per 100 g. So make sure you also check ‘of which sugars’ in the nutritional information.

When must allergen information be available for unpackaged buffet biscuits?

When a business, caterer or other professional food provider offers unpackaged biscuits to consumers, information about any allergens present must be available. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that this can be provided in writing or verbally, as long as there is a visible notice telling guests they can ask for the information.

Can I serve biscuits containing maltitol without further information?

Include the product warning in the buffet information. The Céréal, Verkade and AH variants reviewed state that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Keep the ingredients information for the exact variant available too.

How should I store the biscuits until they’re ready to serve?

Follow the storage instructions on the pack of the exact variant. You can top up small platters gradually, so you don’t have to open all the packs at once.