When stocking up on biscuits, first decide which sugar claim suits your needs: ‘less sugar’, ‘no added sugar’ and ‘sugar-free’ do not mean the same thing. Then compare like-for-like biscuits by sugars per 100 g, pack size and storage instructions. Before buying several packs, check the allergens and any warnings about polyols too.
You want to keep biscuits at home and compare the sugars per 100 g, rather than relying solely on the claim on the front of the pack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises comparing labels per 100 g and points out that ‘no added sugar’ is not the same as sugar-free.
You’re looking for a suitable pack size and want to know how many biscuits or portions you’ll have at home. Check the storage instructions and the date on each pack before buying a larger quantity.
You want to check which sweeteners and allergens a biscuit contains before buying it. This is particularly important if not every product is suitable for everyone in your household.
First decide what you want the sugar claim to mean for your choice. Then compare the nutritional information for like-for-like biscuits and check that you can store your chosen pack as instructed.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar claim and sugar content | Check what ‘less sugar’ is being compared with and look at ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g for like-for-like biscuits. | If I’m buying biscuits for later, I want to know whether their sugar content suits my needs. For around 42% of consumers, this is the top priority. |
| Packaging and storage | Check the pack contents, number of biscuits or portions, and storage instructions, including what to do after opening. | If I’m buying a larger quantity, I want to use the packs while keeping the biscuits in good condition. Practicality matters most to around 33% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients list, allergen information and any warnings about polyols for the exact variant. | If I need to take ingredients or allergens into account, I want to know which variant is suitable before stocking up. Around 25% of consumers give this check top priority. |
A relative reduction does not tell you how much sugar a biscuit contains in the end. Jumbo says Sultana FruitBiscuits Strawberry Apple has at least 30% less sugar than Fruitbiscuit, but it also contains 22.7 g of sugars per 100 g.
Compare the sugars per 100 g with those in a like-for-like biscuit, and treat the claim as additional information.
The variants described have different ingredients and allergens. Albert Heijn’s product information warns that the AH, Verkade and Céréal biscuits containing polyols may have a laxative effect if consumed in excess.
Before buying several packs, check the ingredients, allergens and warnings for each variant you’ve chosen.
AH Digestive 0% Sugar is a biscuit with sweeteners in a 400 g pack, making it worth considering if you’re looking for a larger pack.
San Francisco Zero is a thin tea biscuit in a 267 g pack, described as a biscuit with 0% added sugar.
The Speculoos variant with almond pieces contains 10 biscuits per pack, making it a smaller option to keep in stock.
FruitBiscuits Strawberry Apple is another option: it has less sugar than Fruitbiscuit, but it is not sugar-free.
No, the claim compares the product with a reference and does not, on its own, tell you how much sugar it contains. Jumbo says Sultana FruitBiscuits Strawberry Apple has at least 30% less sugar than Fruitbiscuit, while listing 22.7 g of sugars per 100 g. So check the nutritional information per 100 g too.
No, a biscuit with no added sugar can still contain sugars. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains this distinction on food labels; Albert Heijn lists both 0% added sugar and 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Verkade San Francisco Zero.
Follow the instructions on each product’s packaging and check the best-before date before stocking up. For AH Digestive 0% Sugar, Albert Heijn says to store it in a cool, dark and dry place and to use a sealed tin after opening. The Verkade and Sultana packs described say to store in a cool, dry place.
The AH, Verkade and Céréal variants described contain polyols or maltitols, and their product information warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Before buying a larger quantity, read the warning and ingredients list for the exact variant; these do not establish a personal amount that is suitable for everyone.
