Christmas market visitors looking to cut down on sugar
You want to take a biscuit for which you can check a specific sugar comparison and the nutritional information. The canoe shape isn’t essential to you.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Fans of classic canoe biscuits
You’re specifically looking for a butter biscuit with almond paste filling. The versions mentioned from Albert Heijn and Jumbo don’t carry a lower-sugar claim.
People who want to share biscuits
Before sharing them, you want to be able to check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging you’ve bought, whether you choose canoe biscuits or another type.
What should you look for when choosing?
Classic canoe biscuit
A good fit if: the canoe shape and almond paste filling matter more to you than a proven reduction in sugar.
The trade-off: the versions mentioned from Albert Heijn and Jumbo don’t carry a comparative lower-sugar claim.
Lower-sugar syrup waffle
A good fit if: you’re happy to choose a different filled biscuit and want a specific sugar comparison.
The trade-off: AH Roomboter minder suiker stroopwafels aren’t canoe biscuits; Albert Heijn compares them with its regular butter syrup waffles.
Biscuit with no added sugars
A good fit if: ‘no added sugars’ is a requirement for you and you’re not looking for a canoe biscuit with almond paste filling.
The trade-off: Verkade San Francisco Zero is a biscuit; ‘no added sugars’ doesn’t prove that it has a reduced sugar content.
| What matters | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Proven lower sugar content | Compare the sugar content with that of a similar biscuit and check the energy content. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, ‘reduced sugar’ requires at least 30% less sugar. | I want a biscuit for the Christmas market with a clear sugar comparison, even if it isn’t a canoe biscuit. Around 50% of consumers prioritise a proven reduction in sugar. |
| Canoe biscuit with almond paste filling | Check the product description and compare the sugars per 100 g; if you’re sharing them, also consider the portion size. | The canoe shape and almond paste filling are part of the biscuit I want to share; a syrup waffle isn’t a substitute. Around 30% of consumers give the classic canoe biscuit top priority. |
| Allergens when sharing | Read the allergen information on the packaging you’ve bought, including any warnings about traces. | When I share biscuits, I want to know which ingredients and allergens are relevant to my guests. Around 20% of consumers prioritise checking allergens. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a regular canoe biscuit is a lower-sugar product
A product name or its place on the shelf doesn’t tell you whether it has a comparative sugar claim. Albert Heijn lists 39 g of sugars per 100 g for AH Roomboter kano’s, while Jumbo lists 36,8 g per 100 g for Kano’s met Roomboter.
Check the specific product for the claim and the product it’s compared with. Also read the nutritional information per 100 g.
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Taking ‘no added sugars’ to mean ‘less sugar’
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘no added sugars’ refers to what hasn’t been added. A reduced-sugar claim compares the finished product with a similar food.
Decide which of these two claims matters to you, then check the relevant wording on the packaging.
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Not checking the packaging before sharing
The canoe biscuits mentioned from Albert Heijn and Jumbo list several allergens. Albert Heijn also notes that ingredients and allergen information may change.
Keep the packaging handy when serving the biscuits so your guests can read the latest ingredients and allergen information.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists both regular butter canoe biscuits and a separate butter syrup waffle with a lower-sugar claim.
- For AH Roomboter kano’s, Albert Heijn lists 39 g of sugars per 100 g, along with product information about ingredients and allergens.
- The 32% less sugar claim applies to AH Roomboter minder suiker stroopwafels compared with AH Roomboter stroopwafels, not to the canoe biscuits.
Jumbo
Jumbo describes Kano’s met Roomboter as butter biscuits with almond paste filling.
- Jumbo lists 36,8 g of sugars per 100 g for these canoe biscuits, as well as information about ingredients and allergens.
- Don’t treat these canoe biscuits as a lower-sugar product because of a separate ‘Sugar-conscious’ category; always check claims on the specific product.
Verkade
Verkade San Francisco Zero is a biscuit for anyone considering a different type of biscuit from a canoe.
- Verkade describes San Francisco Zero as having no added sugars and lists 1,7 g of sugars per 100 g.
- It isn’t a filled canoe biscuit; the product contains ingredients including maltitol, wheat, milk and soya. The ‘no added sugars’ wording doesn’t prove that it has a reduced sugar content compared with a canoe biscuit.
Products on Joybuy
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
When can a biscuit make a substantiated lower-sugar claim?
For a ‘reduced sugar’ claim, the biscuit must contain at least 30% less sugar than a similar product, according to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority. Its energy content must not be higher either. Check which product it’s compared with and read the nutritional information for the biscuit you’re buying.
Are regular canoe biscuits from Albert Heijn and Jumbo a lower-sugar choice?
Not if you require a comparative lower-sugar claim: the regular canoe biscuits mentioned don’t carry one. Albert Heijn lists 39 g of sugars per 100 g for AH Roomboter kano’s, while Jumbo lists 36,8 g per 100 g for Kano’s met Roomboter.
Does ‘no added sugars’ mean the same as ‘less sugar’?
No, they’re different claims. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘no added sugars’ means that sugars and ingredients used for their sweetening properties haven’t been added to the product. ‘Reduced sugar’ requires a comparison with a similar product. Verkade San Francisco Zero is also a biscuit, not a canoe.
Which allergens should I check before sharing canoe biscuits?
Always check the allergen information on the packaging you’re actually sharing. The canoe biscuits mentioned from Albert Heijn and Jumbo list ingredients including wheat or gluten, milk, egg, soya and almond or other nuts; also look for any warnings about traces.
How should I store canoe biscuits for a Christmas market?
Follow the storage and use-by information on the packaging you’ve bought. Albert Heijn and Jumbo advise storing their canoe biscuits in a cool, dry, dark place; Albert Heijn recommends putting them in a sealed tin after opening.