Don’t choose a chocolate biscuit based only on the sugar claim on the front of the pack: also compare the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g with a similar biscuit. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘no added sugars’ does not mean that a product contains no sugars. For festival camping, you should also consider whether the pack is practical to carry and share, as well as the ingredients and allergens in the exact biscuit you choose.
If you want a chocolate biscuit with less sugar than a similar product, check both the exact claim and the nutritional information per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘no added sugars’ and ‘sugar-free’ do not mean the same thing.
Smaller, sealed portions can be handy if you want to spread your biscuits over several occasions. For example, Lotus lists a pack containing seven portions of three chocolate speculoos biscuits; this packaging format does not mean the biscuits contain less sugar.
Before you set off, check the ingredients and allergens on the exact pack, especially if you’ll be sharing the biscuits. Lotus lists wheat, milk and soya among the allergens in its Speculoos with chocolate.
Start with the sugar claim and nutritional information for a similar chocolate biscuit. Then consider whether the pack is suitable for taking with you and whether the ingredients are right for everyone who’ll be eating them.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Less sugar | Read the exact claim and compare the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g with a similar chocolate biscuit. | If I want to eat less sugar, I want to know what the difference is compared with a regular chocolate biscuit. This comparison is the top priority for around 50% of consumers. |
| Packaging and portions | Check how many biscuits are in a sealed portion and check the best-before date on the pack you choose. | When I take biscuits to the campsite to share, I don’t want to keep opening a large pack. For around 30% of consumers, convenient portions matter most. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the allergens and sweeteners on the exact pack, including any warnings. | When I’m sharing a supply of biscuits, I want to know in advance whether everyone can eat the ones I’ve chosen. Around 20% of consumers put checking the ingredients ahead of their other preferences. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a product with no added sugars can still contain sugars. So the wording on the front of the pack doesn’t tell you how much sugar the biscuit contains per 100 g.
Check the ‘of which sugars’ value in the nutrition table and compare it with a similar chocolate biscuit.
Jumbo gives two different percentages for less sugar in its product description for Céréal Choco Delight Puur. This means you can’t use that description as the basis for one exact reduction figure.
Check the claim and what it is compared with on the current pack before letting a percentage influence your choice.
Jumbo lists maltitol and sucralose in Céréal Choco Delight Puur. A sugar claim doesn’t tell you which sweeteners have been used or what warnings appear on the pack.
Read the full ingredients list and any warnings for the variety you plan to take with you.
For someone with an allergy, choosing a biscuit can be a matter of safety. Lotus lists wheat, milk and soya for Speculoos with chocolate.
Keep the original packaging with the biscuits and check the allergens for the exact product before handing them out.
Céréal makes chocolate biscuits with sugar claims listed on retailers’ websites, including Choco Delight Puur at Jumbo and Chocolate chip cookie without sugars at Albert Heijn.
Verkade describes San Francisco Zero as a biscuit with no added sugars.
Lotus Speculoos with chocolate is a standard chocolate speculoos variety, sold in a pack of seven portions of three biscuits.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘no added sugars’ means that no sugars or products used for their sweetening power have been added. Sugars that occur naturally may still be present. So check the ‘of which sugars’ value on the label too.
Read exactly what the claim says and which similar product the biscuit is being compared with. Also compare the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g. If the percentages conflict, as they do in Jumbo’s description of Céréal Choco Delight Puur, check the current pack for an accurate comparison.
Check the best-before date, ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for the exact biscuit you’re taking with you. Also check how the portions are packaged if you plan to hand out the biscuits at different times.
The label on the pack you buy is important when making your final choice. Albert Heijn advises checking the pack before using the product, as product information can change. This is especially important if you’re checking sugar or allergens.
