Who might find these considerations useful?

Shoppers putting sugar content first

You’re specifically looking for a chocolate biscuit with low sugar levels. Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g on different packs, then check which sweeteners have been used.

Shoppers who want to consider sweeteners too

You want less sugar, but also want to know whether the biscuit contains maltitol or other polyols. Read the ingredients list and any warning about excessive consumption before choosing.

Shoppers with allergies or intolerances to consider

For you, allergen information takes priority over comparing sugar levels. A claim such as gluten-free or lactose-free says nothing by itself about the amount of sugar, so check that separately.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by comparing the sugars per 100 g in chocolate biscuits. Then read the ingredients and allergen information, and compare the other nutritional information on the same basis.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Sugars per 100 g Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figures on packs of similar biscuits; don’t confuse ‘no added sugars’ with a claim that the product contains 0 g of sugars. If I’m looking for a chocolate biscuit with as little sugar as possible, I want to compare the figures on the label rather than rely on the front of the pack. Sugar content is the main priority for around 50% of consumers.
Sweeteners and allergens Read the ingredients, warnings and allergen information, including any possible traces, on the current pack. I want to know whether a variety contains polyols and whether the allergen information suits my needs. Tolerance and ingredients are the first considerations for around 30% of consumers.
Other nutritional information Compare energy, saturated fat, fibre and salt per 100 g too; also check what counts as a serving. There’s more to my choice than sugar alone: I also want to see the other nutritional values and the amount per biscuit. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this broader comparison.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming less sugar means the biscuit is healthier overall

    A low sugar content doesn’t tell you how much energy, fat or salt a chocolate biscuit contains. A claim of 0 g of sugars doesn’t tell you that either.

    Compare the full nutritional information per 100 g for similar biscuits. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends using this basis to compare labels.

  • Overlooking sweeteners and warnings about consumption

    The low-sugar products reviewed that contain maltitol or other polyols carry a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

    If you’re considering a variety with polyols, read the ingredients and warnings on the pack.

  • Assuming dark chocolate means less sugar

    A description of the type of chocolate doesn’t tell you how much sugar the whole biscuit contains. Jumbo lists 27.4 g of sugars per 100 g for its standard Digestive Biscuit Pure Chocolade.

    Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g with that of the chocolate variety you’re considering as an alternative.

  • Relying on a product name when checking allergens

    Chocolate biscuits may contain different allergens or carry warnings about possible traces. A previous purchase is no substitute for checking the label on the pack you’re buying now.

    Check both the ingredients and the ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements on the current pack.

Brands and products to consider

These examples show why it’s important to compare the exact product: a chocolate option, a plain biscuit and a standard chocolate biscuit don’t answer the same shopping question.

Céréal

Two chocolate varieties reviewed for shoppers mainly looking for a low stated sugar content.

  • According to Albert Heijn product information, the Chocolate Chip Cookie contains 0 g of sugars per 100 g. Jumbo lists 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g for Choco Delight Puur.
  • The varieties reviewed contain polyols. Check the warnings and allergens for each product, as one variety isn’t necessarily interchangeable with the other.

Verkade

San Francisco Zero is a plain biscuit for shoppers who don’t require chocolate.

  • Albert Heijn says this variety contains no added sugars and lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g.
  • This isn’t a chocolate biscuit. The variety reviewed contains maltitol and ingredients with gluten, milk and soya.

Jumbo

The standard own-brand Digestive Biscuit Pure Chocolade is included here as a point of comparison, not as a low-sugar chocolate option.

  • Jumbo lists 27.4 g of sugars per 100 g for this product, making it easy to compare directly with another chocolate variety.
  • The name ‘Pure Chocolade’ doesn’t mean it has a reduced sugar content; check the nutritional information for the whole biscuit.

Related Joybuy products

Related products will appear here soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘sugar-free’ mean a chocolate biscuit literally contains 0 g of sugars?

No. Under the EU condition for the ‘sugar-free’ nutrition claim in Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, a food may contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. To check the amount in a specific biscuit, look at ‘of which sugars’ in the nutritional information.

Is ‘no added sugars’ the same as ‘sugar-free’?

No. ‘No added sugars’ refers to what has been added to the product; it doesn’t mean the total sugar content is zero. The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre describes this claim separately from total sugar content, so also compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g.

What does a low sugar content tell me about the other nutritional values?

A low sugar content doesn’t tell you anything by itself about the biscuit’s other nutritional values. For similar products, also compare energy, saturated fat, fibre and salt per 100 g, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises when comparing labels.

What should I look out for if a chocolate biscuit contains maltitol?

Read the ingredients and the warning about excessive consumption on the pack. The product information reviewed for low-sugar Céréal varieties lists polyols and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

Can I check allergens using an online product page?

Use a product page to narrow down your options, but check the allergens and any possible traces on the current pack before eating the biscuit. Ingredients and statements can vary or change between product varieties.