Who might find this choice relevant?

Gift-givers keeping an eye on sugars

You’re looking for a little chocolate biscuit treat and want to compare the amount of sugars on the label, without thinking of the biscuit as a health food.

Gift-givers with a clear flavour preference in mind

You know whether the recipient prefers dark or milk chocolate and want to weigh that preference against the differences in nutritional information.

Gift-givers who check ingredients

You’re buying for someone who wants to avoid certain ingredients or sweeteners. In that case, the current ingredients list and allergen information matter more than a claim on the front of the pack alone.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the product category: a biscuit with no added sugars isn’t automatically a chocolate biscuit. Compare the nutritional information within the right category, then check that the flavour and ingredients suit the recipient.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Amount of sugars Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and check the serving size on the packaging. If I’m specifically looking for less sugar, the figure on the label gives me a clearer guide than a claim on the front of the pack. Around 45% of consumers put the amount of sugars first.
Chocolate flavour Check that it really is a chocolate biscuit and whether the recipient prefers dark or milk chocolate. For a treat, I mainly want to give something the recipient will enjoy eating. Chocolate flavour comes first for around 33% of consumers.
Ingredients Read the current ingredients list and allergen information; check for polyols too. If I’m buying for someone who needs to avoid certain ingredients or would rather not have polyols, I want to be able to check the label first. This is the top priority for around 22% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Focusing only on ‘less sugar’

    A claim on the front of the pack doesn’t tell you what the biscuit’s full nutritional profile looks like.

    Alongside sugars, check the serving size, energy and ingredients in the nutritional information.

  • Overlooking polyols

    Céréal lists 24 g of polyols per 100 g for both Choco Delight Dark and Milk Chocolate. According to the Voedingscentrum, high intakes of polyols can cause digestive discomfort; sensitivity varies from person to person.

    Check the packaging if the recipient wants to avoid polyols, and don’t choose based on the amount of sugars alone.

  • Mistaking a biscuit for a chocolate biscuit

    Verkade describes San Francisco Zero as a biscuit with no added sugars, not as a chocolate biscuit. So it won’t automatically meet a request for chocolate.

    First decide whether chocolate is essential for the treat, then compare products in the right category.

Brands to consider

Céréal

Choco Delight is available in dark chocolate and milk chocolate varieties.

  • Céréal lists 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g for Dark and 4.6 g per 100 g for Milk Chocolate.
  • The manufacturer also lists 24 g of polyols per 100 g for both varieties. Check the current ingredients and allergen information before buying.

Verkade

San Francisco Zero is a biscuit to consider if you’re looking for a ‘no added sugars’ claim.

  • Verkade describes San Francisco Zero as a biscuit with no added sugars.
  • It isn’t described as a chocolate biscuit, so it’s not a direct alternative if you’re looking for chocolate.

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus Speculoos with chocolate is an option to consider if you’re specifically looking for chocolate speculoos.

  • This is speculoos with chocolate, rather than a biscuit chosen solely on the basis of a sugar claim.
  • Lotus Bakeries Nederland lists 39.6 g of sugars per 100 g. Compare this figure with the nutritional information for an alternative if less sugar is your main priority.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products will appear here soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘less sugar’ mean a chocolate biscuit is also lower in energy?

No, you can’t tell that from the sugar claim alone. Compare the energy, amount of sugars and serving size in the nutritional information for the products you’re considering.

Does ‘no added sugars’ mean the same as a chocolate biscuit with less sugar?

No, the phrases describe different things. Verkade calls San Francisco Zero a biscuit with no added sugars, but doesn’t describe it as a chocolate biscuit. So check the product type first, followed by the nutritional information.

What should I look for in biscuits containing polyols?

Check how many polyols the product contains if that matters to the recipient. Céréal lists 24 g per 100 g for both Choco Delight varieties. The Voedingscentrum says that high intakes of polyols can cause digestive discomfort and that sensitivity varies.

Which allergens should I check in Céréal Choco Delight Dark?

At the very least, check the current information for wheat, soya, milk and egg: these ingredients are listed in Jumbo’s product information for Céréal Choco Delight Dark. Read the full allergen warning on the packaging too before buying the biscuit for someone else.