Who is this choice relevant to?

Organisers who want to serve spritz biscuits

You’re looking for a familiar spritz biscuit for the coffee break, with less sugar than a standard version. Check the sweetener and allergens in your chosen product, too.

Organisers also considering biscuits

You can choose a different shape if sugar content matters more. Compare the nutritional information and ingredients of biscuits and spritz biscuits on the same basis.

Caterers serving an open buffet

You’re serving biscuits without their packaging beside the platter. Guests must be able to check the allergen information for every option on offer.

What should you consider when choosing?

First, decide whether the biscuit for your conference coffee break needs to be a spritz. Then compare the sugars per 100 g and plan how you’ll make product information available when serving biscuits unpackaged.

Lower-sugar spritz biscuits

When to choose this: Choose this option if keeping the familiar spritz shape matters; Lisa Kookt lists 0.7 g of sugars per 100 g for its Sprits Zandkoekjes.

What to consider: This product contains maltitol, wheat, egg and milk. According to the product information, it may also contain nuts, peanuts and sesame.

A biscuit instead of a spritz

When to choose this: Consider this option if sugar content matters more than the spritz shape. PLUS lists 0 g of sugars per 100 g for Céréal Kokos zonder suikers.

What to consider: A biscuit is a different type of baked treat. According to PLUS, Céréal Kokos also contains polyols and wheat; check the information for each product individually.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Keeping the spritz shape Check the type of biscuit and compare its sugars per 100 g with those in a standard spritz biscuit. If serving a familiar spritz biscuit at the coffee break is my priority, I don’t want to switch to a different type of biscuit. For around 43% of consumers, keeping the spritz shape while reducing sugar matters most.
Reducing sugar Check the sugars per 100 g and, where listed, per portion; also check the ingredients and polyols. If sugar content is the deciding factor, I’d also consider a biscuit. Around 29% of consumers prioritise the sugar content over the spritz shape.
Serving unpackaged Keep up-to-date allergen information available for every option served, and make sure packaging and platters don’t get mixed up. At an open conference buffet, I want guests to be able to check which allergens are in their biscuit. For around 28% of consumers, clear product information at the point of serving is the priority.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a product with ‘spritsen’ in its name is a spritz biscuit

    PLUS describes Elvee Chocolade spritsen minder suiker as a chocolate product. It isn’t the same type of product as a spritz biscuit served with coffee.

    Check the product description and ingredients before adding it to your catering menu as a spritz biscuit.

  • Relying on ‘less sugar’ or ‘zero’ alone

    A claim on the packaging doesn’t tell you how much sugar a portion contains or which sweeteners and allergens are present. For example, Albert Heijn lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Verkade San Francisco Zero.

    Check the nutritional information and ingredients for the specific product, including the portion size and any polyols.

  • Throwing away the packaging before the buffet

    Biscuits can contain different allergens. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, information about 14 allergens must be available for unpackaged foods.

    Keep the product information available throughout the event and make sure guests can check the allergens in each platter.

Brands to compare

Lisa Kookt

A shortbread-style spritz biscuit for anyone who wants to keep the familiar shape and compare sugars per 100 g.

  • Lisa Kookt lists 0.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Sprits Zandkoekjes.
  • The product information lists maltitol, wheat, egg and milk, and states that it may also contain nuts, peanuts and sesame. Excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

Verkade

The range lets you compare a standard spritz biscuit with a biscuit that has a different sugar content.

  • Albert Heijn lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Verkade San Francisco Zero.
  • San Francisco Zero isn’t a spritz biscuit and contains wheat, milk and soya. Verkade lists 24.2 g of sugars per 100 g for Nobo Sprits Original.

Albert Heijn

A useful point of comparison for a standard spritz biscuit and a digestive biscuit with a different composition.

  • Albert Heijn lists 0.3 g of sugars per 100 g for AH Digestive 0% suiker.
  • The digestive biscuit isn’t a spritz and contains maltitol. Albert Heijn lists 28 g of sugars per 100 g for AH Spritsen.

Céréal

A biscuit option if a spritz shape isn’t essential.

  • PLUS lists 0 g of sugars per 100 g for Céréal Kokos zonder suikers.
  • According to PLUS, the product contains 18 g of polyols per 100 g and wheat; it may also contain other allergens. The product information warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

PLUS

A retailer where you can compare nutritional information for biscuits aimed at people watching their sugar intake.

  • PLUS product information lets you compare products including Céréal biscuits.
  • Check whether each product is a spritz biscuit, a biscuit or a chocolate product, and whether it’s available at your catering location.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘no added sugar’ mean the same as no sugars?

No. Albert Heijn lists both 0% added sugar and 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Verkade San Francisco Zero. If sugar content will determine your choice, check the ‘of which sugars’ line in the nutritional information.

What should I consider when guests help themselves to biscuits from a platter?

Keep the ingredients and allergen information for each type of biscuit easy to access, and look out for products containing polyols. Lisa Kookt warns that excessive consumption of its Sprits Zandkoekjes may have a laxative effect; the product information from PLUS for Céréal Kokos zonder suikers includes the same warning.

What allergen information is required for unpackaged biscuits in the Netherlands?

According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, information about 14 allergens must be available when you offer unpackaged food. Make sure guests can check the information for the biscuits on their platter; don’t rely on the details for a different product.

Do food safety rules also apply to ready-to-eat biscuits served at catering events?

Yes. Caterers must handle food safely, including when handling or transporting ready-to-eat food. Ondernemersplein explains that businesses should follow a food safety plan based on HACCP principles or use an approved hygiene code.