Who should consider these trade-offs?

Shoppers comparing fat content

If low fat content is your priority, compare biscuits per 100 g first. Their small size and brand name alone tell you nothing about this figure.

Shoppers planning portions

A mini biscuit can help you decide on a portion in advance. Also compare the nutritional values per 100 g: a small portion doesn’t make a biscuit low in fat.

Shoppers checking labels

If ingredients or allergens matter to you, check the exact variant on the current packaging. A similar size or a familiar brand name is no substitute for checking.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by comparing the nutritional values per 100 g. Then use the serving information to work out how much you want to eat, and check the label on the exact variant if you have specific ingredient or allergen requirements.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this most important for?
Fat content Compare fat per 100 g; check saturated fat too if you want to take it into account. According to the European Commission, the ‘low fat’ claim for solid foods applies only to products containing no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g. If low fat content is my main priority, I want to know how much fat there is per 100 g before I consider the size. For around 50% of shoppers, fat content is the most important factor.
Serving size Check the nutritional values per 100 g and per serving, then decide how many grams or biscuits you want to eat. If I’m planning a snack in advance, I want to be able to set a portion without mistaking a mini biscuit for a low-fat one. For around 30% of shoppers, portion planning comes first.
Ingredients and allergens Check the ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging of the exact variant. If I need to avoid certain ingredients, the label on the biscuit I buy needs to give me clear information. For around 20% of shoppers, checking the label is the top priority.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming mini means low fat

    A smaller biscuit doesn’t change the fat content per 100 g. Albert Heijn lists 20 g of fat per 100 g for AH Dierenkoekjes uitdeelzakjes, while Jumbo lists 22.0 g per 100 g for Double Chocolate Mini's; both figures are above the European Commission’s limit for the ‘low fat’ claim.

    Use the size to plan a portion, but assess a low-fat claim using the nutritional values per 100 g.

  • Comparing only the stated serving size

    The serving size on a pack isn’t necessarily the amount you eat. That’s why the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing similar products per 100 g.

    Then check the value per serving and the number of grams or biscuits you want to have.

  • Relying on an old product listing

    A product page or special offer doesn’t necessarily tell you what’s available when you shop. The nutritional information also needs to match the variant you choose.

    Check the current product listing or the shop shelf, and read the packaging of the biscuits you actually buy.

  • Overlooking allergens because the biscuits are small

    A biscuit’s size tells you nothing about its ingredients or potential allergens. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre stresses the importance of checking food labels if you have a food allergy.

    Check the ingredients and allergen information again if you choose a different variant, even within the same brand.

Brands compared

Albert Heijn

AH Dierenkoekjes uitdeelzakjes are an example of biscuits sold in individual snack packs.

  • For this variant, Albert Heijn lists nutritional values per 100 g, including 20 g of fat and 2.1 g of saturated fat.
  • An individual snack pack doesn’t make this variant low in fat; also check whether this exact pack is still available.

Jumbo

Jumbo has a mini biscuit range with several own-brand variants.

  • For Jumbo Double Chocolate Mini's, Jumbo lists 22.0 g of fat per 100 g and 5.5 g per stated 25 g serving.
  • These figures apply to Double Chocolate Mini's, not every Jumbo variant. Compare the exact pack you’re planning to buy.

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus Bakeries describes Biscoff Sandwich Cookie as two biscuits with a cream filling; Biscoff sandwich varieties are also found in the mini biscuit category.

  • The product format makes this brand relevant if you’re looking for small, filled biscuits.
  • Don’t infer the fat content from the product format: check the nutritional values per 100 g on the packaging of your chosen variant.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are mini biscuits automatically low in fat?

No, their size doesn’t determine the fat content per 100 g. Check the nutrition table for the exact variant rather than judging by the size of a single biscuit.

How do I compare mini biscuits with different serving sizes?

First compare the nutritional values per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, manufacturers set their own stated serving sizes; use the serving information afterwards to work out the nutritional values for the amount you plan to eat.

When can a biscuit be labelled ‘low fat’?

According to the European Commission, the ‘low fat’ nutrition claim can only be used for a solid food if it contains no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g. The amount of fat per biscuit or per serving doesn’t replace this limit per 100 g.

What should I check if I have a food allergy?

Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the current packaging of the exact variant. Similar mini biscuits can contain different ingredients, so don’t rely on the brand, appearance or a product page you viewed earlier.