Organisers who require a ‘sugar-free’ option
You’re looking for a biscuit that is genuinely sold with this claim, not simply a smaller portion of regular speculoos. Check the nutrition information and the packaging you receive.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Caterers who need to provide allergen information
You’re serving unpackaged biscuits at a buffet or coffee station. Guests need to be able to check which allergens they contain, as advised by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority for non-prepacked food.
Organisers buying for each break
You’re working out how many biscuits you need for your guests and breaks. A pack of ten calls for different planning from a larger catering pack; the larger pack is only an alternative if sugar-free isn’t a requirement.
What should you consider when buying?
First decide whether every biscuit you serve needs to be sugar-free, or whether you’d also like to offer a regular biscuit with coffee. Then check the allergen information for each product and work out how many packs you’ll need for the breaks.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar-free claim | Check the claim and the amount of sugars per 100 g on the pack you receive. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the maximum for this claim on solid foods is 0.5 g per 100 g. | If you need to offer a sugar-free biscuit specifically, don’t rely on a small portion or a different sugar claim. This is the top priority for around 37% of consumers. |
| Allergens when serving | Check the ingredients and keep the information available wherever you serve unpackaged biscuits. For the Céréal variety, Jumbo lists wheat, barley, almonds, soya, egg and milk. | At an open coffee station, you want guests to be able to see which biscuits they may need to avoid. Around 27% of consumers say this is their top priority. |
| Portions and packs | Work out how many biscuits you need based on the number of guests and breaks. Jumbo describes the Céréal pack as 2 × 5 biscuits, 110 g in total; check the pack size when ordering. | When buying for several breaks, you want to know in advance how many packs you’ll need. Portion planning is the top priority for around 18% of consumers. |
| Offering regular biscuits alongside | Keep regular biscuits clearly separate from the sugar-free option. Lotus Bakeries states that Lotus Biscoff Original Speculoos contains 38.1 g of sugars per 100 g. | If you also want to offer a classic biscuit with coffee, make sure it can’t be mistaken for the sugar-free option. For around 18% of consumers, offering a regular alternative is their main consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Treating different sugar claims as if they mean the same thing
‘Sugar-free’, ‘no added sugars’ and ‘reduced sugar’ don’t mean the same thing. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, biscuits labelled ‘sugar-free’ must contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g.
Before ordering, make a note of the claim you need and check it on the pack you’ll be serving.
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Serving unpackaged biscuits without allergen information
According to Jumbo, Céréal Speculoos with almond pieces contains several allergens. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that the allergens present in non-prepacked food must be made clear where the product is offered.
Keep the original packaging to hand and make sure guests can check the allergen information by the plate or coffee station.
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Leaving out the information about maltitols
Jumbo lists maltitols as a sweetener in the Céréal variety. Joybuy’s product information states that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Make it clear which biscuit contains the sweetener and decide in advance how many biscuits to put out for each break.
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Assuming a small pack will cater for everyone
The Céréal pack described by Jumbo contains 2 × 5 biscuits. You may need several packs for a meeting with more guests or multiple breaks.
Work out how many biscuits you need for each break, then check the current pack size.
Brands and retailers to consider
Céréal
Céréal Speculoos with almond pieces, sugar-free, is an option when the biscuits you serve need to carry that claim.
- Jumbo describes the variety as 2 × 5 biscuits, 110 g in total, and lists maltitols as a sweetener.
- According to Jumbo, this variety contains wheat, barley, almonds, soya, egg and milk, among other ingredients; it’s therefore not suitable for every guest who needs to avoid allergens.
Lotus Biscoff
Lotus describes Original Speculoos as a regular biscuit to enjoy with coffee and also offers a 1 kg pack for catering.
- The larger pack may be useful if regular biscuits are on the menu.
- Lotus Bakeries states that Original Speculoos contains 38.1 g of sugars per 100 g, and lists wheat and soya among the ingredients. This biscuit is not a substitute for a sugar-free option.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists Céréal Speculoos with almond pieces, sugar-free, in its biscuit range.
- The product listing can help you identify the variety you’re looking for.
- Check the ingredients, nutrition information and allergens on the packaging of the batch you receive.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists both the sugar-free Céréal variety and regular Jumbo Bakkers Speculaas.
- For the Céréal variety, Jumbo lists the pack size, ingredients and allergens present.
- Don’t treat regular Bakkers Speculaas as a sugar-free product; check the claim and label for each biscuit you choose.
Related Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
When can a biscuit be labelled ‘sugar-free’?
Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the claim ‘sugar-free’ may only be used for a solid food if it contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. A smaller portion or a claim about added sugars is not a substitute.
Is Céréal sugar-free speculoos also free from allergens?
No. For Céréal Speculoos with almond pieces, sugar-free, Jumbo lists wheat, barley, almonds, soya, egg and milk, among other ingredients. Check the packaging of the batch you’re serving before giving guests information.
What allergen information should be available for unpackaged biscuits at a conference buffet?
Guests must be able to check which allergens are present where the unpackaged biscuits are offered, as advised by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority. Keep the product information available and make sure it’s clearly linked to the right biscuits.
What should I know about the maltitols in the Céréal variety?
Jumbo lists maltitols as a sweetener in the ingredients of these biscuits. Joybuy’s product information states that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect, so let guests know which biscuits contain maltitols.
Can Lotus Biscoff Original Speculoos replace the sugar-free option?
No, not if sugar-free is a requirement. Lotus Bakeries states that Original Speculoos contains 38.1 g of sugars per 100 g; under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the limit for the ‘sugar-free’ claim on solid foods is no more than 0.5 g per 100 g. At most, offer the regular biscuit as a separate, clearly labelled alternative.