Who is this choice relevant to?

Caterers looking for a ‘sugar-free’ biscuit

A smaller portion of a standard sprits biscuit won’t meet this product requirement. Check the exact claim on an alternative biscuit, and also check its sweeteners and allergens.

Organisers who want to avoid added sugar

A biscuit labelled ‘with no added sugar’ could work for a coffee break, even if it still contains sugars. Don’t describe it on the buffet as ‘sugar-free’ if that isn’t the claim on the packaging.

Caterers serving biscuits unpackaged

If you’re serving biscuits on a plate or buffet, guests need to know which allergens they contain. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority outlines the information requirements for unpackaged foods.

What should you consider when choosing?

Traditional sprits biscuit

Suitable when: you want to serve a sprits biscuit with tea or coffee and limiting sugar isn’t a requirement.

Consider: Verkade lists sugar as an ingredient and 24.2 g of sugars per 100 g for NoboSprits Original. Don’t offer this sprits biscuit as ‘sugar-free’ or ‘with no added sugar’.

Biscuit with no added sugar

Suitable when: the specific aim is to avoid added sugar and a different type of biscuit is acceptable.

Consider: Albert Heijn states that Verkade San Francisco Zero contains 0% added sugar, but also 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g. This isn’t a sprits biscuit.

Biscuit labelled ‘sugar-free’

Suitable when: you want to offer a separate biscuit option with that specific claim.

Consider: the Céréal varieties described by Jumbo aren’t sprits biscuits and contain maltitol. Their allergens vary by variety.

Decide which claim you need for the buffet before you buy. Then check how you can serve the biscuit by looking at the exact packaging.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Correct sugar claim Compare the exact wording of the claim with the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g on the packaging. If I label something ‘sugar-free’ on the buffet, I want to be able to check that the biscuit I’ve chosen carries that claim too. For around 42% of consumers, getting the sugar claim right is a priority.
Allergens when serving unpackaged Check the ingredients and allergens for each variety, and make product information available at the buffet. When serving biscuits on a shared plate, I want guests to be able to see which allergens the product contains before choosing. Around 33% of consumers give this information the highest priority.
Portion and serving Check the portion size, nutrition information per portion and any warnings about sweeteners. For a short coffee break, I want to know how many biscuits I’ll be handing out and which packaging warning is relevant. Around 25% of consumers are most concerned about practical serving arrangements.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a sprits biscuit is sugar-free

    A familiar type of biscuit doesn’t tell you how much sugar it contains. According to Verkade, NoboSprits Original contains sugar as an ingredient and 24.2 g of sugars per 100 g.

    For a sugar-conscious buffet option, use the claim on the product you’ve actually chosen, not one used for a different type of biscuit.

  • Reading ‘with no added sugar’ as ‘sugar-free’

    A product can be made without added sugar and still contain sugars. Albert Heijn states that Verkade San Francisco Zero contains 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g.

    Decide which of the two claims you need, then check both the wording on the packaging and the nutrition information.

  • Calling a sugar-conscious biscuit allergen-free too

    The Céréal biscuits described by Jumbo have different ingredients: the coconut variety contains wheat, while the speculoos and almond variety contains almonds, barley, egg, milk, soya and wheat, among other ingredients.

    Keep the allergen information for the variety you’ve chosen available when serving biscuits unpackaged. If you’re considering a separate option for guests with other allergen requirements, check its own label.

  • Overlooking a warning about maltitol

    Albert Heijn’s product information for Verkade San Francisco Zero warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

    Read the warning on the current packaging and make sure the catering team has this information before deciding how many biscuits to serve.

Brands and retailers to consider

Verkade

Verkade offers a traditional sprits biscuit with NoboSprits Original and a different type of biscuit, San Francisco Zero, labelled 0% added sugar.

  • NoboSprits Original is an option if you’re looking for a standard sprits biscuit and limiting sugar isn’t a requirement.
  • According to Verkade, NoboSprits Original contains 24.2 g of sugars per 100 g. Albert Heijn states that San Francisco Zero contains 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g, maltitol, and the allergens wheat, milk and soya.

Céréal

Jumbo describes Céréal biscuits labelled ‘sugar-free’, including coconut and speculoos and almond varieties.

  • Jumbo states that these varieties contain 0 g and 0.4 g of sugars per 100 g respectively.
  • Both varieties contain maltitol. The allergens listed vary, so check the packaging of the variety you’re buying.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn publishes product information for Verkade San Francisco Zero, including ingredients, allergens and nutritional values.

  • This product information helps you assess the difference between 0% added sugar and the sugars it contains.
  • Albert Heijn notes that product information can change. Check the physical packaging when buying.

Related products at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can I offer Verkade NoboSprits Original as ‘sugar-free’?

No. According to Verkade, this sprits biscuit contains sugar as an ingredient and 24.2 g of sugars per 100 g. For that buffet claim, choose a product whose own packaging supports it.

Does a biscuit with no added sugar contain no sugars at all?

Not necessarily. Albert Heijn states that Verkade San Francisco Zero contains 0% added sugar and 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g. Use the claim on the packaging as it appears, and also check the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutrition information.

What allergen information is needed for unpackaged biscuits?

Guests must be able to get information about allergens present in unpackaged biscuits. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority outlines the information requirements for 14 allergens in unpackaged foods. Keep information about the biscuits actually being served available at the buffet.

Does ‘sugar-free’ tell you enough about a biscuit’s nutritional value?

No. The claim relates to sugars and doesn’t describe the full nutritional value. For the variety you’ve chosen, also check the rest of the nutrition information and the portion you plan to serve.