For a specifically sugar-free spritz biscuit this Mother’s Day, choose Damhert Zonder Suikers Sprits Naturel: Damhert states that it contains 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g, the limit for the ‘sugar-free’ claim under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. ‘Less sugar’ and ‘no added sugars’ don’t automatically mean the same thing, so compare total sugar content, ingredients and allergens. If you’re after that familiar spritz flavour and a sugar-free biscuit isn’t essential, a regular spritz biscuit is another option to enjoy with coffee or tea.
You’re looking for a spritz biscuit for Mother’s Day that genuinely meets the threshold for the ‘sugar-free’ claim. Check the sugars per 100 g: words such as ‘zero’, ‘less sugar’ and ‘no added sugars’ don’t, on their own, tell you whether it meets the requirement.
You want to choose a biscuit with its sugar content in mind, but it doesn’t have to be strictly sugar-free or specifically a spritz biscuit. Verkade San Francisco Zero, for example, is a biscuit with no added sugars, not a spritz biscuit; PLUS lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g.
You’d like to serve a traditional spritz biscuit and don’t have a strict sugar limit in mind. Compare the flavour, portion size, nutritional information and allergens of the products you’re considering.
When choosing a Mother’s Day treat, first decide whether sugar-free is essential, or whether less sugar or a classic spritz biscuit matters more. The wording on the front of the pack is no substitute for checking the nutritional information.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Strictly sugar-free | Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g, then read the ingredients and allergen information. For a solid spritz biscuit, the ‘sugar-free’ claim is limited to a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. | If I want to give someone a sugar-free spritz biscuit, the nutritional information needs to support that requirement; a different sugar claim isn’t enough. Around 50% of consumers make this strict requirement their priority. |
| Less sugar | Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g, even if the packaging says ‘less sugar’ or ‘no added sugars’. Check whether the biscuit you’ve chosen is actually a spritz biscuit. | I want to keep sugar in mind when choosing, but a strictly sugar-free spritz biscuit isn’t essential. For around 30% of consumers, the preference for less sugar comes first. |
| Classic spritz biscuit | Check the variety, portion size, sugars per 100 g and allergens. Jumbo lists 24.2 g of sugars per 100 g for Verkade Nobo Sprits Naturel; Albert Heijn lists 28 g per 100 g for AH Spritsen. | I mainly want to serve a familiar spritz biscuit with coffee and don’t have a strict sugar limit. The traditional option is the main consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
A relative reduction doesn’t tell you how much sugar a product contains overall. PLUS says the chocolate in Elvee Chocolade spritsen contains 30% less sugar, but also lists 28 g of sugars per 100 g for the product.
If sugar-free is essential, check the total amount of sugars per 100 g against the limit in Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
According to the manufacturer, Damhert Zonder Suikers Sprits Naturel contains maltitol and 16 g of polyols per 100 g. Damhert warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that large quantities of polyols can cause intestinal discomfort.
As well as checking the sugar content, read the ingredients list and any warnings on the packaging.
Sugar content is just one part of a biscuit’s nutritional value. A sugar-free claim doesn’t tell you how the rest of your Mother’s Day breakfast is made up.
If they’re relevant to your choice, also compare portion size and nutritional information, including energy, fat and fibre.
On the product page consulted, PLUS said Elvee Chocolade spritsen wasn’t available at the selected shop. This doesn’t tell you whether it’s available at another shop or at a later date.
Check availability at your chosen shop before you finish your Mother’s Day shopping.
Damhert is worth considering if you’re specifically looking for a sugar-free spritz biscuit: the manufacturer lists 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g for its 130 g pack of Zonder Suikers Sprits Naturel.
Verkade Nobo Sprits Naturel is a regular spritz biscuit. Verkade San Francisco Zero is a biscuit with no added sugars, so it’s a different type of biscuit.
Elvee Chocolade spritsen are worth considering if you’re thinking of a chocolate variety and a sugar-free option isn’t essential.
AH Spritsen are a useful reference if you’re looking for a regular spritz biscuit to enjoy with coffee or tea, without needing it to be sugar-free.
Jumbo provides product information for Verkade Nobo Sprits Naturel, a regular spritz biscuit you can compare with sugar-free varieties.
No. Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, a solid food can contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g to use the ‘sugar-free’ claim. A biscuit with no added sugars can still contain sugars: PLUS lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Verkade San Francisco Zero. So check ‘of which sugars’ in the nutritional information.
Damhert lists wheat, egg and milk as allergens present in the product and states that it may contain rye, nuts and peanuts. Always check the label on the pack you’re buying.
Damhert warns that excessive consumption of Zonder Suikers Sprits Naturel may have a laxative effect. The manufacturer lists maltitol and 16 g of polyols per 100 g; according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, large quantities of polyols can cause intestinal discomfort.
Not necessarily: the sugar content alone doesn’t tell you the full nutritional value of a biscuit or what the breakfast as a whole contains. So also compare portion sizes and the other nutritional information for the products you plan to serve.
That depends on the shop you’ve selected and when you check. The PLUS product page consulted said Elvee Chocolade spritsen wasn’t available at the selected shop; check availability again before you buy.
