Who is this choice relevant to?

Parents looking to hand out a small biscuit

You’re looking for a familiar treat that’s easy to give to each child. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping treat portions small; it’s also worth asking about the school’s rules.

Parents taking allergy requirements into account

You want to know whether your chosen spritz biscuit meets the class requirements. Discuss what’s needed with the teacher and check the allergen information on the packaging. The Dutch Food Allergy Foundation stresses the importance of coordinating with the school.

Parents who see ‘digestive’ on a label

You don’t want to mistake the name for nutritional information. Compare the fibre, sugar and ingredients in the biscuits you’re considering, rather than assuming the name indicates a health benefit.

What should you consider when choosing?

First, ask about the school’s treat policy and the rules for the class. If biscuits are allowed, you can then compare the portion size and the label for the specific version you’re considering.

Plain spritz biscuit

When: if a small biscuit is allowed and its allergen information meets the class requirements.

Keep in mind: Verkade Nobo Sprits Original contains wheat and milk and may contain nuts and sesame.

Milk chocolate spritz biscuit

When: if you specifically want to hand out this version and its ingredients are suitable for the class.

Keep in mind: Verkade’s information for Nobo Sprits Melk also lists soya in the chocolate; check the full label.

Another treat or a non-food treat

When: if biscuits aren’t suitable under the school policy or the class’s allergy requirements.

Check first: speak to the teacher in advance about what can be handed out in class.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Allergens and school rules Ask what treats are allowed in the class, and read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging you’ve chosen. If there are allergy requirements, I want to avoid giving a child an unsuitable treat. Around 42% of consumers put this first.
Small portion Check how many individual biscuits you can hand out and what portion size is stated on the label. If biscuits are allowed, I want to give each child a small biscuit that’s easy to hand out. For around 33% of consumers, portion size is the top priority.
Nutritional information Compare the fibre, sugar and ingredients per portion and per 100 g. If a biscuit is called a ‘digestive’, I want to go by its nutritional information, not an assumed health benefit. This is the main consideration for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming all spritz biscuits contain the same allergens

    Ingredients can vary between versions. The product information for Verkade Nobo Sprits Original lists wheat and milk, and says it may contain nuts and sesame. Nobo Sprits Melk also lists soya in its ingredients.

    Read the current label for the exact version you plan to hand out, and check your choice with the teacher in advance.

  • Taking ‘digestive’ as a promise about digestion

    A biscuit’s name doesn’t tell you its nutritional value. Verkade lists 0,2 g of fibre per biscuit for Nobo Sprits Original.

    Compare the nutritional information per portion and per 100 g for the products you’re considering.

  • Buying biscuits before checking the school’s treat policy

    According to the Association for Public Education, schools can set rules about what pupils are allowed to hand out. This means biscuits may not be suitable at every school.

    Before you buy anything, ask the teacher what rules apply to the class.

  • Treating an online product page as the definitive label

    The allergen information must match the packaging of the product you’re actually handing out. Even products with similar names can have different ingredients and warnings.

    Use a product page to compare options in advance, then check the packaging again when you’re preparing the treats.

Brands compared

Compare the ingredients, allergens, nutritional information and packaging for each version. A brand name alone won’t tell you whether a spritz biscuit meets the class requirements.

Verkade

Nobo Sprits Original and Nobo Sprits Melk are two versions whose product information can be compared separately.

  • Verkade lists nutritional values per biscuit for these versions.
  • According to the product information, Original contains wheat and milk and may contain nuts and sesame; the milk chocolate version also lists soya.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists products including spritz biscuit sticks.

  • The product information for Jumbo Sprits Staafjes Mini lists wheat and milk, and says it may contain almonds.
  • Jumbo says this mini version is no longer available in its online range. For another version, check both its availability and its own label.

PLUS

PLUS lists several spritz biscuit products, including PLUS Spritsen and Korenlanders Spritsen.

  • The product pages provide allergen information so you can assess each version separately.
  • PLUS Spritsen lists wheat, egg and milk; Korenlanders Spritsen lists potential allergens including peanuts, nuts and sesame. Always read the label for the version you’ve chosen.

Biscotto

ALDI lists Biscotto butter spritz biscuits in plain and chocolate versions.

  • The listed versions give you a choice between plain and chocolate.
  • Before choosing a version for the class, check its ingredients and allergens on the packaging in store.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can I hand out spritz biscuits as a school treat?

Yes, if the school allows biscuits and the spritz biscuits you’ve chosen meet the requirements for ingredients and allergens. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends asking about allergies and dietary preferences in advance, and keeping treat portions small.

Do plain spritz biscuits contain gluten?

According to its product information, Verkade Nobo Sprits Original contains wheat and cereals containing gluten. Check the label for other brands and versions, as their ingredients may differ. This Verkade version also lists milk and potential allergens including nuts and sesame.

Does ‘digestive’ tell me whether a biscuit is suitable for children?

No. Don’t assume the name tells you anything about a biscuit’s nutritional value or effects. Compare the ingredients and nutritional information for the specific products; Verkade lists 0,2 g of fibre per biscuit for Nobo Sprits Original.

Which label should I check when packing the treats?

Use the label on the packaging of the product you’re actually going to hand out. You can compare product information online beforehand, but check the ingredients and allergens for your chosen version again when packing the treats.