Who is this choice for?

Students who need a sugar-free option

You’re looking for a biscuit that meets the threshold for a sugar-free claim. In that case, the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g matters more than a word such as ‘zero’ on the packaging.

Spritz biscuit fans keeping an eye on sugar

You’d like a familiar spritz biscuit with your tea or coffee, but need to decide whether the type of biscuit matters more than choosing a strictly sugar-free option. A coconut or speculoos biscuit is an alternative, not a sugar-free version of a spritz biscuit.

Students who share biscuits with housemates

If you share a cupboard, the ingredients and warnings on the packaging matter too. The Céréal varieties mentioned contain wheat and maltitol; check the allergens listed for each variety.

What should you consider when choosing?

First decide whether sugar-free is a must or whether you mainly want a classic spritz biscuit. Then compare the nutritional information and ingredients on the pack you’re buying.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Sugar-free claim Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g: under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, a product can contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g to qualify for a sugar-free claim. If I only want to take a sugar-free biscuit back to my room, the nutritional information needs to support that choice. Around 45% of consumers put this requirement first.
Classic spritz biscuit Check both the type of product and the sugars per 100 g; the figures listed for Verkade NoboSprits Original and AH Spritsen are above the sugar-free threshold. If you mainly want to keep the familiar spritz biscuit shape for your tea or coffee, you may decide that matters more than the sugar-free requirement. Around 33% of consumers put this preference first.
Sharing and portions Check the allergens, ingredients, portion size and any warnings about polyols on the current packaging. In a shared kitchen, I want to know whether my housemates can eat the biscuit and how much is in a portion. Around 22% of consumers put this practical check first.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘zero’ means sugar-free

    A claim about no added sugar doesn’t tell you how much sugar the finished product contains per 100 g. Albert Heijn lists both 0% added sugar and 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Verkade San Francisco Zero.

    If sugar-free is a must, check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g, not just the wording on the front of the pack.

  • Mistaking a different biscuit for a spritz

    Based on the sugar figures listed by Jumbo, the Céréal products mentioned meet the sugar-free threshold, but they aren’t shaped like classic spritz biscuits.

    Decide which requirement comes first: the spritz shape or a biscuit that can be described as sugar-free.

  • Stopping at the sugar content

    Sugar-free doesn’t tell you everything about the nutritional value or ingredients. The Céréal varieties mentioned contain wheat and maltitol, among other ingredients; the speculoos variety also carries a warning about excessive consumption.

    As well as checking ‘of which sugars’, read the portion information, allergens and usage warnings on the packaging.

Brands to consider

Céréal

A useful option if you’re happy to move away from classic spritz biscuits in favour of a sugar-free biscuit.

  • Jumbo lists 0 g of sugars per 100 g for Céréal Kokos and 0.4 g per 100 g for Céréal Speculoos met amandel.
  • These biscuits aren’t spritz biscuits. Both varieties mentioned contain wheat and maltitol; check the other allergens and the warning on the speculoos variety.

Verkade

A useful comparison if you’re weighing up a classic spritz biscuit against a product labelled as having no added sugar.

  • NoboSprits Original is a classic spritz biscuit.
  • Verkade lists 24.2 g of sugars per 100 g for NoboSprits Original. According to Albert Heijn, Verkade San Francisco Zero contains 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g, despite being labelled ‘0% added sugar’.

Albert Heijn

A useful comparison if you’re weighing up a standard butter spritz biscuit against a strictly sugar-free biscuit.

  • AH Spritsen is a butter spritz biscuit.
  • Albert Heijn lists 28 g of sugars per 100 g for AH Spritsen. The product contains milk and wheat; check the current packaging for other allergens.

Related products at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

When can a biscuit be called sugar-free?

Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, a sugar-free claim can be used if a product contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. For biscuits, check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g in the nutritional information.

Does ‘no added sugar’ mean the same as sugar-free?

No, the two claims don’t mean the same thing. Albert Heijn lists 0% added sugar for Verkade San Francisco Zero, but also 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g. That means it is above the EU threshold for a sugar-free claim.

What should I check before sharing sugar-free biscuits with housemates?

Check the allergens and ingredients on each pack before sharing a biscuit. The Céréal varieties listed by Jumbo contain wheat; the speculoos variety also lists almond, egg, milk and soya. Also check the warning about excessive consumption on that variety.