If you want a sugar-free biscuit for a night in front of the telly, a regular spritz biscuit such as Verkade NoboSprits Original isn’t a suitable choice: Verkade lists 24.2 g of sugars per 100 g. Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the ‘sugar-free’ claim for solid foods is limited to a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. A biscuit that meets this limit isn’t necessarily a spritz biscuit, so compare the rest of the nutritional information, ingredients and allergens too.
You want a biscuit for a night in front of the telly that meets the limit for the ‘sugar-free’ claim. The ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g gives you more clarity than a claim such as ‘zero’ on the front of the pack.
You choose spritz biscuits for their familiar flavour and texture, and want to know what a particular portion means for you. A regular spritz biscuit is still a different choice from a sugar-free biscuit.
You’re considering a biscuit with sweeteners, but want to check the warnings about polyols and the allergens in that exact variety before buying.
First decide whether you need a sugar-free biscuit or would rather have a regular spritz biscuit in a portion of your choice. Then compare the nutritional information per 100 g and check the ingredients of the product you’re planning to buy.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar-free | Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g; for the ‘sugar-free’ claim, solid foods can contain no more than 0.5 g per 100 g. | If I really want a sugar-free biscuit, I need to be able to check the sugar content; ‘no added sugars’ isn’t enough. This is the top priority for around 43% of consumers. |
| Spritz biscuits and portion size | Compare sugars and saturates per 100 g, and decide how many spritz biscuits you want to serve. | I want to enjoy the flavour of spritz biscuits while watching TV, even if that means choosing a product that isn’t sugar-free. This matters most to around 29% of consumers. |
| Other nutritional information | Check energy, saturates and fibre per 100 g; also read the ingredients, warnings about polyols and allergen information. | When choosing an alternative to spritz biscuits, I don’t want to look at sugar alone; I also want to know what else is in the biscuit. Around 28% of consumers say this broader assessment is their top priority. |
A product with no added sugars may still contain sugars. Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the ‘sugar-free’ claim for solid foods is limited to a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g.
Check the ‘of which sugars’ line per 100 g on the pack, even if the front says ‘zero’.
A difference in sugar content doesn’t tell you how products compare in other respects. For example, Verkade also lists 14.81 g of saturates per 100 g for NoboSprits Original.
Compare similar biscuits per 100 g, focusing on the nutritional values that matter for your choice, then decide on your portion size.
Albert Heijn states that excessive consumption of AH Digestive 0% sugar may have a laxative effect.
Before deciding how much to serve, read the ingredients and any warning on the pack of biscuits containing sweeteners.
A biscuit’s name doesn’t tell you which ingredients or possible traces are relevant to your choice.
Check the allergen information for the exact variety and the current packaging, even if you know another product from the same brand.
Verkade offers both a classic spritz biscuit and San Francisco Zero. They’re different types of biscuit, with different claims about sugar.
Albert Heijn sells AH Digestive 0% suiker as a sugar-free biscuit with sweeteners, not as a spritz biscuit.
The Céréal coconut and speculoos varieties reviewed are biscuits without sugar in their product names; neither is a spritz biscuit.
If you’d rather have a rye cracker than a spritz biscuit or sweet biscuit for a night in front of the telly, you could consider this product. The product name alone doesn’t tell you its sugar content.
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This rye cracker is a good option for a night in front of the telly if you’d rather have a cracker than a spritz biscuit or biscuit.
Pack size: 235 g. Check the current nutritional information and allergen details on the pack if they’re important to your choice.
No. Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the ‘sugar-free’ claim can only be used for solid foods containing no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. ‘No added sugars’ doesn’t rule out naturally occurring sugars, so check the nutritional information for the exact biscuit.
No. A lower sugar content alone doesn’t determine which snack is right for you. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing similar products per 100 g; look at the nutritional values and ingredients that matter for your choice.
The warning relates to excessive consumption of products containing certain sweeteners. For example, Albert Heijn includes it on AH Digestive 0% suiker. Read the ingredients list and warning on the biscuit you’re buying.
No. Ingredients vary between products and varieties. Always check the allergen information and any statement about possible traces on the packaging, rather than relying on the sugar claim.
