Who is this choice relevant to?

People who need a strictly sugar-free option

You’re looking for a biscuit for Sinterklaas Eve that meets the threshold for the sugar-free claim. A pack labelled ‘reduced sugar’ or ‘no added sugar’ doesn’t give you that assurance.

Fans of Sinterklaas flavours

You want a spiced biscuit for the occasion and are happy with a speculoos-style alternative, even if it isn’t a traditional spritz.

People who check ingredients

You take allergens, sweeteners used or your sensitivity to polyols into account when choosing. In that case, the ingredients list matters just as much as the sugar content.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether sugar-free is essential, or whether the shape and flavour of a spritz matter more. Then compare the nutrition information and ingredients of the biscuits that meet your needs.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters most to
Truly sugar-free Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. According to the European Commission and the annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the sugar-free claim applies to products with no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. If I only want to serve a sugar-free biscuit, the sugar content is decisive, whatever the wording on the front of the pack. This is the top priority for around 31% of consumers.
Festive flavour Decide whether a speculoos biscuit is an acceptable alternative if you’re giving up the familiar spritz shape. I want the biscuit to suit Sinterklaas Eve, even if it isn’t a spritz. Around 31% of consumers say this flavour is their main priority.
Allergens and sweeteners Check the latest allergen information and see whether the biscuit contains polyols such as maltitol. I need the ingredients to suit my guests; the sugar content alone doesn’t tell me enough. Ingredients and allergens matter most to around 23% of consumers.
Portion size and nutritional value Compare energy, fat, saturated fat, salt and fibre per 100 g, and check the portion size. I want to know what else is in a portion besides sugars before putting biscuits on the table. Around 15% of consumers focus first on portion size and overall nutritional value.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘no added sugar’ means ‘sugar-free’

    These terms don’t mean the same thing. PLUS lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Verkade Originals San Francisco 0% sugar, which is above the threshold for the sugar-free claim.

    If sugar-free is a strict requirement, always check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g in the nutrition table.

  • Looking only at sugars

    A low sugar content doesn’t tell you the whole nutritional story. Jumbo also lists 404 kcal and 20 g of fat per 100 g for Céréal Speculoos with almond pieces.

    Check the other nutritional values for your chosen biscuit too, and see how many biscuits make up a portion.

  • Checking allergens and polyols only after buying

    The Céréal speculoos variety lists almonds, eggs, milk, soya, wheat and barley, among other ingredients. Sugar-free biscuits may also contain polyols; for AH Digestive 0% sugar, Albert Heijn warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

    Before serving, read the latest ingredients, allergen information and warnings on the pack, especially if you’re catering for guests with an allergy or sensitivity.

  • Treating a standard spritz as a sugar-free option

    Verkade lists 24.2 g of sugars per 100 g for NoboSprits Original; Albert Heijn lists 28 g per 100 g for AH Spritsen. Neither is sugar-free.

    If you don’t want to give up the spritz shape, make that choice with the sugar content in mind. If sugar-free is essential, look for a different type of biscuit and check its nutrition table.

Brands to consider

Céréal

Offers biscuits labelled ‘no sugars’, including a speculoos-flavoured variety with almond pieces and a coconut variety. These are alternatives to spritz biscuits, not spritzes.

  • Jumbo lists 0.4 g of sugars per 100 g for the speculoos variety and 0 g per 100 g for the coconut variety.
  • The speculoos variety also lists 29 g of polyols per 100 g and allergens including almonds, eggs, milk, soya, wheat and barley.

Albert Heijn

The range offers a comparison between a sugar-free digestive biscuit and a standard spritz.

  • AH Digestive 0% sugar lists 0.3 g of sugars per 100 g and is described as a sugar-free biscuit on the product page.
  • AH Spritsen lists 28 g of sugars per 100 g. The digestive biscuit contains sweeteners and carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

Verkade

NoboSprits Original is a reference point for a classic spritz; Originals San Francisco 0% sugar shows why it’s important to check the nutrition table when you see a sugar claim.

  • Verkade lists 24.2 g of sugars per 100 g for NoboSprits Original, giving you a clear way to compare a standard spritz with the alternatives.
  • According to PLUS, Originals San Francisco 0% sugar contains 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g. This means it isn’t sugar-free, and it contains maltitols.

Related products on Joybuy

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Frequently asked questions

When can a biscuit be called sugar-free?

According to the European Commission and the annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the ‘sugar-free’ nutrition claim applies to products with no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g or 100 ml. For biscuits, check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g; ‘no added sugar’ is a different claim.

Is a biscuit with no added sugar also sugar-free?

No, the product may still contain sugars. For example, PLUS lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Verkade Originals San Francisco 0% sugar, which is above the threshold for the sugar-free claim.

Why do some sugar-free biscuits carry a warning about a laxative effect?

This may be due to the polyols used, such as maltitol or isomalt, which can have a laxative effect if consumed in excess. If you choose a biscuit with sweeteners, check the ingredients and warnings on the pack.