Who might find each option suitable?

If you’re preparing biscuits for a group

A stated biscuit count can help you plan the treats. For example, ALDI lists 12 biscuits in each 175 g pack of Biscotto Roomboterspritsen; work out how many you’ll need for the children attending.

If you need to take dietary requirements into account

Ask in advance about any restrictions the children have. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists allergies and religious beliefs among the reasons to consider individual needs when choosing party treats. Then check the label on the biscuits you plan to serve.

If you’re considering digestives as an alternative

A digestive is a different type of biscuit from a spritz and comes in varieties such as plain or chocolate. Compare the ingredients and nutritional information on the specific packs; don’t assume the name ‘digestive’ means it has a particular effect.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with any dietary requirements you know about. Then choose the style of biscuit and check that the pack size suits the number of portions you want to serve.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Serving biscuits Compare the stated number of biscuits or the net weight with the number of children and your plans for the treats. If I’m preparing biscuits for a group, I want to be able to plan in advance how many I can serve. For around 33% of consumers, being able to serve them easily would be the main consideration.
Allergens and dietary requirements Read the ingredients, listed allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the current packaging. Check that the specific variety is labelled gluten-free, if needed. If a child has a known dietary restriction, I want to choose a biscuit that suits it. For around 25% of consumers, allergens and dietary requirements would come first.
Classic spritz biscuits Check whether you’re choosing plain or chocolate spritz biscuits, and whether the pack size suits the occasion. For a party platter, I want the familiar style of a spritz biscuit, rather than a digestive. Classic spritz biscuits would be the first choice for around 25% of consumers.
Ingredients and nutritional information Compare the labels on the varieties you’re considering, for example, the ingredients, fibre and sugars per 100 g and per planned portion. If I’m choosing between plain and chocolate, I want to see what’s in each variety rather than go by the name. For around 17% of consumers, comparing the labels would matter most.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming that the name ‘digestive’ means the biscuit aids digestion

    The name of the biscuit doesn’t prove that it aids digestion. For McVitie's Digestives Pure Chocolade, Jumbo states that the biscuit ingredients don’t contain substances that aid digestion.

    Choose based on the ingredients and nutritional information for the specific variety, not on an assumed effect.

  • Confusing gluten-free with free from all allergens

    A gluten-free label doesn’t automatically mean a biscuit is suitable for someone with other food allergies. For example, PLUS lists milk and soya as allergens in Schär Glutenvrije Digestive Chocolate.

    Find out which restriction is relevant, then check the other allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings for that specific variety too.

  • Relying on a product page you viewed earlier

    If you’re choosing biscuits for children with dietary requirements, the information on the packaging of the biscuits you actually serve is what matters.

    Read the label when you buy them and keep the packaging handy when you serve the biscuits.

  • Forgetting about rules for party treats

    If the party is at school or an after-school club, rules about treats may affect what you can serve. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that children shouldn’t have to miss out on a treat because of an allergy or religious belief, for example.

    Ask the parents concerned and, where relevant, the school or club in advance about any requirements and rules.

Brands to consider

Verkade

Albert Heijn lists Verkade Nobo Sprits Naturel as a classic spritz biscuit.

  • A specific option if you’re looking to serve spritz biscuits.
  • Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging before choosing this variety for children with dietary requirements.

McVitie's

Jumbo lists both Digestives Original and a dark chocolate variety.

  • Gives you the choice between a plain digestive and a chocolate variety.
  • The name ‘digestive’ doesn’t prove that the biscuit aids digestion; compare the labels for each variety.

Biscotto

ALDI lists both digestive biscuits and buttery spritz biscuits from Biscotto.

  • ALDI lists 12 biscuits in a 175 g pack of buttery spritz biscuits, which can help you plan portions.
  • The style of biscuit and pack size don’t tell you whether it’s suitable for someone with a specific allergy; check the label for that.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists its own digestive varieties, including Digestive Volkoren and Lekker Vrij van Gluten Digestives Melkchocolade.

  • The varieties offer different biscuit styles and flavours.
  • For a gluten-free variety, check the other ingredients and allergens on the specific pack too.

PLUS

PLUS lists a plain digestive biscuit and Digestive Puur Fairtrade with dark chocolate.

  • The product information describes the ingredients in specific plain and chocolate varieties.
  • Compare the current labels for each variety; don’t assume the two biscuits have the same ingredients or allergens.

Digestives at Joybuy

These biscuits suit anyone choosing a plain digestive or a chocolate digestive as an alternative to spritz biscuits. For a children’s party, check the allergens on each pack and how many biscuits you can serve.

McVitie's Digestive Original, 400 g pack

McVitie's Digestive Original 400 g

A plain digestive for anyone who’d rather serve a biscuit than a spritz.

400 g pack. Check the number of biscuits and the allergens on the pack before planning portions for the group.

View at Joybuy
McVitie's Digestives Milk Chocolate, 266 g pack

McVitie's Digestives Milk Chocolate 266 g

A digestive topped with milk chocolate for anyone who’d like a chocolate flavour on the biscuit platter.

266 g pack. Check the number of biscuits and the allergens on the pack before serving this variety.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘digestive’ mean that a biscuit aids digestion?

No, the name doesn’t mean that. For McVitie's Digestives Pure Chocolade, Jumbo states that the biscuit ingredients don’t contain substances that aid digestion. Check the information on the packaging to assess a variety.

Do allergens have to be listed on packaged biscuits?

Yes. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, prepacked foods must include clear information about ingredients and allergens. At a children’s party, keep the packaging so that the information is available alongside the biscuits you serve.

Is a gluten-free digestive suitable for every food allergy?

No, gluten-free doesn’t mean free from other allergens. For example, PLUS lists milk and soya in Schär Glutenvrije Digestive Chocolate, so check the allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings for the exact variety you plan to serve.

How should I store opened biscuits until the party?

Follow the storage instructions on the pack you’ve chosen and seal it well after opening. Before serving, check that the biscuits are still suitable to eat.