Who is this choice relevant to?

Travellers with hand luggage only

You’re looking for a dry biscuit to take with you and want to know whether anything you pack alongside it counts as a liquid under Schiphol’s rules.

People comparing nutritional information

You want to compare spritz biscuits and digestives by their ingredients, fibre, sugars and saturated fat, rather than judging them by the biscuit’s name alone.

Travellers who need to check allergens

Before buying, you check the exact variety and any warnings about traces. The spritz biscuits and digestives reviewed contain wheat; some varieties also contain milk or egg.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you’re after a classic spritz biscuit or want to compare the ingredients and nutritional values of digestives. Then check the packaging you’ll actually be taking with you.

Plain digestive

Choose this when: You want to compare the ingredients and nutritional values of digestives with those of spritz biscuits. PLUS describes its Digestive biscuit as vegan and lists 3.3 g of fibre and 1.8 g of saturated fat per 100 g.

Keep in mind: This information applies to the PLUS variety, not all digestives. This variety contains wheat, so check the rest of the nutritional information too.

Plain spritz biscuit

Choose this when: You’re specifically after a crumbly spritz biscuit, perhaps to enjoy with coffee or tea. Verkade describes its Nobo Sprits Original as a crumbly variety.

Keep in mind: This Verkade variety contains wheat and milk ingredients. Verkade’s nutritional information lists 14.81 g of saturated fat per 100 g.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Hand luggage Choose a dry biscuit and separately check whether a spreadable topping meets Schiphol’s rules. If I want to take my snack through security, I don’t want to mistake solid food for a spread. Around 31% of consumers prioritise convenience when travelling with hand luggage.
Nutritional information Compare fibre, sugars, salt and saturated fat per 100 g; also consider the portion you plan to eat. If you’re choosing between a spritz biscuit and a digestive based on nutritional values, the label is more useful than the product name. For around 31% of consumers, this comparison is the top priority.
Allergens and dietary needs Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging, including any relevant warnings about traces. If you need to avoid something such as wheat or milk, the exact variety must be suitable. A vegan label doesn’t answer every question about allergens. Around 23% of consumers put allergens or dietary suitability first.
Taste and sharing Choose the variety and pack size to suit the number of snack breaks and the people you want to share with. If you want a biscuit with your coffee or a pack to share, you may prefer a spritz biscuit. That’s the main consideration for around 15% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Taking the word ‘digestive’ at face value

    The name doesn’t tell you how much fibre, sugar, salt or saturated fat the variety you’ve chosen contains. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against relying on packaging claims alone.

    Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and consider the portion you plan to eat.

  • Treating a spreadable topping like a biscuit

    According to Schiphol, liquid and spreadable foods are covered by the liquids rules, unlike dry, solid biscuits.

    Check the current hand-luggage rules if you want to take something like a dip or peanut butter with you.

  • Skipping the allergen label

    The varieties reviewed contain wheat; some spritz biscuits also contain milk or egg. If you have a relevant allergy, warnings about traces may matter too.

    Read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you’re buying, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre also advises.

  • Choosing a sharing pack for a single snack break

    A larger pack also means taking more biscuits than you need for one snack break.

    Choose a pack size to suit your trip and the number of people you want to share with.

Brands compared

These examples can help you compare specific varieties. Their features don’t automatically apply to every biscuit from the same brand.

Verkade

Verkade’s range includes Nobo Sprits Original and Nobo Sprits Melk.

  • Verkade describes Nobo Sprits Original as a crumbly spritz biscuit; its nutritional information lists 1.1 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • Nobo Sprits Original contains wheat and milk ingredients. The milk chocolate variety is a different option and should be assessed using its own label.

McVitie's

McVitie's Digestives Original is a traditional digestive to compare with other biscuits.

  • Albert Heijn lists 3.7 g of fibre per 100 g for Digestives Original.
  • The same product information lists 10 g of saturated fat per 100 g and wheat as an ingredient. Check the allergen information on the pack too.

Albert Heijn

At Albert Heijn, you can compare the product information for AH Digestive and AH Roomboter ronde spritsen.

  • Albert Heijn describes AH Digestive as vegan and lactose-free, although the ingredients include wheat.
  • According to Albert Heijn, AH Roomboter ronde spritsen contain 27% concentrated butter, as well as egg and wheat. Check the current label for both varieties.

Spritz biscuits and digestives at Joybuy

These two biscuits suit the choice between a digestive and a spritz biscuit for your journey. The Verkade spritz biscuit is covered in milk chocolate, so it isn’t a plain spritz biscuit.

McVities Digestive Original, 400 g pack

McVities Digestive Original 400 g

A digestive you can take as a dry biscuit and compare with spritz biscuits using the nutritional information.

400 g pack. Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values on the label of this pack.

View at Joybuy
Verkade Nobo Spritzed Milk Chocolate, 150 g pack

Verkade Nobo Spritzed Milk Chocolate 150 g

A spritz biscuit variety for anyone specifically after milk chocolate with their snack, rather than a plain spritz biscuit.

150 g pack. If you have allergies or dietary requirements, read the ingredients and warnings on the current label.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Can I take a spritz biscuit or digestive in my hand luggage through Schiphol?

Yes. Dry biscuits are solid foods, which Schiphol allows you to take in your hand luggage. If you’re bringing a spreadable or liquid topping, check the current liquids rules separately.

Does the word ‘digestive’ tell you anything conclusive about its nutritional value?

No. The name is no substitute for comparing the exact products. Albert Heijn lists 10 g of saturated fat per 100 g for McVitie's Digestives Original, while PLUS lists 1.8 g per 100 g for its Digestive biscuit. Also check fibre, sugars and salt, among other things.

Which of the biscuits reviewed is labelled vegan?

Albert Heijn describes AH Digestive as vegan and lactose-free. These labels apply to this variety, which contains wheat, so check the current label if you have dietary requirements or allergies.

Can I buy a particular spritz biscuit or digestive at Schiphol?

Schiphol has places to eat and drink both before and after security. However, if you’re looking for a particular biscuit, it’s best to buy it in advance or ask a shop on the day of departure whether they have that variety.