Who are these choices relevant to?

Host looking to limit total sugars

You’re looking for biscuits with a low stated sugar content per 100 g, and want to compare the ingredients, polyols and energy content too.

Planning the coffee or tea table

You’re looking for a biscuit to serve with coffee or tea, but even when it says ‘no added sugars’, you also check how much total sugar it contains.

Host catering for guests with allergies

You’re serving biscuits to a mixed group and need to check which allergens are present in each variety, and which may be present as traces.

What should you look for when choosing?

For Easter brunch, it makes a difference whether you want to limit total sugars or mainly avoid added sugars. Then choose a suitable type of biscuit and check the packaging of the exact variety you plan to serve.

What to consider What to check when buying Especially relevant to
Sugars and claims Compare ‘of which sugars’ and energy per 100 g for the same type of biscuit; if it claims to have no added sugars, read the ingredients. If I want to limit total sugars, I don’t want to rely only on the wording on the front of the pack. Around 36% of consumers say sugar content is their main priority when buying.
Allergens and polyols Read the allergen information, any ‘may contain’ statement and the usage warning on the current packaging. If guests have allergies, I need to know what I can serve; with biscuits containing polyols, I also want to be able to pass on the warning. Around 29% of consumers put these checks first.
Flavour and type of biscuit Choose a flavour and type to suit the occasion, then check the information for that exact variety. If you’re looking for something to serve with coffee or tea, you’ll want to choose a type of biscuit that suits the brunch table first. This is the main priority for around 21% of consumers.
Quantity to share Check the net weight and number of biscuits; even with a larger pack, make sure the ingredients are suitable for your guests. If I’m buying for several guests, I want to know whether one pack contains enough biscuits to share. Around 14% of consumers put quantity first.

Common mistakes

  • Treating a sugar claim as a complete nutritional assessment

    A low sugar value doesn’t tell you how much energy, fat or polyols a biscuit contains.

    For biscuits of the same type, also compare energy, saturated fat, fibre and salt per 100 g.

  • Assuming ‘no added sugars’ means no sugars

    Verkade lists 1.7 g of total sugars per 100 g for San Francisco Zero, a biscuit with no added sugars.

    Always check the ‘of which sugars’ line in the nutritional information for your chosen variety, as well as the claim.

  • Overlooking allergens at a shared brunch

    The listed allergens and possible traces vary between the Céréal varieties reviewed. A sugar claim doesn’t tell you anything about them.

    Check the packaging of every variety and keep the ingredients information handy for your guests.

  • Ignoring the warning about polyols

    Product information for several biscuits containing polyols states that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

    Check the warning on the packaging and bear in mind how much you’re serving.

Brands and product ranges to consider

Céréal

Céréal offers, among other products, speculoos and almond biscuits, as well as coconut biscuits labelled ‘no sugars’.

  • Albert Heijn lists 0.4 g of sugars and 29 g of polyols per 100 g for the speculoos and almond variety; Jumbo lists 0 g of sugars and 18 g of polyols per 100 g for the coconut variety.
  • Ingredients and allergens vary by variety. The speculoos and almond variety contains wheat and almonds, among other ingredients; check the packaging for other allergens and possible traces too.

Verkade

San Francisco Zero is a biscuit with no added sugars, made to enjoy with coffee or tea.

  • Verkade lists 1.7 g of total sugars per 100 g for this variety.
  • According to the ingredients information, the variety contains wheat flour, maltitols, milk ingredients and soya lecithins, among other ingredients. ‘No added sugars’ doesn’t mean the product contains no sugars.

Albert Heijn

AH Digestive 0% sugar is a digestive biscuit in a 400 g pack.

  • Albert Heijn lists 0.3 g of sugars and 14 g of polyols per 100 g.
  • The same nutritional information lists 465 kcal per 100 g. The product contains wheat; Albert Heijn advises checking the packaging, as product information may change.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for Céréal Zonder Suikers Kokos Smaak.

  • The product information lists 0 g of sugars and 18 g of polyols per 100 g for this coconut variety.
  • Wheat is listed as an allergen; possible traces of milk, eggs, nuts and soya, among others, are also mentioned. This doesn’t tell you anything about the ingredients of other biscuits at Jumbo.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘0% sugar’ mean a biscuit is low in calories?

No, the sugar value doesn’t tell you how much energy the biscuit provides. For AH Digestive 0% sugar, Albert Heijn lists 0.3 g of sugars and 465 kcal per 100 g; check both values in the nutritional information.

How do I compare biscuits with different portion sizes?

Compare biscuits of the same type per 100 g, then consider how much you want to serve per portion. The Voedingscentrum recommends comparing products per 100 g, as portion sizes can vary.

Where can I check allergens when buying biscuits for guests?

Check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging of each variety. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights the allergen information on labels; also look out for any statements about possible traces.

Why do some sugar-conscious biscuits carry a warning about excessive consumption?

Some of these biscuits contain polyols and carry a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Check the packaging of the biscuits you’re serving and bear in mind how much you put out.