Which families is this relevant to?

Families who are mainly watching their sugar intake

You’re looking for a biscuit with a clear sugar claim and also want to know which sweeteners are listed in the ingredients.

Large families who want to plan portions

Alongside the sugar claim, you’re checking the pack weight, number of biscuits and how you’ll share them among the family.

Families weighing up taste and ingredients

You want to keep a familiar biscuit treat, but check that the exact variety and sweeteners used suit your family.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, compare similar biscuits by their sugar content per 100 g. Then check the ingredients and decide which pack size you’ll actually use at home.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Sugar content Compare similar biscuits by their sugar content per 100 g and read the exact claim on the pack. If sugar is my main priority, I don’t want to rely only on the wording on the front. For around 46% of consumers, sugar content is the most important factor in this choice.
Packaging and portions Check the total weight and number of biscuits; don’t compare plain biscuits directly with ontbijtkoek or individually wrapped biscuits. When sharing biscuits among a large family, I want to know how many useful portions a pack contains. Around 27% of consumers prioritise their packaging and portion needs.
Taste and type of biscuit Check that the exact variety carries a sugar claim and suits the occasion you have in mind. For a biscuit with a cup of coffee or as a snack, I’m looking for a familiar type that the family enjoys. Familiar taste comes first for around 18% of consumers.
Sweeteners and ingredients Read the ingredients list and any warnings about excessive consumption. Before buying several packs, I want to know which sweeteners they contain and what warnings appear on the label. This is the first priority for around 9% of consumers.

Common mistakes when choosing

  • Treating a sugar claim as a complete nutritional assessment

    ‘Sugar-free’, ‘no added sugar’ and ‘reduced sugar’ don’t mean the same thing. On their own, none of these claims tells you the full nutritional value or portion size.

    Compare similar biscuits per 100 g, then read the ingredients and the rest of the nutritional information.

  • Assuming all large packs are the same

    Six individually wrapped biscuits may serve a different purpose from a pack of plain biscuits. The number of biscuits also doesn’t tell you how much a portion weighs.

    Start by comparing the same type of product, then check the weight, number of biscuits and the portions you use at home.

  • Checking the sweeteners only after stocking up

    Albert Heijn warns that Céréal speculoos biscuits with no sugars may have a laxative effect if eaten in excess. This warning matters when several family members will be eating the same product.

    Read the ingredients and warnings for the exact variety before buying several packs.

  • Assuming a familiar biscuit is automatically a sugar-conscious choice

    Lotus Bakeries describes Biscoff as a crunchy biscuit with a caramelised flavour. A preference for its taste tells you nothing about the sugar content of the pack you’ve chosen.

    If you’re trying to limit sugar, check the nutritional information for the exact variety.

Brands and own-label options to compare

Céréal

Céréal offers biscuit varieties marketed as ‘sugar-free’.

  • Albert Heijn lists Céréal almond speculoos as a sugar-free variety.
  • This variety also carries a warning about a possible laxative effect if eaten in excess; check the label on the pack you choose.

Verkade

San Francisco zero is a biscuit for anyone specifically looking for a variety with no added sugar.

  • Albert Heijn sells this variety in a 267 g pack.
  • The ‘no added sugar’ claim doesn’t replace the need to compare total sugars and other nutritional values.

AH

The own-label range includes AH Digestive 0% sugar biscuits.

  • The Albert Heijn product page makes it easy to identify this exact variety.
  • Albert Heijn notes that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information may change, so check the current label.

Goud Gebakken / Koek & Bakker

These ALDI products offer other types of biscuits to consider for the family shop.

  • ALDI sells Goud Gebakken Koekhappers in a reduced-sugar variety, with six individually wrapped biscuits.
  • Koek & Bakker Gesneden Ontbijtkoek Zero is ontbijtkoek, not a biscuit. Compare nutritional values within the same product category.

Lotus Biscoff

A standard biscuit to use as a taste comparison when a familiar treat matters.

  • Lotus Bakeries describes Biscoff as crunchy and caramelised.
  • Don’t treat the standard variety as a sugar-conscious choice without comparing the nutritional information on the exact pack.

Sondey

A Lidl own-label brand with a range of biscuits and cookies.

  • The range includes different types of biscuits to compare.
  • Check the sugar claim, nutritional information and ingredients for each specific variety; the brand name alone won’t tell you this.

Biscuits on Joybuy

These oat biscuits may be worth considering if you’re looking at biscuits with sweeteners for the family shop. Be sure to check the sugar claim for this variety before making a decision.

Panpan oat biscuits, 216 g pack

Panpan oat biscuits, 216 g

For anyone considering oat biscuits with sweeteners and wanting to check the ingredients before buying.

The product title calls these biscuits sugar-free, while the stated nutritional information lists 11.7 g of sugars per 100 g. So check the nutritional information on the current pack and don’t assume the sugar-free claim is accurate.

Also check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack.

Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Should I compare biscuits per portion or per 100 g?

First, compare similar biscuits per 100 g. The Voedingscentrum points out that manufacturers set their own portion sizes; then check how many biscuits or portions a pack provides for your family.

Do ‘no added sugar’ and ‘sugar-free’ mean the same thing?

No, don’t treat these claims as interchangeable. Albert Heijn sells Verkade San Francisco zero as a biscuit with no added sugar and Céréal speculoos as a sugar-free biscuit. Compare the nutritional information and ingredients for the exact varieties.

Can I stock up on biscuits with sweeteners for the whole family straight away?

First, read the label on the variety you’ve chosen, especially if your family will eat it regularly. Albert Heijn warns that Céréal speculoos biscuits with no sugars may have a laxative effect if eaten in excess; bear this in mind before buying several packs.

Does ‘reduced sugar’ mean a biscuit is suitable as a daily snack?

You can’t tell from that claim alone. The Voedingscentrum advises against relying only on the front of the label; check the rest of the nutritional information, the ingredients and the portion size too.

How do I check allergens in a biscuit I buy regularly?

Check the allergen information on the current pack for every variety you choose. Albert Heijn notes that the ingredients and allergen information for AH Digestive 0% sugar may change.