Who is this choice relevant to?

Parents who want to compare sugar content

Don’t rely on the wording on the front of the pack alone. Check ‘of which sugars’ in the nutritional information, and see whether the biscuit contains sweeteners or polyols.

Parents handing out treats to a class

You’ll need to know what the school and class allow. Check the allergens for the exact variety before packing the bags, too.

Parents putting one biscuit in each bag

You’re looking for a portion that you can keep the same for every child. The number of biscuits, the weight of each one and the nutritional values per portion can help you decide; allergens need to be checked separately.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, check that the biscuit meets the class’s rules. Then compare the sugar content and work out how many individual portions you need.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Allergens and school rules Ask what the class allows and read the allergens on the packaging of the variety you’ve chosen. If I’m handing these out to a class, I want to know first whether every child can have the treat under the agreed rules. Around 39% of consumers would make this their main priority when buying.
Sugar content and claims Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and per biscuit; for ‘reduced sugar’ claims, check what the product is being compared with. I want to choose a biscuit based on its actual sugar content, not just a ‘zero’ or ‘reduced sugar’ claim on the front. Around 38% of consumers would make this their first consideration.
Portions per pack Check the number of biscuits and the weight of each one before filling the bags. I want to prepare an equal, small portion for every bag without running short halfway through. Around 23% of consumers would put this first.

Common mistakes

  • Reading ‘reduced sugar’ as ‘low in sugar’

    ‘Reduced sugar’ describes a comparison; it doesn’t tell you the sugar content on its own. Albert Heijn says AH Roomboter minder suiker stroopwafels contain 32% less sugar than the standard AH variety, while the nutritional information lists 23 g of sugars per 100 g.

    Check what the product is being compared with, and look at ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and per portion you’ll be handing out.

  • Packing a biscuit with a sugar claim without checking the allergens

    A sugar claim tells you nothing about allergens. The varieties discussed contain cereals containing gluten; other allergens and statements about possible traces vary by product.

    Read the current packaging for the exact variety you’re buying and check in advance what the class allows.

  • Overlooking polyols

    Some of the biscuits discussed contain polyols and carry a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. A low sugar content doesn’t make that warning any less relevant.

    Read the ingredients and warnings before deciding how many biscuits to put in each bag.

  • Going by pack weight alone

    The total weight doesn’t tell you how many individual biscuits you can hand out. For example, Albert Heijn lists approximately 8,6 g per biscuit for Verkade San Francisco Zero, while the Céréal Chocolate Chip Cookie pack contains 12 biscuits.

    Count how many bags you need and check the number of biscuits per pack, as well as the portion size and allergens.

Brands and product ranges compared

Céréal

The sugar-free Chocolate Chip Cookie is worth considering if the stated sugar content is a key factor for you.

  • Albert Heijn lists 0 g of sugars per 100 g for this variety, with 12 biscuits per pack.
  • The same product information lists wheat and cereals containing gluten, 26 g of polyols per 100 g, and possible traces of egg, milk, nuts, soya and sesame. Also read the warning about excessive consumption.

Albert Heijn

The two AH products discussed show the difference between a biscuit with a low stated sugar content and a stroopwafel with a relative sugar claim.

  • AH Digestive 0% suiker lists 0,3 g of sugars per 100 g. AH Roomboter minder suiker stroopwafels contain 32% less sugar than the standard AH variety.
  • The stroopwafels also list 23 g of sugars per 100 g. The allergen information differs between the products, so check the packaging of the variety you choose.

Verkade

San Francisco Zero is a biscuit with a stated serving size per biscuit.

  • According to the product information from Albert Heijn, this variety contains 0% added sugar and weighs approximately 8,6 g per biscuit.
  • The same information lists 1,7 g of sugars per 100 g and names wheat, cereals containing gluten, milk and soya among the allergens.

Snelle Jelle

Minder Suiker-kruidkoek is a separately portioned cake, but it isn’t a crisp biscuit.

  • Jumbo says this variety contains 30% less sugar than Snelle Jelle Kruidkoek naturel.
  • Jumbo also lists 24 g of sugars per 100 g and rye and cereals containing gluten, with possible traces of milk, almond and hazelnut.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products will appear here soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘0% added sugar’ mean a biscuit contains no sugars?

No. This claim refers to added sugar. According to the product information from Albert Heijn, Verkade San Francisco Zero also contains 1,7 g of naturally occurring sugars per 100 g, so check ‘of which sugars’ in the nutritional information as well.

How do I compare biscuits when the portion sizes differ?

Use the values per 100 g to compare products on the same basis, then check the value per biscuit you’ll actually be handing out. Also check how many biscuits are in the pack so you can plan a portion for every bag.

Can any sugar-conscious biscuit be taken in as a school treat?

No. A sugar claim doesn’t tell you whether a biscuit meets your school’s or class’s rules. Vereniging Openbaar Onderwijs explains that schools can set their own rules for treats, so ask the teacher or check the school’s information before packing anything.

Why should I still check the allergens on individually wrapped biscuits?

Allergens vary between varieties, and your choice needs to be suitable for the children receiving the treat. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens must be listed on the labels of pre-packed foods, so check the label on the pack you’ll be handing out.

Why do some low-sugar biscuits carry a warning about polyols?

Excessive consumption of polyols can have a laxative effect. Some of the biscuit varieties discussed list polyols and carry a warning on the packaging; take that warning into account when deciding on the portion for each child.