If reducing sugar is your main aim, don’t just look at the claim on the front of a biscuit packet. Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutrition table, the ingredients and the allergen information too. For an everyday after-school snack, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre also recommends fruit, vegetable snacks and bread. Don’t automatically treat a biscuit as an everyday staple just because it says ‘sugar-free’.
You’re looking for a packet of biscuits for after school and want to know whether the claim on the front fits your aim. The ingredients list and the ‘of which sugars’ figure provide different information from the product name alone.
Before packing, you want to compare the allergen information on the current packaging with what’s suitable for the child and permitted under the school or after-school club’s policy. Check each variant for gluten-containing cereals, nuts, milk, egg and soya, among other things.
You’re looking for a place for a biscuit within your usual eating routine, without assuming that ‘sugar-free’ means it’s an unlimited snack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends set times for children to have sweet and savoury snacks, and also suggests fruit, vegetables and bread as snacks.
First decide whether your main priority is limiting sugars, finding an everyday snack, or catering for allergies and school rules. Then compare the packaging and portion sizes.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar goals and claims | Read the exact claim and compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and per planned portion with the ingredients list. | If I’m specifically trying to limit sugars, I want to know whether ‘sugar-free’ or ‘no added sugars’ fits my aim. Around 31% of consumers put this check first. |
| Everyday snack time | Check the nutritional information, including sugars, saturated fat and salt, and decide how large the portion will be. | For a regular snack, I want to consider more than just one claim on the front. Around 25% of consumers prioritise their everyday snacking routine. |
| Allergens and school rules | Read the allergen information and any warning about possible cross-contamination on the current packaging. Check the school or after-school club’s policy too. | If I’m packing something for a child with an allergy or in line with school rules, the specific variant needs to be suitable. This is the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
| Portion size and taking it with you | Check how many biscuits are in a portion, as well as the packaging and storage instructions. | I want to be able to take a portion with me and decide in advance how many biscuits to give. Around 19% of consumers put this practical consideration first. |
A claim about sugars doesn’t tell you everything about a biscuit. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against relying on the front of the pack alone: the rest of the nutritional information and the portion size matter too.
Compare the nutritional information and ingredients with your own sugar goals. Also decide whether you’re looking for a biscuit for a planned occasion or a snack you intend to give every day.
A biscuit with no added sugars may still contain sugars, for example from dates or other fruit. These two claims therefore answer different shopping questions.
Read the ingredients and the ‘of which sugars’ line. If your aim is to limit sugars, base your choice on the amount of sugars rather than just where the sweet taste comes from.
Ingredients vary from one biscuit to another. A variant that fits your sugar goals may still contain an allergen that matters to the child or their school.
Check the current packaging, including the cereals listed and any warning about possible cross-contamination. Compare this information with the school or after-school club’s rules.
Joybuy’s product information for Céréal Speculoos with Almond warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. This warning applies to the variant mentioned; it isn’t a property you can assume applies to every sugar-free biscuit.
For biscuits containing polyols, check the ingredients and any warnings on the packaging. Don’t take ‘sugar-free’ as a reason to increase the planned portion.
Jumbo lists Céréal biscuits labelled ‘sugar-free’, including coconut and speculoos with almond.
Albert Heijn lists an AH Digestive with ‘0% sugar’ in the product name.
Jumbo has a category for sugar-conscious products, as well as listings for Céréal biscuits labelled ‘sugar-free’.
Lotus Bakeries describes Biscoff as a caramelised, crunchy biscuit.
Lidl presents Sondey as its own brand, with a range of biscuits and snacks.
No. That claim doesn’t assess the whole biscuit or your overall daily diet. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends set snack times for children. When choosing a biscuit, compare the rest of the nutritional information and the portion size too.
‘No added sugars’ doesn’t rule out sugars that are naturally present. An Albert Heijn recipe containing dates shows why you should check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per portion as well as the ingredients: the recipe name alone doesn’t tell you how much sugar the biscuit contains.
Yes, especially if ingredients or allergens affect your choice. Albert Heijn says product information can change, so check the packaging you’re actually using before you pack it.
Read the ingredients list and any warning about possible cross-contamination on the packaging, then compare this with the arrangements for the child and their school or after-school club. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be clearly listed on the labels of prepacked foods, and that the specific type of cereal must be named for gluten-containing cereals.
Check the ingredients and the usage warning for the variant you’ve chosen. For Céréal Speculoos with Almond, Joybuy notes that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Don’t assume the same applies to other biscuits without checking their own packaging.
