Which biscuit choice is right for you?

You need a strictly sugar-free option

You want to serve biscuits that are actually labelled sugar-free. A pack labelled only ‘no added sugars’ doesn’t necessarily meet that requirement.

You want to avoid added sugars

You’re looking for biscuits with no added sugars, but don’t require them to meet the threshold for a ‘sugar-free’ claim.

You’re hosting a mixed group

You want to be able to check which allergens and polyols the biscuits contain. Clearly labelled, separate plates and the original packaging help you keep the options apart.

What should you look for when buying?

First decide whether ‘sugar-free’ is a firm requirement or whether ‘no added sugars’ is enough. Then check the information on the packaging of the biscuits you plan to serve.

What to look for What to check before buying Who it matters to
Strictly sugar-free Check for the ‘sugar-free’ claim and the ‘of which sugars’ figure. Under EU rules, products making this claim may contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. If I promise a separate sugar-free plate, I don’t want to rely on just the word ‘zero’ on the front of the pack. Around 36% of consumers prioritise checking this strict claim.
Allergens and polyols Check the ingredients, allergen information, any ‘may contain’ warning and details about polyols on the current packaging. For guests with an allergy or sensitivity to polyols, I want to be able to show them which biscuit they’re being offered. Around 29% of consumers prioritise these checks.
No added sugars Compare the exact claim with the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g, and check which sweeteners are listed in the ingredients. If my main aim is to avoid serving added sugars, I don’t automatically need to choose a strictly sugar-free biscuit. Around 21% of consumers prioritise this.
Portions and presentation Check the number of biscuits and the storage instructions. Keep regular and sugar-free biscuits clearly separate. When setting out food for a group, I want to know how many biscuits I can serve and which plate contains which option. This matters most to around 14% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Reading ‘no added sugars’ as ‘sugar-free’

    These claims aren’t interchangeable. Verkade states that San Francisco Zero, a biscuit with no added sugars, contains 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g. That’s above the EU limit of no more than 0.5 g per 100 g for a ‘sugar-free’ claim.

    Check which claim you need, then look at the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g.

  • Assuming sugar-free also means allergen-free

    Sugar-free biscuits can still contain allergens. For example, Céréal lists wheat in its Zandkoekjes Natuur biscuits; the product information also mentions possible traces of ingredients including egg, milk, nuts and sesame. Some products also contain polyols.

    Check the packaging of every product you serve. Ask guests with allergies what product information they need, and only offer a separate option if you’ve checked its packaging for them.

  • Putting all the biscuits on one unlabelled plate

    Guests can no longer reliably tell regular and sugar-free options apart or check the relevant ingredients information.

    Use separate, clearly labelled plates and keep the original packaging with each product.

  • Relying on the packaging from a previous purchase

    Albert Heijn states that the ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information for AH Digestive 0% suiker may change.

    Check the pack you’re using for this birthday, even if you’ve bought the same product before.

Brands and product ranges to consider

Céréal

Céréal describes its Zandkoekjes Natuur biscuits as sugar-free. According to the product information, they contain 0 g of sugars per 100 g.

  • For this specific product, Céréal also lists 19 g of polyols and 5.1 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • They contain wheat and may also contain egg, soya, milk, nuts and sesame, among other ingredients. Check the current packaging before serving.

Albert Heijn

AH Digestive 0% suiker is sold as a sugar-free biscuit with sweeteners. Albert Heijn states that it contains 0.3 g of sugars per 100 g.

  • The product information lists 14 g of polyols per 100 g for this biscuit.
  • The product contains wheat and carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Albert Heijn says that ingredients and allergen information may change.

Verkade

Verkade describes San Francisco Zero as a biscuit with no added sugars, not as a strictly sugar-free product.

  • The product information states that it contains 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g and lists maltitols as an ingredient.
  • This biscuit contains wheat, milk and soya. Don’t choose it if the plate needs to meet a strict sugar-free requirement.

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus Biscoff Original is a regular spiced biscuit option for guests who aren’t looking for a sugar-free biscuit.

  • If you’d also like to serve regular biscuits, you can put these on a separately labelled plate.
  • Lotus Bakeries states that Biscoff Original contains 38.1 g of sugars per 100 g. It’s not a substitute for the sugar-free option.

Biscuits at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘no added sugars’ mean the same as ‘sugar-free’?

No. Under EU rules, a product labelled ‘sugar-free’ may contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. A biscuit with no added sugars may contain more than that: Verkade states that San Francisco Zero contains 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g.

Why do some packs carry a warning about a laxative effect?

The warning may relate to polyols used as sweeteners. Albert Heijn lists polyols in AH Digestive 0% suiker and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Check the warning on the pack you’re serving.

How can I take allergens into account at a birthday party?

Keep the original packaging beside each separate plate of biscuits so guests can check the ingredients and allergens. Also look for any warnings about possible traces of allergens: the ‘sugar-free’ label doesn’t tell you anything about them.

How should I store an opened pack of sugar-free biscuits?

Follow the storage instructions for the product in question. For AH Digestive 0% suiker, Albert Heijn recommends storing the biscuits in a cool, dark, dry place and keeping them in a sealed tin after opening.