For biscuits that are strictly sugar-free, choose a product with no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g—the limit the Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives for the ‘sugar-free’ claim. ‘No added sugars’ does not mean the same thing. For a birthday, also check the allergens on each pack, the serving size and any sweetener warnings.
For you, the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g is the deciding factor. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a product can contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g to carry the ‘sugar-free’ claim. A ‘zero’ name or the words ‘no added sugars’ are not enough on their own.
Before serving, check the allergens present and any that may be present as traces on the exact variant you’ve bought. The biscuits mentioned differ in their information about wheat, milk, soya, egg and nuts.
If guests can help themselves to several biscuits, the serving size and any warning on the pack are important. Some of the variants mentioned contain polyols and warn of a laxative effect if eaten in excess.
When to choose them: go for this option if the biscuits need to meet the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s limit of no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g for the ‘sugar-free’ claim.
What to consider: as well as the sugar content, check the allergens and warnings on the exact pack; some of the variants mentioned are sweetened with polyols.
When to choose them: this option is suitable only if you want to avoid added sugars, without requiring the biscuits to be strictly sugar-free.
What to consider: According to Jumbo, Verkade San Francisco Zero contains 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g, so it does not meet the ‘sugar-free’ limit.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar claim | Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. For ‘sugar-free’, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives a maximum of 0.5 g per 100 g. | If you want to serve strictly sugar-free biscuits, the nutritional information for your chosen variant needs to confirm this. Around 33% of consumers make this their top priority. |
| Allergens | Check the allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the exact pack. | If you have guests with a known allergy, you’ll want to know which biscuits are suitable for them before putting anything on a shared platter. Checking allergens is the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Portions and polyols | Check the amount per biscuit, the sweeteners used and any warnings about eating too much. | When guests help themselves, you’ll want to keep portions manageable and leave the pack warning visible. This is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
| Other nutritional values | Compare energy, fat, carbohydrates, fibre and salt on the same basis: per 100 g or per serving. | If the sugar claim doesn’t tell you the whole story, you may also want to check the rest of the nutritional information. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this broader comparison. |
Biscuits can contain no added sugars and still have more sugars than the limit for ‘sugar-free’. Jumbo lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Verkade San Francisco Zero.
Compare the claim on the front of the pack with the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g in the nutritional information.
The biscuits mentioned differ in the allergens they contain and their warnings about possible traces. A sugar claim tells you nothing about this.
Ask about any relevant allergies, check the exact pack and keep it with the biscuits so guests can read the information.
Even with sugar-free biscuits, portion size and other nutritional values still matter. Packs of some of the products mentioned also warn of a laxative effect if eaten in excess.
Check the nutritional information per serving and leave any warnings visible when you serve the biscuits.
AH Digestive 0% Sugar comes in a 400 g pack. Albert Heijn lists 0.3 g of sugars per 100 g for this variant.
The range mentioned includes Coconut and Speculoos with Almond. Jumbo lists 0 g and 0.4 g of sugars per 100 g respectively for these variants.
San Francisco Zero has no added sugar, but it is not a strictly sugar-free option: Jumbo lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g.
For a biscuit to carry the ‘sugar-free’ claim, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre says it can contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. So check the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutritional information; ‘no added sugars’ does not automatically mean the biscuit meets this limit.
Keep the original pack with the biscuits so guests can check the allergens for the exact variant. Beforehand, check both the allergens present and any warnings about possible traces, and choose products to suit any allergies guests have told you about.
Some of the biscuits mentioned contain polyols, such as maltitol, and their packaging warns of a laxative effect if eaten in excess. Leave the warning visible if you serve the biscuits out of their pack.
Follow the storage instructions on the pack of the biscuits you’ve chosen. For AH Digestive 0% Sugar, Albert Heijn recommends storing the biscuits in a sealed tin after opening; check the instructions again if you buy a different variant.
