Who is this important for?

Hosts looking for strictly sugar-free options

You want to avoid putting biscuits labelled ‘no added sugar’ on a platter marked ‘sugar-free’. So compare the wording on the packaging with the sugars listed per 100 g and, where available, per biscuit.

Hosts with guests who need to check allergens

You want to know what each variety contains before putting out a shared platter. The biscuits reviewed differ in the allergens present and in warnings about possible traces, so keep the packaging available at the buffet.

Hosts planning a coffee and tea buffet

You’re looking for a biscuit that suits the occasion, while allowing guests to check the portion size, carbohydrates and polyols for themselves. Small portions and clearly visible nutritional information make it easier to choose.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether the platter really needs to be ‘sugar-free’ or whether ‘no added sugar’ is enough. Then compare the allergens and nutritional information for each variety. Regular biscuits shouldn’t be displayed under the same sugar-free label.

What to look for What to check when buying Who is this most important for?
Claim and sugars Read the exact claim and the sugars per 100 g; if possible, check the amount per biscuit too. If the buffet label says ‘sugar-free’, I want to be sure the biscuits carry that claim too. For roughly 31% of consumers choosing biscuits for this buffet, that would be their main purchasing requirement.
Ingredients and allergens Check the current allergen information for each variety, and keep platters and serving utensils separate. When serving biscuits on a shared platter, I want to be able to show guests what each one contains. For around 31% of these consumers, clear ingredient and allergen information would be the most important factor.
Flavour and presentation Choose flavours you can label individually, and put regular biscuits on a separate platter. With coffee or tea, I want to offer a choice without anyone mistaking a regular speculoos biscuit for a sugar-free option. For approximately 23% of these consumers, flavour and presentation would come first.
Portions and polyols Compare carbohydrates and polyols per 100 g, and check how much is in a portion. If guests have more than one biscuit, I want them to be able to check the portion size and nutritional information for themselves. For around 15% of these consumers, that would be their main consideration.

Common mistakes

  • Presenting ‘no added sugar’ as ‘sugar-free’

    These claims aren’t interchangeable. According to Verkade, San Francisco Zero contains 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g, despite being labelled ‘no added sugar’.

    Only put biscuits labelled ‘sugar-free’ on a platter marked as such, and let guests check the packaging.

  • Checking only the sugars

    A low sugar figure doesn’t tell you how many carbohydrates a biscuit contains overall. For the Céréal speculoos and almond variety reviewed, Jumbo lists 62 g of carbohydrates per 100 g, and 72 g per 100 g for the coconut variety.

    Compare the nutritional values on the same basis, preferably per 100 g, and check the portion size too.

  • Overlooking polyols

    The Céréal varieties reviewed contain polyols. The product information warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

    Keep the ingredients and nutritional information visible so guests can see what they’re having, even if they take several biscuits.

  • Assuming ‘sugar-free’ also means allergen-free

    The varieties reviewed contain different allergens or carry warnings about possible traces. Biscuits can also easily get mixed up on shared platters.

    Check each pack you buy individually and use separate serving utensils for each platter.

Relevant brands to compare

Céréal

The coconut and speculoos and almond biscuits reviewed are labelled ‘sugar-free’ and offer two different flavours for your sugar-free platter.

  • Jumbo lists 0 g of sugars and 18 g of polyols per 100 g for the coconut variety; for the speculoos and almond variety, it lists 0.4 g of sugars and 29 g of polyols per 100 g.
  • The speculoos and almond variety contains, among other things, almonds, cereals containing gluten, egg, milk and soya. The coconut variety contains wheat and carries warnings about possible traces of other allergens. Check the packaging for the variety you choose.

Verkade

San Francisco Zero is a separate option if you’re looking for ‘no added sugar’, but not if the buffet label specifically promises ‘sugar-free’.

  • According to Verkade, San Francisco Zero is labelled ‘no added sugar’.
  • Verkade lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g. The product contains wheat, milk and soya; check the packaging for other allergen information too.

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus Biscoff speculoos is a regular biscuit that you can serve separately to guests who aren’t looking for a sugar-free option.

  • A separate platter makes it clear which biscuits are regular and which are sugar-free.
  • Joybuy’s product information for the pack reviewed lists 38.1 g of sugars per 100 g and includes sugar and caramel syrup in the ingredients. Don’t put this product on a platter labelled ‘sugar-free’.

Joybuy products

Matching products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

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

No, these are different product claims for this buffet. Verkade labels San Francisco Zero ‘no added sugar’ and lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g. The Céréal coconut variety described by Jumbo is labelled ‘sugar-free’ and lists 0 g of sugars per 100 g. When buying, check both the claim and the nutritional information.

Can biscuits labelled ‘sugar-free’ still contain carbohydrates?

Yes. For the Céréal speculoos and almond variety reviewed, Jumbo lists 62 g of carbohydrates per 100 g, and 72 g per 100 g for the coconut variety. If this information is important to a guest, check the total carbohydrates as well as the portion size.

Why do some packs carry a warning about polyols?

The Céréal biscuits reviewed contain polyols, and the product information warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Leave the packaging beside the platter so guests can check the ingredients and the amount per portion.

How can I account for allergens at a buffet?

Check the allergen information on each current pack and keep the packaging beside the corresponding platter. Use separate serving utensils: the biscuit varieties reviewed differ in the allergens they contain and in warnings about possible traces.