Who is this choice for?

Parents keeping a close eye on sugar

You’re looking for a biscuit labelled ‘sugar-free’, not just ‘no added sugar’. Then check the portion size, carbohydrates and sweeteners used too.

Parents looking for an occasional holiday snack

You want to choose a biscuit without treating it as an everyday snack. For children’s everyday snacks, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends options including fruit, vegetables and wholegrain products.

Families who need to check ingredients carefully

If there’s a relevant allergy or sensitivity, the ingredients and warnings for the particular variety you choose are key. The product ranges mentioned differ in their allergens; some packs also warn that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by distinguishing between ‘sugar-free’ and ‘no added sugar’. Then compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion, and read the ingredients for the variety you want to buy.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Sugar claim Read the exact claim and check the amount of sugars per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre states that ‘sugar-free’ means no more than 0.5 g per 100 g; ‘no added sugar’ means something different. If I’m specifically looking for a sugar-free biscuit, I don’t want to rely on just ‘zero’ or ‘0%’ on the front of the pack. Around 42% of consumers prioritise the sugar claim.
Portion size and nutritional value Compare energy, carbohydrates, fat, fibre and salt per 100 g and per portion. Decide whether the biscuit is intended as an occasional snack. A biscuit that’s easy to take with you is handy on holiday, but I also want to know what my child is getting per portion; for around 33% of consumers, this is the most important factor when choosing a snack.
Ingredients and warnings Read the current allergen information, check which sweeteners have been used and follow any warnings on the packaging. If my child needs to avoid an ingredient or is sensitive to a sweetener, the ingredients matter more than the sugar claim. For around 25% of consumers, this check is the top priority.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing ‘no added sugar’ with ‘sugar-free’

    The terms aren’t interchangeable. Albert Heijn’s product information describes Verkade San Francisco Zero as having ‘0% added sugar’, but also lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g.

    If ‘sugar-free’ is what you’re looking for, check both the exact claim and the ‘of which sugars’ line in the nutritional information.

  • Looking only at sugar

    A low sugar content doesn’t tell you how much energy or how many carbohydrates a biscuit contains. Albert Heijn lists 465 kcal and 63 g of carbohydrates per 100 g for AH Digestive 0% sugar.

    Compare the nutritional information as well as the portion size. For children’s everyday snacks, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre also recommends fruit, vegetables and wholegrain products.

  • Leaving the ingredients until after you buy

    Allergens vary from one biscuit to another. Some of the packs mentioned also warn that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

    Before buying, check the ingredients, allergens and any consumption warnings for the variety you’ve chosen.

Brands and product ranges to consider

Albert Heijn

AH Digestive 0% sugar is a biscuit made with sweeteners.

  • Albert Heijn lists 0.3 g of sugars and 5.7 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The product contains wheat. The product information also lists 465 kcal and 63 g of carbohydrates per 100 g, and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

Céréal

The range includes biscuits with no sugars in several varieties; compare the ingredients for each one.

  • Jumbo’s product information lists 0 g of sugars per 100 g for the coconut variety.
  • The same coconut variety lists 72 g of carbohydrates and 427 kcal per 100 g. Check allergens and sweeteners separately for other varieties.

Verkade

San Francisco Zero is labelled ‘0% added sugar’, which isn’t the same as a sugar-free claim.

  • Albert Heijn’s product information makes the sugar content easy to compare: 1.7 g per 100 g.
  • The product contains wheat, milk and soya. The product information also warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus Bakeries Nederland describes Biscoff as a classic speculoos biscuit. This means the range isn’t automatically a sugar-free option.

  • If you want to compare Biscoff products with a specific sugar claim, read the claim and nutritional information on the pack in question.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

What does ‘sugar-free’ mean on biscuits?

According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the nutritional claim ‘sugar-free’ means no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. ‘No added sugar’ is a different claim: a product may still contain naturally occurring sugars.

Is a sugar-free biscuit a suitable everyday snack for a child?

The sugar claim alone doesn’t make a biscuit an obvious everyday choice. Check the portion size and overall nutritional value too; for children’s everyday snacks, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends fruit, vegetables and wholegrain products.

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

Some biscuits containing sweeteners such as polyols state that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Read the warning on the pack for the variety you’ve chosen and keep an eye on the portion size.

Which allergens should I check in these biscuits?

This varies by product and variety. The product information mentioned lists ingredients including wheat, milk and soya; if you have a relevant allergy, always check the current ingredients and allergen information for the specific biscuit.