Looking for a sugar-free biscuit to enjoy with your morning coffee? Check both the claim and the amount of sugars per 100 g. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the ‘sugar-free’ nutrition claim is limited to 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. ‘No added sugars’ does not mean a biscuit contains no sugars, so compare the serving size, nutritional information, ingredients and allergens too.
You’re looking for a biscuit to have with your morning coffee that carries the ‘sugar-free’ claim. So, you check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g, rather than relying on words such as ‘zero’ on the front of the pack.
You want less sugar, but you also look at energy, fat, fibre and serving size. A biscuit low in sugars isn’t automatically low in calories.
You’re looking for a biscuit to enjoy with your coffee and need to take ingredients such as polyols or allergens into account. In that case, it’s important to check the ingredients list for the exact variant as well as the sugar claim.
First decide whether you’re looking for a strictly sugar-free biscuit or mainly want to avoid added sugars. Then use the nutritional information and ingredients list to compare products for your coffee break.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar claim | Compare the claim with the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, ‘sugar-free’ means no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. | If I want to choose a strictly sugar-free biscuit for my morning coffee, the sugar content needs to match the claim. For around 33% of shoppers, that limit would be the most important factor when choosing. |
| Nutritional value | Check energy, fat, carbohydrates, sugars and fibre per 100 g; compare the amount per serving too. | I want to know the nutritional value of the number of biscuits I usually have with my coffee, not just how much sugar they contain. For around 25% of shoppers, this broader comparison would come first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variant, paying attention to polyols and any warnings. | If I need to take certain ingredients into account, I can’t rely on the sugar claim alone. Ingredients and allergens would be the main concern for around 25% of shoppers. |
| Serving size and storage | Check how many biscuits make up a serving and whether you can reseal the pack once it’s open. | I want to choose an amount that suits my coffee routine and keep the rest of the pack in good condition. For around 17% of shoppers, this would be the most important factor. |
A biscuit with no added sugars can still contain sugars. Albert Heijn states that Verkade San Francisco zero has 0% added sugar, but also contains 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g.
If you want a product with the ‘sugar-free’ claim, check the sugar content per 100 g on the pack.
The sugar content doesn’t tell you how much energy a biscuit provides. Albert Heijn states that AH Digestive 0% suiker contains 465 kcal per 100 g.
Compare the energy per 100 g with the amount you’d like to have with a cup of coffee.
The biscuits reviewed have different ingredients. For example, Jumbo lists polyols and wheat in Céréal Zonder Suikers Kokos Smaak; Choco Delight Puur also lists milk, egg, oats and soya.
Read the ingredients, allergens and any warnings on the pack of the variant you choose.
A biscuit you enjoy now and then with your morning coffee should still be good to eat after opening. Voedingscentrum recommends storing sugar-free biscuits in a cool, dry, dark place and keeping them well sealed.
Choose a pack size that suits how much you eat, and seal the pack properly after opening.
Albert Heijn has a ‘sugar-conscious biscuits’ category and states that AH Digestive 0% suiker contains 0.3 g of sugars per 100 g.
Jumbo lists separate nutritional values for two different Céréal variants: Zonder Suikers Kokos Smaak and Minder Suikers Choco Delight Puur.
Verkade San Francisco zero is worth considering if you’re mainly watching your intake of added sugars.
Lidl Netherlands presents Sondey as a brand offering a range of biscuits and snacks.
Lotus Bakeries presents Biscoff as a biscuit to enjoy with coffee, for those who value that combination.
Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, a biscuit can carry the EU ‘sugar-free’ nutrition claim if it contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure on the pack.
No. The EU conditions for ‘no added sugars’ concern what has been added during preparation; sugars that occur naturally can remain in the product. So, if the amount of sugars is a deciding factor for you, check the amount per 100 g.
Yes, if you want to know which sweeteners they contain or need to take account of a usage warning. Check the ingredients list and follow the warning on the pack of any product containing polyols.
According to Voedingscentrum, store them in a cool, dry, dark place and keep the pack well sealed. A tightly sealed pack helps maintain their quality after opening.
Yes, especially if the sugar content, ingredients or allergens affect your choice. Albert Heijn says that product information can change, so check the pack of the variant you buy.
