Who needs to check both claims?

People with coeliac disease

For you, ‘gluten-free’ is a must when choosing a biscuit. Check the current packaging even if you’ve bought the product before: Albert Heijn points out that product information can change.

Those looking for biscuits without sugars

You’re specifically looking for a ‘no sugars’ or ‘sugar-free’ claim, not just a sugar-conscious positioning. If you have coeliac disease, always check separately for a gluten-free claim too; the Céréal varieties without sugars we reviewed contain gluten-containing ingredients.

People who need both claims

You only want to choose a biscuit if the same packaging states both ‘gluten-free’ and ‘no sugars’ or ‘sugar-free’. The shop examples we reviewed show why either claim on its own isn’t enough.

What to look for in biscuits without sugars

First, check whether the biscuit is explicitly labelled gluten-free to meet your requirements for coeliac disease. Then look at the sugar claim, ingredients and practical options among products that meet your needs.

What to consider What to check Who it matters most to
Gluten-free claim Look for ‘gluten-free’ on the current packaging and read the ingredients and allergen information. If I have coeliac disease, I first want to know whether the biscuit is explicitly labelled gluten-free; only then do I assess its other features. For around 36% of consumers, this is the top priority.
No-sugars claim Check that the same product says ‘no sugars’ or ‘sugar-free’, and look at ‘of which sugars’ in the nutritional information per 100 g. I want a biscuit that meets both requirements, not a gluten-free variety simply marketed as a lower-sugar choice. Around 29% of consumers give this double claim top priority.
Sweeteners and warnings Check which sweeteners have been used and whether the packaging carries a warning about excessive consumption. When I choose a biscuit without sugars, I want to know which sweetener it contains and what usage warnings apply. This matters most to around 21% of consumers.
Current availability Check the information for the specific biscuit in the shop; don’t infer product claims from a range page. When I shop at a particular retailer, I need to be able to check what the biscuit itself says. For around 14% of consumers, practical availability is the main concern.

The ‘gluten-free’ claim and a sugar claim answer different questions. Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, ‘gluten-free’ may be used if the food, as sold to the final consumer, contains no more than 20 mg of gluten per kg. The claim says nothing about the amount of sugars; for that, check the biscuit’s separate claim and nutritional information.

Common mistakes when choosing

  • Assuming ‘no sugars’ means ‘gluten-free’

    According to Albert Heijn, Céréal Speculoos almond pieces without sugars contain wheat flour and barley malt. The Céréal Sesame vanilla variety without sugar lists wheat flour and wheat starch.

    So make the explicit gluten-free claim your first check; a sugar claim is no substitute.

  • Calling a gluten-free biscuit sugar-free

    Albert Heijn lists 29 g of sugars per 100 g for AH Gluten-Free Almond Biscuits. Jumbo also lists 29 g of sugars per 100 g for the Céréal gluten-free chocolate biscuits we reviewed.

    Alongside ‘gluten-free’, check the sugar claim and the ‘of which sugars’ line in the nutritional information.

  • Overlooking a sweetener warning

    The Céréal biscuits without sugars we reviewed list maltitol or other polyols and warn that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

    Read the ingredients and the warning for the specific product before choosing.

  • Confusing a product range with a product claim

    A gluten-free biscuit category doesn’t confirm that every biscuit is also without sugars. Lidl also says that its additional gluten-free products are currently unavailable.

    Check the current packaging of the biscuit you actually want to buy for both claims.

Brands and shops to consider

These examples show what product information to compare for each biscuit; a brand or shop name doesn’t confirm that both claims apply.

Céréal

The Dutch shop pages we reviewed list separate Céréal biscuits without sugars and gluten-free biscuits.

  • Albert Heijn lists 0 g of sugars per 100 g for the Sesame vanilla variety we reviewed and 0.4 g per 100 g for Speculoos almond pieces.
  • Those two varieties contain wheat or barley. The gluten-free Céréal chocolate biscuits listed by Jumbo contain 29 g of sugars per 100 g.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn has a gluten-free biscuit category and provides product information for AH Gluten-Free Almond Biscuits.

  • According to Albert Heijn, these almond biscuits are produced in a completely gluten-free environment.
  • The nutritional information lists 29 g of sugars per 100 g, so these biscuits are not an example of a product without sugars.

Jumbo

Under its ‘Deliciously Gluten-Free’ range, Jumbo lists items including speculoos biscuits and digestives.

  • The category can help you find individual gluten-free biscuits whose packaging you can check.
  • A category doesn’t mean those biscuits are without sugars. Check the claim on each product.

ALDI

ALDI lists Heerlijck Banket coconut macaroons as gluten-free biscuits.

  • This is a specific biscuit example to check against the current packaging.
  • Don’t treat the gluten-free claim as confirmation that the coconut macaroons are also without sugars.

Lidl

Lidl publishes information about an additional gluten-free range.

  • The range page makes it clear that availability needs to be checked separately.
  • Lidl says its additional gluten-free products are currently unavailable; the page doesn’t confirm that any biscuit carries both claims.

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus Bakeries describes Biscoff as a crisp, caramelised biscuit.

  • The brand name can help you identify a biscuit to enjoy with your coffee.
  • The brand description doesn’t confirm that Biscoff is both gluten-free and without sugars. Don’t assume it meets both requirements based on the type of biscuit.

Biscuits at Joybuy

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

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

No, the claims refer to different properties. The Céréal biscuits without sugars we reviewed contain wheat or barley, while Albert Heijn and Jumbo each list 29 g of sugars per 100 g for the gluten-free biscuits mentioned.

When can a biscuit be labelled ‘gluten-free’?

Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, a food may be labelled ‘gluten-free’ if it contains no more than 20 mg of gluten per kg when sold to the final consumer. When buying, check that the claim appears on the specific biscuit.

Why should I read the label again if I already know the biscuit?

The current packaging is the source of information for the biscuit you’re buying. Albert Heijn points out that ingredients, nutritional values, and dietary or allergen information can change when a product is updated.

What should I look for in biscuits without sugars that contain maltitol?

Read the ingredients and any warning about excessive consumption, as well as checking for a gluten-free claim. The Céréal product pages we reviewed list maltitol or other polyols and warn that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.