When choosing a biscuit for the autumn half-term, don’t rely on words such as ‘zero’ or ‘sugar-free’ alone: compare similar biscuits by their sugars and energy per 100 g. Also check the portion size, ingredients and allergens. Some varieties contain polyols and carry a warning that excessive consumption may produce laxative effects.
You’re looking for a biscuit with as little sugar as possible per 100 g for a snack, and you’re happy to consider one made with sweeteners. Compare the energy content too, and check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack.
For a day out or a stock-up for the autumn half-term, you’ll want to know how many biscuits are in the pack and what counts as a portion. If a biscuit contains polyols, check the warning on the label too, especially if several people will be eating them.
If the biscuits are for someone with an allergy or who needs to consider sweeteners, the front of the pack isn’t enough. Check the ingredients list, allergen information and any ‘may contain’ statement for the exact variety.
For the autumn half-term, start by comparing similar biscuits by their sugars per 100 g. Then decide whether the pack is practical for your snack occasion and whether the ingredients suit everyone who’ll be eating them.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Total sugars | For similar biscuits, compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. Don’t rely on ‘zero’ or ‘no added sugar’ alone. | If keeping sugars as low as possible is your priority, compare the total amount rather than relying on the front of the pack. This is the main consideration for around 42% of consumers. |
| Sharing and taking them out | Check the number of biscuits or the pack weight, and look at the portion size. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises keeping opened sugar-free biscuits in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container. | For a day out or a shared snack, you’ll want to know how many you can take and how to store the rest. Around 33% of consumers prioritise these practical considerations. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check which sweeteners are used, whether there’s a warning about polyols, and what the allergen information says for the exact variety. | When you’re sharing with others, you’ll want to check before buying which ingredients might matter to them. Allergens and tolerance are the most important factors for around 25% of consumers. |
A statement about added sugar doesn’t mean the same thing as the total sugar content. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Verkade San Francisco zero, labelled ‘0% added sugar’, contains 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g.
For biscuits of the same type, compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g.
Sugars are just one part of a product’s nutritional value. Albert Heijn’s product information lists Céréal Chocolate Chip Cookie sugar-free at 414 kcal per 100 g and AH Digestive 0% sugar at 465 kcal per 100 g.
As well as sugars, check the energy per 100 g and the portion size on the pack.
Product information for products including AH Digestive 0% sugar, Céréal Chocolate Chip Cookie and Verkade San Francisco zero lists maltitols and a warning that excessive consumption may produce laxative effects. Allergens vary between biscuits.
Check the sweeteners, warnings and full allergen information for the variety you’re buying.
Ingredients and nutritional information can change when a product is updated.
Read the label on the current pack again, especially if a particular ingredient or allergen is important to your choice.
The values and features below apply to specific biscuits, not every product from a brand. Always check the variety you’re planning to buy.
AH Digestive 0% sugar is an own-brand option if you’re looking for a pack of digestive biscuits.
Céréal makes biscuits labelled ‘sugar-free’, including Chocolate Chip Cookie and Speculoos Almond Pieces.
San Francisco zero is a biscuit labelled ‘0% added sugar’.
Lotus Bakeries describes Biscoff as a crunchy biscuit with a caramelised flavour. It’s a flavour reference, not a reason to assume it’s sugar-free.
No. Don’t assume these claims mean the same thing. To check the total amount, look at the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g: according to Albert Heijn’s product information, Verkade San Francisco zero contains 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g, while Céréal Chocolate Chip Cookie sugar-free lists 0 g per 100 g.
Not necessarily. Check the energy content separately from the sugars. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Céréal Chocolate Chip Cookie sugar-free contains 414 kcal per 100 g and AH Digestive 0% sugar contains 465 kcal per 100 g.
For these biscuits, the warning relates to polyols such as maltitols. Read the warning on the pack you choose, and bear it in mind if several biscuits are eaten during a holiday outing.
Check the ingredients list and allergen information on the exact pack, including any ‘may contain’ statement. Don’t rely only on ‘sugar-free’ on the front: biscuits with similar claims can contain different ingredients and allergens.
Store the biscuits in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container, as advised by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Also follow the instructions on the pack you’ve bought.
