Who is this choice relevant to?

Hotel buyers with a strict sugar-free requirement

If you want to offer biscuits as sugar-free, check the amount of sugars per 100 g. A statement about no added sugars on the front of the pack is not enough.

Hotel teams organising how biscuits are served

For biscuits in guest rooms or at a coffee point, individual portions and accessible allergen information matter. Also check the warnings on the exact product variant.

Guests keeping an eye on their sugar intake

Sugar-free biscuits can still contain energy, fat and sweeteners. If you want to compare products, the nutritional information per portion tells you more than the sugar claim alone.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide whether ‘sugar-free’ is a firm requirement. Then check that the exact pack and product information suit the way the hotel will serve the biscuits.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Sugar claim Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. For the EU ‘sugar-free’ claim, the limit is 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g, according to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. If I’m offering biscuits as sugar-free, I don’t want to rely on ‘no added sugars’ alone. Around 42% of consumers choosing this hotel offering prioritise the correct sugar claim.
Serving and allergens Check the packaging for individual portions and the allergen information for the exact variant. If serving the biscuits unpackaged, make sure guests can access the required allergen information. For a biscuit in a hotel room, I want to know how it’s packaged and what allergen information guests can access. Serving arrangements are the top priority for around 33% of these consumers.
Taste and portion Compare how the flavour pairs with coffee and the nutritional value of each biscuit served, including energy, sugars, fat and any polyols. I want to choose a biscuit that goes well with coffee without losing sight of portion size or sweeteners. This is the most important consideration for around 25% of these consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Reading ‘no added sugars’ as ‘sugar-free’

    According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Verkade San Francisco zero contains 0% added sugar but 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g. That is above the limit for the EU ‘sugar-free’ claim.

    Decide which of the two claims the hotel needs, then check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g.

  • Assuming a multipack contains individually wrapped portions for hotel rooms

    The pack sizes listed by Jumbo for Céréal Coconut (3 × 4) and Céréal Speculoos with Almond (2 × 5) do not, by themselves, tell you whether each biscuit is individually wrapped. AH Digestive 0% Sugar is sold in a 400 g pack.

    Before ordering, ask how each guest portion is packaged and how the product should be stored and replenished once opened.

  • Losing allergen information when serving biscuits loose

    Allergens vary between biscuits and product variants. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that customers must be given information about the 14 designated allergens in unpackaged foods.

    Keep information for the exact product variant available where guests collect the biscuits.

  • Assuming sugar-free means suitable in unlimited quantities

    Sugar-free biscuits can still contain energy and polyols. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre states that large amounts of polyols can cause digestive problems.

    Compare the nutritional information per portion and make sure any warning on the product packaging is still available if the biscuits are served differently.

Brands worth comparing

Céréal

Jumbo lists Céréal biscuits with no sugars in coconut and almond speculoos varieties.

  • Céréal Coconut lists 0 g of sugars per 100 g; Speculoos with Almond lists 0.4 g per 100 g.
  • Both variants list maltitol and allergens. Check separately how the biscuits are packaged for individual guest portions.

AH

According to Albert Heijn, AH Digestive 0% Sugar is a biscuit sold in a 400 g pack.

  • The stated sugar content is 0.3 g per 100 g.
  • The product contains wheat. Before serving it in guest rooms, check how individual portions can be offered.

Verkade

Verkade San Francisco zero is a biscuit with a claim about added sugar, so it is not the same as a strictly sugar-free option.

  • Albert Heijn lists this product as containing 0% added sugar.
  • At 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g, it is above the EU limit for the ‘sugar-free’ claim. The product information lists wheat, milk and soya, among other ingredients.

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus Bakeries presents Biscoff as a biscuit to enjoy with coffee.

  • The brand specifically positions the product as a pairing for coffee.
  • Don’t use it as a sugar-free option without checking the sugar content on the label of the exact variant.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between ‘sugar-free’ and ‘no added sugars’?

For biscuits, the EU ‘sugar-free’ claim allows no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g, according to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. A product with no added sugars can still contain sugars: Albert Heijn lists Verkade San Francisco zero as containing 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g.

Are sugar-free biscuits automatically low in calories?

No. ‘Sugar-free’ describes the amount of sugars, not the energy content. For the biscuit you’re actually serving, compare the nutritional values per 100 g and per portion, including energy and fat.

What allergen information is needed when biscuits are served loose?

When unpackaged biscuits are served in the Dutch hospitality sector, guests must be able to access information about the allergens they contain. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority lists 14 designated allergens. Use up-to-date information for the exact product variant when serving the biscuits.

Why do some sugar-free biscuits carry a warning about a laxative effect?

Some sugar-free biscuits contain polyols, which can cause digestive problems in large amounts, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Check the warning on the pack you choose and keep this information available when offering the biscuits to guests.