Who is this for?

If you want to serve strictly sugar-free options

You want to choose biscuits for Friday drinks that meet the EU threshold for the ‘sugar-free’ claim, rather than relying on ‘no added sugar’.

If you’re also keeping an eye on carbohydrates and portions

You want to compare not only the sugars, but also how many carbohydrates a biscuit contains per 100 g and per portion.

If you’re sharing biscuits with guests

You want to check the ingredients, allergens and any warnings about polyols on the pack before serving.

What should you look for when buying?

If sugar-free is an absolute requirement, start by checking ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. Then consider the portions you want to serve and whether the ingredients are suitable for your guests.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this important for?
Sugar-free or no added sugar Read ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. Under European Union Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the ‘sugar-free’ claim is limited to a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. If I want to serve something that’s genuinely sugar-free, I don’t want to rely on a statement about added sugar. Around 33% of consumers put this strict check first.
Carbohydrates and portion size Compare carbohydrates per 100 g and, if stated on the pack, per biscuit or portion. When there are several snacks on offer, I want to be able to decide how many biscuits to serve. For around 25% of consumers, carbohydrates and portion size matter most.
Sharing and flavour Check the number of biscuits, the weight of each one and the flavour before putting together a platter for guests. I’m looking for biscuits that are easy to serve with coffee or tea and share among guests. This practical consideration comes first for around 25% of consumers.
Polyols and allergens Check the ingredients, allergen information and any warning about a laxative effect on the exact pack. If guests need to avoid certain ingredients or are sensitive to polyols, I want to know before serving. Around 17% of consumers give this check the highest priority.

Common mistakes

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

    These statements don’t mean the same thing. Albert Heijn lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Verkade San Francisco zero, while the EU limit for the ‘sugar-free’ claim is a maximum of 0.5 g per 100 g.

    If sugar-free is a firm requirement, check the ‘of which sugars’ row in the nutrition table.

  • Assuming sugar-free also means low in carbohydrates or energy

    Albert Heijn lists 63 g of carbohydrates and 465 kcal per 100 g for AH Digestive 0% sugar. So the sugar content alone doesn’t tell you the whole nutritional story.

    Also compare carbohydrates, energy and how much you plan to serve each guest.

  • Overlooking the warning about polyols

    Voedingscentrum notes that large quantities of polyols can cause digestive problems. Some biscuits containing sweeteners therefore carry a warning about a possible laxative effect if consumed in excess.

    Read the ingredients and warnings on the pack, and take the amount you’re serving into account.

  • Confusing a sugar claim with an allergen check

    A sugar-free claim tells you nothing about allergens. The product information for Céréal Speculoos almond pieces lists wheat, almonds, soya, egg, milk and barley, among other ingredients.

    If any of your guests have allergies, always check the allergen information on the exact pack you’re serving.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

AH Digestive 0% sugar is an own-brand option to consider if you’re looking for biscuits to serve to several guests.

  • Albert Heijn lists 0.3 g of sugars per 100 g for this product, within the EU limit for the ‘sugar-free’ claim.
  • The product information also lists 63 g of carbohydrates and 14 g of polyols per 100 g, as well as wheat as an allergen.

Céréal

The speculoos and coconut biscuits we looked at are small cookies that you can share with coffee or tea.

  • Jumbo lists 0.4 g of sugars per 100 g for the Speculoos almond pieces and 0 g per 100 g for the coconut version.
  • Both versions contain maltitols. Check the allergens for each version; according to the product information, the speculoos version contains wheat, almonds, soya, egg, milk and barley, among other ingredients.

Verkade

San Francisco zero is worth considering if you’re specifically looking for biscuits with no added sugar, but not if you need a strictly sugar-free biscuit.

  • Albert Heijn describes this version as a biscuit with 0% added sugar.
  • The same product information lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g, which is above the EU limit for the ‘sugar-free’ claim.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

When can a biscuit be called ‘sugar-free’?

Under European Union Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the ‘sugar-free’ claim can be used when a product contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g or 100 ml. For biscuits, check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g on the pack.

Does ‘no added sugar’ mean the same as sugar-free?

No, the finished product may still contain sugars. Albert Heijn lists both 0% added sugar and 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Verkade San Francisco zero; that’s above the EU limit for the ‘sugar-free’ claim.

Should I also check carbohydrates in sugar-free biscuits?

Yes, a sugar-free claim doesn’t tell you how many carbohydrates the biscuit contains overall. Compare the nutritional values per 100 g and the amount per biscuit or portion when deciding what to serve.

Why do some packs warn about a laxative effect?

Biscuits containing polyols such as maltitol may carry this warning. Voedingscentrum notes that large quantities of polyols can cause digestive problems, so check the warning and ingredients list on the exact product.

How should I store opened sugar-free biscuits?

Store them in a cool, dry, dark place in a well-sealed container, as Voedingscentrum advises for sugar-free biscuits. Check the pack for any storage instructions specific to your product.