When comparing biscuits for your snack cupboard, start with the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g: ‘0% added sugar’ does not mean the product contains no sugars. Then check the sweeteners, allergens, energy and the portion you usually eat. If buying from a pharmacy, check which products are actually available there; the product examples mentioned do not confirm that they are stocked by pharmacies.
You’re looking for biscuits for your cupboard with as little declared sugar as possible, so you compare the nutrition information per 100 g rather than relying only on the wording on the front of the pack.
You want to know which sweeteners or polyols a biscuit contains, and check the packaging for allergens that are relevant to you, such as wheat, milk or soya.
You like to keep biscuits in stock and want to assess the energy per biscuit or portion. You also want to know how to store an opened pack.
Start with the sugar content per 100 g and the precise meaning of the claim on the packaging. Then use the ingredients list and nutrition information to compare biscuits that meet your initial requirement.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugars and claims | Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g and check whether the claim refers to all sugars or only added sugar. | I want to choose biscuits by their sugar content without being swayed by ‘zero’ on the front of the pack. Sugar content is the top priority for around 44% of consumers. |
| Sweeteners and allergens | Read the ingredients, check for polyols and allergens, and look for any warnings on the packaging. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I don’t want to rely on the sugar content alone. For around 33% of consumers, sweeteners or allergens are the main consideration. |
| Portion size and storage | Compare the energy per 100 g and per biscuit or portion; check the storage instructions for an opened pack. | When stocking up, I want to know how many I usually eat at a time and how to store the rest. Portion size and ease of storage are the main priorities for around 23% of consumers. |
According to the product information on Albert Heijn’s website, Verkade San Francisco Zero is labelled ‘0% added sugar’, but also contains 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g.
Always check the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutrition table as well as the claim.
The biscuits mentioned with low sugar content also differ in energy value. For example, Albert Heijn lists AH Digestive 0% suiker as containing 465 kcal per 100 g.
Compare the nutrition information per 100 g and consider how many biscuits you eat as a portion.
Biscuits with low declared sugar content may contain sweeteners and allergens. The packaging for AH Digestive 0% suiker also warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Check the ingredients, allergens and warnings on every pack, even if you already know the brand.
The quality of biscuits can deteriorate once a pack is opened. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises storing sugar-free biscuits in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container.
Seal the pack well after opening and follow the product’s storage instructions.
These product ranges show which details you can compare; a brand name alone tells you nothing about the sugar content or ingredients of a different variant.
The Zonder Suikers Kokos and Minder Suikers Choco Delight Puur variants are examples you can use to compare sugar content and polyols.
AH Digestive 0% suiker is a digestive biscuit variant you can compare by sugar content, polyols and portion size.
San Francisco Zero is worth considering if you want to distinguish a claim about added sugar from the total declared sugars.
The standard speculoos biscuits are a useful point of comparison if you want to see how they differ from biscuits low in sugar; they are not a sugar-free option for your cupboard.
No. According to the product information on Albert Heijn’s website, Verkade San Francisco Zero is labelled ‘0% added sugar’ but also contains 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g. Jumbo lists Céréal Zonder Suikers Kokos as containing 0 g of sugars per 100 g. So always compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure, whatever the claim on the front of the pack.
Check the label, particularly the ingredients list. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the label will say if a product contains a sweetener. Also check the nutrition information if you want to compare the amount of polyols.
No. A low sugar content doesn’t tell you how much energy you’ll get from a portion. Compare the nutrition information per 100 g and per biscuit or portion, and consider how many you usually take from an opened pack.
Store them in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises for sugar-free biscuits. Also follow the storage instructions on the packaging of your chosen product.
