Who is this relevant to?

Shoppers who want to check the sugar claim carefully

You’re looking for a biscuit that actually carries the claim you have in mind. A label such as ‘zero’ or ‘conscious’ is no substitute for checking the nutritional information on the packaging.

Festival-goers who want to bring or share biscuits

You’ll want to know in advance how many biscuits are in a pack and whether they’re individually portioned. Jumbo describes its Céréal coconut variety as handy to take with you; check the packaging of the variety you choose.

Shoppers who keep an eye on sweeteners

You check which sweeteners a biscuit contains and read any warnings before bringing several portions. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that large quantities of polyols can cause digestive problems.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by checking the sugar claim: under European Union Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, ‘sugar-free’ may be used when a product contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. Then compare the portion size, packaging and other nutritional information for the biscuits you’re considering.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Sugar claim Read the exact claim and compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. ‘No added sugars’ is not the same as ‘sugar-free’. I want to choose a biscuit whose sugar claim matches what I’m looking for, not just the wording on the front of the pack. For around 36% of shoppers, this check comes first.
Packaging and portions Check the number of biscuits and whether the pack is divided into portions or can be resealed. At a festival, I want to be able to take biscuits along and share them without leaving a large pack open. The type of packaging is the main consideration for around 29% of shoppers.
Nutritional value Compare total carbohydrates and energy per 100 g and per portion; also check the other nutritional information. If I want to compare more than just the amount of sugars, I need the full nutrition table. For around 21% of shoppers, this comparison is the top priority.
Sweeteners and ingredients Read the ingredients list and any warning about excessive consumption; if you’re sharing, check the allergen information too. If I’m keeping an eye on polyols, I want to know which sweeteners the biscuit contains before the festival. For around 14% of shoppers, checking the ingredients comes first.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘sugar-free’ means ‘low-carb’

    The EU claim ‘sugar-free’ refers to sugars; according to the Diabetes Fund, carbohydrates also include starch and fibre. The claim also says nothing about a biscuit’s energy or fat content.

    Compare the nutrition table per 100 g and the amount you plan to take with you.

  • Overlooking the amount of polyols

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, large quantities of polyols can cause digestive problems. This is worth bearing in mind if you plan to eat several biscuits or other products containing polyols during a festival.

    Read the ingredients and any warning on the packaging before deciding how much to bring.

  • Relying on product information saved earlier

    Albert Heijn says that product ingredients, nutritional values and allergy information can change. This is especially important if you’re sharing biscuits with others.

    Check the current packaging when you buy the biscuits and read the allergen information before handing them out.

Brands with relevant biscuits to compare

Céréal

Jumbo sells a Céréal coconut biscuit labelled ‘no sugars’; Albert Heijn lists an almond-piece speculoos variety with the same claim.

  • The coconut pack described by Jumbo contains 3 × 4 biscuits, which is useful if you want to take portions with you.
  • Check the ingredients and warnings for each variety. Joybuy notes that excessive consumption of a Céréal coconut biscuit may have a laxative effect.

Albert Heijn

AH Digestive 0% suiker is a supermarket own-brand biscuit to assess by checking its exact label and nutritional information.

  • The product name makes it clear which sugar claim you can check more closely on the packaging.
  • Albert Heijn warns that product ingredients, nutritional values and allergy information can change, so check the current packaging.

Verkade

Albert Heijn lists Verkade San Francisco zero as a separate biscuit variety.

  • The specific variety name helps you identify the right product when comparing labels.
  • Don’t rely on ‘zero’ alone for a complete nutritional assessment: check the sugar claim, ingredients and nutritional information on the packaging.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

What does ‘sugar-free’ mean on a packet of biscuits?

Under European Union Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the claim ‘sugar-free’ may be used if the product contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. Check that the packaging of the specific biscuit actually carries this claim.

Is ‘no added sugars’ the same as ‘sugar-free’?

No. A product with no added sugars may still contain naturally occurring sugars. Read the exact claim and compare the ‘of which sugars’ line in the nutrition table.

Why do some biscuits carry a warning about a laxative effect?

Large quantities of polyols can cause digestive problems, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Read the ingredients and warning on the packaging if you plan to bring several biscuits or other products containing polyols.

What should I check if I want to hand out biscuits at the festival?

Check the allergen information on the current packaging before handing out biscuits. Albert Heijn says that product ingredients and allergy information can change, so a product description you saved earlier may not match the packaging of the one you buy.