If sugar-free is a strict requirement for your household, start by checking the sugar claim. Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, a food can only be described as sugar-free if it contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g; ‘no added sugars’ does not mean the same thing. Then compare like-for-like biscuits per 100 g and check the ingredients, allergens and portions before buying a large pack.
If you’re looking for sugar-free biscuits, the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g is key. Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the sugar-free claim is only permitted for products containing no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g.
If several people eat the same biscuits, the pack size and portion size can help you decide whether a pack suits your needs. Also compare the nutritional values per 100 g, as advised by the Voedingscentrum when comparing food labels.
If someone has a relevant allergy or sweeteners are a concern, check each variety individually. Product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo shows that the biscuits mentioned contain different allergens and polyols.
First decide whether the biscuits really need to be sugar-free or whether you mainly want to avoid added sugars. Then check that the nutritional information, pack size and ingredients are suitable for everyone who will be eating them.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar-free or no added sugars | Read the claim and check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the sugar-free claim is only permitted for products containing no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. | If sugar-free is a strict requirement, I don’t want to rely on the word ‘zero’ only to find that the product contains more sugars. Around 33% of consumers give this strict claim check top priority. |
| Pack size and portions | Check the pack size, portion size and storage instructions after opening. | When several family members eat the same biscuits, I want to choose a pack that suits our needs. For around 27% of consumers, planning is the top priority. |
| Nutritional value | Compare like-for-like biscuits per 100 g for sugars, energy, fibre, saturated fat and salt, as the Voedingscentrum advises when comparing food labels. | For a biscuit with breakfast, I want to look beyond the sugar content alone. Around 20% of consumers consider this broader comparison most important. |
| Sweeteners and allergens | Check the ingredients, allergens and any warning about polyols for each variety. | If someone at home needs to avoid an ingredient, I want to know before buying a stock-up supply. For around 20% of consumers, checking the ingredients matters most. |
No added sugars does not mean the same as sugar-free. For example, Albert Heijn lists Verkade San Francisco zero as containing 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g, despite its ‘0% added sugar’ label.
If sugar-free is a strict requirement, check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g alongside the wording on the front of the pack. Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the limit is 0.5 g per 100 g.
A sugar-free claim doesn’t tell you about the rest of the nutritional profile. For AH Digestive 0% suiker, Albert Heijn lists 465 kcal per 100 g, alongside 0.3 g of sugars.
Also compare like-for-like biscuits per 100 g for energy, fibre, saturated fat and salt.
Biscuits low in sugars may contain polyols and allergens. The Céréal speculoos variety listed by Jumbo contains, among other things, almonds, milk, eggs, soya and wheat. Product information for some varieties also warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Check the ingredients and warnings for the exact variety before choosing a pack for several family members.
These product examples show why you should check the claim, pack size and ingredients for each variety; they do not represent a brand’s entire range.
AH Digestive 0% suiker comes in a 400 g pack for households looking to buy a larger quantity of the same biscuits.
The biscuits mentioned as having no sugars include a 132 g coconut variety and a 110 g speculoos and almond variety.
San Francisco zero is an example for anyone specifically looking for biscuits with no added sugars.
No. Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the sugar-free claim is only permitted for products containing no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g; no added sugars does not mean that the product contains no sugars at all. Albert Heijn lists Verkade San Francisco zero as containing 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g.
Compare like-for-like biscuits using the nutritional information per 100 g, so different portion sizes don’t skew the comparison. The Voedingscentrum recommends comparing food labels on this basis; then consider which portion size suits your household.
A sugar-free claim only tells you about the sugar content under the conditions of the claim, not the rest of the nutritional value or the role biscuits play in breakfast. So, when comparing like-for-like biscuits, also check energy, fibre, saturated fat and salt per 100 g.
Check the ingredients and warning on the exact pack before buying a larger quantity. Product information for the AH and Céréal varieties mentioned lists polyols; some varieties warn that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Check the allergens at the same time, as they vary from one biscuit to another.
Follow the storage instructions for the specific product. For AH Digestive 0% suiker, Albert Heijn says the biscuits should be stored in a sealed tin after opening.
