If sugar-free is an absolute must for Mother’s Day, only choose a biscuit whose nutritional information lists no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. The Kano biscuits from Albert Heijn and Jumbo, and Aviateur’s from PLUS, discussed here do not meet that criterion. Verkade San Francisco Zero is a biscuit with no added sugars, but at 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g, it is not a sugar-free Kano.
You’re looking for a biscuit for Mother’s Day breakfast or coffee that genuinely meets the sugar-free criterion. Check the sugars per 100 g in the nutritional information; a name containing ‘zero’ isn’t enough.
A biscuit with no added sugars is an option for you, even if it still contains sugars. You’re happy to choose a different biscuit from a filled Kano and compare the nutritional information and ingredients again.
For Mother’s Day, you mainly want to serve a biscuit filled with almond paste, and don’t need it to be sugar-free. Compare the sugars per 100 g, portion size and allergen information for the variety you choose.
First decide whether sugar-free is an absolute must for your Mother’s Day occasion, or whether a biscuit with no added sugars or a classic Kano would also work. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets the limit for a ‘sugar-free’ claim at no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g; ‘no added sugars’ is a different claim.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Strictly sugar-free | Check that the nutritional information lists no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g; don’t rely on ‘zero’ or ‘sugar-conscious’ alone. | If sugar-free is an absolute must for the recipient, you won’t want to bring a biscuit that doesn’t meet the requirement. Around 46% of consumers put this requirement first. |
| No added sugars | Compare the sugars per 100 g and per portion, and check the ingredients and any warnings. | If you’re happy to choose a different biscuit from a Kano for coffee, you can look for a ‘no added sugars’ claim without confusing it with sugar-free. Around 36% of consumers put this alternative first. |
| Classic Kano | Check the sugars per 100 g, portion size and ingredients of the almond-paste-filled variety. | If a filled Kano is part of your Mother’s Day occasion and sugar-free isn’t essential, keeping that biscuit matters more. This is the main consideration for around 18% of consumers. |
Verkade lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g for San Francisco Zero. That’s above the limit of 0.5 g per 100 g that the Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets for a ‘sugar-free’ claim.
If you have a strict requirement, use the sugars per 100 g on the current packaging to make your decision.
The claim relates to added sugars; it doesn’t, in itself, tell you about the energy content or portion size.
Compare sugars, energy and portion size separately in the nutritional information.
Verkade San Francisco Zero contains maltitols; Jumbo warns that excessive consumption of this product may have a laxative effect. Ingredients and allergens vary between Kano varieties.
Read the current packaging before serving, especially if you’re choosing for several people or need to take allergens into account.
San Francisco Zero is a biscuit with no added sugars, not a Kano filled with almond paste.
AH Roomboter kano’s are a standard Kano variety filled with almond paste.
Jumbo Kano’s met Roomboter are filled biscuits; Jumbo also lists Verkade San Francisco Zero as a biscuit with no added sugars.
PLUS lists Aviateur Kano biscuits as biscuits filled with almond paste.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a ‘sugar-free’ claim means no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. ‘No added sugars’ means something different: no sugars or other foods have been added for their sweetening properties, but the product may still contain sugars.
No, the varieties discussed here do not meet the sugar-free criterion set by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Albert Heijn lists 39 g of sugars per 100 g for AH Roomboter kano’s, Jumbo lists 36.8 g for Kano’s met Roomboter, and PLUS lists 37.6 g for Aviateur Kano biscuits.
Only if you don’t need a Kano filled with almond paste and ‘no added sugars’ is enough for you. San Francisco Zero is a biscuit; Verkade lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g, so it isn’t sugar-free according to the limit set by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
Before serving Verkade San Francisco Zero, read the ingredients and warning on the packaging. The product contains maltitols, and Jumbo notes that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Check the allergen information for the exact variety you’re serving. For the Kano biscuits discussed here, relevant allergens include wheat or gluten, soya, milk and almond; information about egg and possible traces varies by product. So read the current packaging, especially if you’re buying for someone with an allergy.
