Who is this relevant to?

Hosts keeping an eye on sugar

When putting together a sharing platter, you’ll want to compare what’s in each biscuit per 100 g and per biscuit, rather than relying solely on the claim on the front of the pack.

Guests checking ingredients and allergens

The biscuits mentioned have different ingredients and allergen information. Product details from Albert Heijn and Jumbo list wheat, milk or soya, depending on the product.

Anyone serving a biscuit with coffee or tea

As well as the nutritional information per 100 g, it’s useful to know the weight of each biscuit. This makes it easier to keep track of how much you’re serving.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, compare the sugar information per 100 g. Then check whether the ingredients and portion size are right for the people you’re serving.

What to look for What should you check? Who is this most important for?
Sugar content and claims Read the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g and distinguish between ‘sugar-free’ and ‘no added sugar’. I want to serve a biscuit with a stated sugar content that suits what I’m looking for, rather than relying only on the wording on the front of the pack. Sugar content is the most important factor for around 42% of consumers.
Polyols and allergens Check the ingredients, allergen information and warning about excessive consumption. If I’m serving several guests, I want to know which ingredients matter to them before putting out a platter. For around 33% of consumers, these checks take priority.
Portion and nutritional information Compare the nutritional information per 100 g, then check the weight and energy per biscuit. When serving biscuits with coffee or tea, I want to be able to estimate the amount per biscuit, even if the sugar content is low. Portion size is the first consideration for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘sugar-free’ means low in energy

    A low stated sugar content doesn’t tell you how much energy a biscuit provides. Albert Heijn lists 465 kcal per 100 g for AH Digestive 0% sugar.

    Compare the nutritional information per 100 g, then consider how many biscuits you want to serve.

  • Taking ‘0% added sugar’ to mean 0 g sugars

    According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Verkade San Francisco zero contains naturally occurring sugars: the nutritional information lists 1.7 g sugars per 100 g.

    When you see a claim like this, also check the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutritional information table.

  • Overlooking the warning about polyols

    Albert Heijn’s product information lists maltitol or isomalt in AH Digestive 0% sugar and Verkade San Francisco zero. Both products carry a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

    Check the warning before serving and keep the packaging handy for guests who want to read the ingredients.

  • Choosing by brand or flavour without checking allergens

    The allergens listed vary between biscuits: the product information lists wheat for AH Digestive 0% sugar; milk and soya, among other allergens, for Verkade San Francisco zero; and wheat, plus possible other allergens, for Céréal Zonder Suikers Kokos.

    Check the current packaging for the specific product before buying.

Relevant brands to compare

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn’s own-brand range includes AH Digestive 0% sugar, sold in a 400 g pack.

  • Albert Heijn lists 0.3 g sugars, 5.7 g fibre and 465 kcal per 100 g.
  • The product contains wheat, maltitol and isomalt. The product information warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

Céréal

Céréal Zonder Suikers Kokos biscuits come in a pack of 3 × 4.

  • Jumbo lists 0 g sugars and 18 g polyols per 100 g; each biscuit weighs 11 g and provides 47 kcal.
  • The product contains wheat and may contain other allergens. Check the packaging if you’re serving several guests.

Verkade

Verkade San Francisco zero is a small tea biscuit with the claim ‘0% added sugar’.

  • Albert Heijn lists a weight of around 8.6 g per biscuit and 401 kcal per 100 g.
  • The nutritional information lists 1.7 g sugars per 100 g. The product contains maltitol, milk, soya and wheat, among other ingredients; the packaging warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

Products at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘0% added sugar’ mean the same as 0 g sugars?

No. For Verkade San Francisco zero, Albert Heijn lists both the claim ‘0% added sugar’ and 1.7 g sugars per 100 g. So remember to check the nutritional information table too.

Why compare biscuits per 100 g and per biscuit?

Comparing products per 100 g lets you see how they measure up against each other, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. The weight per biscuit then helps you estimate how much you’re serving.

Can you serve low-sugar biscuits without limit?

Don’t assume so. Albert Heijn warns that excessive consumption of AH Digestive 0% sugar and Verkade San Francisco zero may have a laxative effect. Also consider the portion size and the full nutritional information.

Are classic Lotus Biscoff Speculoos biscuits a sugar-free alternative?

No. Albert Heijn’s product information lists sugar and candied syrup as ingredients in classic Lotus Biscoff Speculoos and gives a sugar content of 38 g per 100 g. These figures apply to this variety and shouldn’t automatically be assumed to apply to other products from the brand.