Who is this for?

If you’re looking for strictly sugar-free biscuits

You want the total sugar content to stay within the limit for a ‘sugar-free’ claim. A statement about no added sugar on the front of the pack isn’t enough for you.

If you’re ordering biscuits for breakfast or with coffee

You want to compare nutritional values, portion size and packaging as well as sugars before adding biscuits to your online shop.

If you need to check ingredients carefully

You check sweeteners and polyols, or need to find out which allergens a specific biscuit variety contains.

What should you look for when choosing?

If sugar-free is a strict requirement, start with the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. Then check whether the ingredients and nutritional values suit when you plan to eat the biscuits.

What to look for What should you check? Who is this important for?
Sugar-free or no added sugar Read the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the ‘sugar-free’ claim is limited to a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. If I want to order strictly sugar-free biscuits, I want to know the total amount of sugars in them, whatever the wording on the front of the pack. For around 42% of consumers, this is the top priority.
Sweeteners and allergens Check the ingredients, any polyols listed and the allergens in your chosen variety; don’t rely on the sugar claim alone. If a biscuit contains sweeteners, I want to know which ingredients it contains, especially if I plan to eat several or need to avoid allergens. For around 33% of consumers, this check is the top priority.
Nutritional value and portion size Compare energy and fibre per 100 g with the portion size, and check the latest product information just before ordering. For breakfast or a coffee break, I want to know what a typical portion contains, even if the biscuit is sugar-free. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this comparison.

Common mistakes

  • Taking ‘0% added sugar’ to mean ‘sugar-free’

    These claims mean different things. Albert Heijn states that Verkade San Francisco Zero has 0% added sugar, but also contains 1.7 g of total sugars per 100 g. That’s above the threshold for the ‘sugar-free’ claim under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.

    If you’re buying strictly sugar-free biscuits, always check the total sugars per 100 g in the nutrition table.

  • Assuming a sugar-free biscuit is automatically low in energy

    The sugar claim doesn’t tell you the full nutritional value. Albert Heijn lists AH Digestive 0% suiker as containing 465 kcal per 100 g, with a portion size of 15 g.

    Compare the energy, fibre and portion size of the biscuits you’re considering.

  • Leaving sweetener and allergen checks until after delivery

    Some sugar-free biscuits contain polyols, which the Voedingscentrum says can cause digestive problems in large quantities. Allergens also vary between varieties.

    Before ordering, read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety, and look out for any warnings on the label.

  • Treating online product information as definitive

    Albert Heijn points out that product information can change. This matters if your choice depends on ingredients, nutritional values or allergens.

    Check the product page when you order, and read the packaging once your biscuits arrive.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

AH Digestive 0% suiker is one example to compare if you’re looking for strictly sugar-free biscuits.

  • Albert Heijn lists this biscuit as containing 0.3 g of sugars and 5.7 g of fibre per 100 g, with a portion size of 15 g.
  • The same variety contains wheat and polyols, provides 465 kcal per 100 g, and carries a warning about a possible laxative effect if eaten in excess.

Céréal

The Zonder Suikers Kokos Smaak and Speculoos Stukjes Amandel varieties show why it’s important to read the label for each product, even within the same brand.

  • Jumbo lists 0 g of sugars per 100 g for Kokos Smaak and 0.4 g for Speculoos Stukjes Amandel.
  • Jumbo lists 18 g and 29 g of polyols per 100 g respectively. The allergens differ; the Speculoos variety contains, among other things, almonds, barley, egg, milk, soya and wheat.

Verkade

San Francisco Zero is an example for anyone mainly looking for a biscuit with no added sugar, rather than one that meets a strict sugar-free requirement.

  • Albert Heijn states that this variety has 0% added sugar.
  • The same product information lists 1.7 g of total sugars per 100 g and ingredients including wheat, milk and soya.

Related products

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘0% added sugar’ mean the same as ‘sugar-free’?

No. Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, a biscuit can carry the ‘sugar-free’ claim if it contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g; a product with no added sugar can still contain sugars. For example, Albert Heijn lists Verkade San Francisco Zero as containing 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g.

Does sugar-free also mean low in energy?

No. The sugar claim says nothing about the total energy content. Albert Heijn lists AH Digestive 0% suiker as containing 465 kcal per 100 g, so compare the full nutritional values and portion size.

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

According to the Voedingscentrum, large quantities of polyols can cause digestive problems. AH Digestive 0% suiker carries a warning about a possible laxative effect if eaten in excess. Check the ingredients and the warning on the packaging of the variety you choose.

Can I rely on the online product page for allergen information?

Check the packaging too once your biscuits arrive. Albert Heijn says that ingredients and allergen information can change, so the information on the product you receive is important when deciding whether to eat it.

How should I store an opened pack of sugar-free biscuits?

Store the biscuits in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container, as advised by the Voedingscentrum. When you use them, also check for any changes in smell, taste or texture.