Check the exact sugar claim and the nutritional information per 100 g. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, a biscuit labelled ‘sugar-free’ may contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g, while ‘no added sugars’ does not mean that it contains no sugars at all. For a road trip, portion packaging, polyols and allergens matter too; a low sugar content doesn’t automatically make a biscuit suitable for every passenger.
You’re looking for biscuits labelled sugar-free and want to check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises comparing products on the same basis; the threshold for the claim is set out in EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
You want to share biscuits between passengers without taking a large, opened pack with you. Check the individual packaging: for example, Jumbo lists Céréal Kokos as 3 × 4 biscuits.
You’re mindful of allergens or how you personally react to polyols. Check the ingredients and warnings for the exact variety you’re considering, not just the sugar claim on the front of the pack.
First, decide which sugar claim you’re looking for. Then compare the packaging and ingredients of biscuits that meet your needs, to make sure they’re practical for your road trip too.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar claim | Check for ‘sugar-free’ and the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the threshold for this claim is no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. | If I stick to a strict sugar limit, I don’t want to rely on ‘no added sugars’ alone. This is the main consideration for around 33% of consumers. |
| Polyols | Check the ingredients list for polyols such as maltitol or isomalt, and look out for any warning on the packaging. | On a long journey, I want to consider how I react to these ingredients. Around 27% of consumers give this the highest priority. |
| Portions and packaging | Compare the number of biscuits in each individual pack and the storage advice for an opened pack. | I want to share biscuits without leaving an opened pack loose in the car. This is the most important consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
| Allergens and dietary requirements | Check the allergens, any ‘may contain’ statement and the dietary information you need on the current packaging. | If someone in the car needs to avoid certain ingredients, the variety you choose must be suitable for them. Around 20% of consumers put this check first. |
The claims don’t mean the same thing. Verkade says San Francisco Zero contains no added sugars, but it still has 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g. That’s above the threshold for the ‘sugar-free’ claim under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
If that threshold is essential for you, check the exact claim and the nutritional information per 100 g.
The varieties discussed also contain polyols. Albert Heijn warns that AH Digestive 0% suiker may have a laxative effect if eaten in excess.
Check the ingredients list and any warnings before setting off, especially if you know you react to polyols.
A sugar claim says nothing about allergens. Depending on the variety, the biscuits discussed may contain ingredients including wheat, almonds, egg, milk or soya.
Check the allergens and any ‘may contain’ statement on the packaging of the exact product you’re taking with you.
A large pack needs different handling after opening from a pack with individually wrapped portions. Albert Heijn advises storing AH Digestive 0% suiker in a sealed container once opened.
Check the inner packaging and, if needed, put a portion in a resealable container before you leave.
Two biscuit varieties to compare if you want to check sugar levels and individually wrapped portions.
A supermarket own-brand option if you want to assess a larger pack of digestive biscuits and its stated dietary information.
Another option if you’re looking for no added sugars but don’t need the strict ‘sugar-free’ claim.
No. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, a biscuit labelled ‘sugar-free’ may contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g; ‘no added sugars’ doesn’t rule out sugars that occur naturally. Check both the ingredients list and the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutritional information per 100 g.
This warning may relate to polyols in the product. Albert Heijn states that AH Digestive 0% suiker may have a laxative effect if eaten in excess. Check the ingredients and warnings for your chosen variety before taking it on a long journey.
Follow the storage advice on your biscuits’ packaging. For AH Digestive 0% suiker, Albert Heijn advises storing the biscuits in a cool, dark, dry place and keeping them in a sealed container once opened. Setting aside a portion beforehand may be more convenient in the car.
Check the ingredients, highlighted allergens and any ‘may contain’ statement on the current packaging of the exact variety. Depending on the product, the biscuits discussed may contain ingredients including wheat, almonds, egg, milk and soya; the sugar claim won’t tell you whether these are present.
