Who should pay particular attention to these checks?

Shoppers looking for a strict sugar claim

You want a biscuit labelled ‘sugar-free’ or ‘no sugars’, rather than accidentally choosing a product that only says ‘reduced sugar’.

Travellers keeping an eye on polyols

You check the sweeteners and any warning on the packaging. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, large amounts of polyols can cause digestive problems.

Travellers short on time at Schiphol Plaza

You’re looking for a packaged snack before security and want to read the label before paying.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the exact sugar claim. Then check that the ingredients, allergens and place of purchase suit what matters to you before you set off.

What to check Check when buying Who it matters to
Sugar claim Read the exact claim and compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘no added sugars’ does not automatically mean sugar-free. If I’m looking for a sugar-free biscuit, I don’t want to end up with one that only contains less sugar. For around 36% of consumers, that strict claim is the top priority.
Sweeteners and polyols Check the ingredients for sweeteners such as maltitol, and read any warnings about a laxative effect. Before a flight, I want to know which sweeteners are in my biscuit, especially if I’m sensitive to polyols. This is the main concern for around 29% of consumers.
Allergens Read the allergen information on the packaging. If the product is unpackaged, ask for the allergen information. A suitable sugar claim isn’t enough if I need to avoid certain ingredients. Around 21% of consumers make this check their priority.
Buying before security Check which packaged products are available on Schiphol Plaza and read the label in store. When I’m short on time before security, I want to find and check a product without relying on an online range. For around 14% of consumers, this practical question about where to buy it matters most.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing ‘reduced sugar’ with ‘sugar-free’

    According to Jumbo’s product information, Ontbijtkoek Minder Suiker contains 30% less sugar than the reference product, but still has 22.7 g of sugars per 100 g. A relative reduction does not mean the product is sugar-free.

    Check the exact claim and the amount of ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g.

  • Looking only at the sugar content

    Albert Heijn’s product information lists 465 kcal and 20 g of fat per 100 g for AH Digestive 0% suiker, as well as 0.3 g of sugars. The sugar claim doesn’t tell you everything about the nutritional value.

    Compare products on the same basis, and also check the portion size and any other nutritional values that matter to you.

  • Overlooking the warning about polyols

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, large amounts of polyols can cause digestive problems. Bear this in mind if you choose biscuits containing these sweeteners shortly before a flight.

    Read the ingredients and any warning on the packaging. If you know you’re sensitive to polyols, take the amount you eat into account.

  • Assuming the online range matches the shelves at Schiphol

    Schiphol lists Albert Heijn locations on Plaza, but an online product page won’t tell you which specific biscuit is available there at that moment.

    Check availability in store and read the current packaging.

Brands and product ranges compared

Albert Heijn

Schiphol lists one Albert Heijn and two Albert Heijn to go locations on Plaza, before security. AH Digestive 0% suiker is an example of a product for which Albert Heijn publishes nutritional and ingredient information online.

  • The product information lists 0.3 g of sugars and 14 g of polyols per 100 g for AH Digestive 0% suiker.
  • Check in store whether this biscuit is available and read the current packaging. Albert Heijn says that product information may change.

Céréal

The Céréal biscuits with speculoos flavour and almond pieces listed by Jumbo are an example of a product labelled ‘no sugars’ and sweeteners.

  • The product information lists 0.4 g of sugars and 29 g of polyols per 100 g for this product.
  • Check the allergens on the packaging, including almonds, soya, egg, milk, barley and wheat. The online product information doesn’t tell you whether the product is available at Schiphol.

Jumbo

Jumbo Ontbijtkoek Minder Suiker shows why a claim about reducing sugar is different from a sugar-free claim. Ontbijtkoek is also a type of spiced cake, not a biscuit.

  • According to Jumbo, this spiced cake contains 30% less sugar than the reference product.
  • The product information still lists 22.7 g of sugars per 100 g, so don’t choose it if you’re specifically looking for a sugar-free claim.

ALDI

The spiced cake products on ALDI Netherlands’ product pages illustrate the difference between ‘no added sugars’ and ‘reduced sugar’.

  • ALDI describes Koek & Bakker Gesneden Ontbijtkoek Zero as having ‘no added sugars’ and also offers Goud Gebakken Koekhappers as a product with 30% less sugar.
  • Neither description confirms that the product is sugar-free or sold at Schiphol.

A Joybuy product to consider

This product has a sugar-free claim in its title. If you’re specifically looking for a biscuit to buy at Schiphol, check the product type on the packaging and don’t assume it will be available at the airport.

Klene Sugar-Free Lavender Biscuits, 110 g pack

Klene Sugar-Free Lavender Biscuits, 110 g

A good option if you’re looking for a product with a sugar-free claim and want to check the sweeteners. The ingredients list maltitol syrup and steviol glycosides. The description also mentions liquorice: check the packaging to confirm that the product is indeed biscuits, and read the nutritional information, the basis for the polyol value and the allergen information.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘no added sugars’ mean the same as sugar-free?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a product with no added sugars may still contain sugars that occur naturally. So also check ‘of which sugars’ in the nutritional information per 100 g.

Where can I look for a packaged biscuit at Schiphol before security?

You can check the range at Albert Heijn on Plaza. Schiphol lists one Albert Heijn and two Albert Heijn to go locations there, before security. Check in store whether a biscuit with the claim you want is available.

What should I check if a biscuit contains maltitol and I’m about to fly?

Read the ingredients and any warning about a laxative effect, and bear in mind how much you eat. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, large amounts of polyols can cause digestive problems.

How can I check allergens in an unpackaged snack at Schiphol?

Ask a member of staff for the allergen information for that specific product. Schiphol says that shops selling prepared food have allergen information available. A sugar claim doesn’t tell you which allergens the product contains.

Is the online nutritional information enough to help me choose?

Use it to compare products in advance, but read the current packaging before you buy. Albert Heijn warns that ingredients, nutritional values and allergy information may change.