A sugar-free biscuit is only a suitable choice for a school fair if it meets the school’s rules and you can check the allergens and portion sizes for the group. Under the EU rules on nutrition claims, published by EUR-Lex, a biscuit can only be called sugar-free if it contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g; this tells you nothing about the allergens or sweeteners it contains. So check the school’s rules before you buy, and read the current packaging before handing out the biscuits.
You’ll want to know in advance which biscuits can be handed out under the school’s rules and which allergens matter to the group. The Voedingscentrum recommends taking account of children with allergies. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for prepacked biscuits is shown on the label.
You’ll want to check the claim on the front against the nutritional information and find out which sweeteners have been used. Sugar-free and no added sugars do not mean the same thing.
You’re looking for a biscuit with a clear pack count and portion size, so you can plan how to hand them out. Even a small biscuit must meet the same school rules and allergen checks.
Start by checking what the school allows, then compare the nutritional information and how practical the biscuits are to hand out. A sugar claim alone doesn’t tell you whether a biscuit is suitable for the group.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens and school rules | Ask which biscuits and packaging are allowed. Check the current pack for ingredients, allergens and any warnings about possible traces. | When I’m handing out biscuits to a group, I first want to know whether the children can take part under the school’s rules and allergy guidance. This is the top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Sugars and sweeteners | Compare the amount of sugars per 100 g and check which sweeteners have been used. Check the rest of the nutritional information too. | I want to choose a biscuit with an appropriate amount of sugars without confusing sugar-free with no added sugars. This distinction is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Portions and handing out | Check the number of biscuits, the portion size and whether the permitted packaging is practical. | When handing them out, I want to be able to count the portions and keep them small; the Voedingscentrum recommends small portions for treats. This is the most important buying criterion for around 25% of consumers. |
The EU sugar-free claim relates to the amount of sugars, not allergens or the overall nutritional value. For example, Jumbo lists wheat as an ingredient in Céréal Zonder Suikers Kokos.
As well as the amount of sugars, check the ingredients, allergens, energy and portion size on the current packaging.
Jumbo lists 18 g of polyols per 100 g for Céréal Zonder Suikers Kokos. Albert Heijn warns that excessive consumption of AH Digestive 0% suiker may have a laxative effect.
Check the warnings on the pack you choose and make sure small portions are in line with the school’s rules.
A school may have its own rules for treats and celebrations. So not every biscuit you can buy will be a suitable choice for this fair.
Before buying, ask the organiser which products, allergen information, packaging and portion sizes are allowed.
No added sugars is a different claim. For example, an Albert Heijn recipe made with dates lists 6 g of sugars per portion and contains ingredients including almond flour and egg.
Describe homemade biscuits by listing the ingredients used and share the allergen information. Don’t call them sugar-free unless you can substantiate the claim.
Céréal has biscuit varieties that Jumbo describes as having no sugars, including Kokos and Speculoos met amandel.
AH Digestive 0% suiker is a supermarket own-brand biscuit you can compare for its sugar claims, sweeteners and portion size.
Lotus Bakeries describes Biscoff as a crisp, caramelised biscuit. It’s a flavour reference, not a product you can call sugar-free based on the brand name alone.
Under the EU rules on nutrition claims, published by EUR-Lex, a biscuit can only be called sugar-free if it contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. Also check the ingredients and full nutritional information: the claim tells you nothing about allergens or the sweeteners used.
No, a biscuit with no added sugars may still contain sugars. An Albert Heijn recipe made with dates lists 6 g of sugars per portion, so check both the claim and the nutritional information for the product you’re planning to hand out.
Yes. Ask the school which allergies and treat rules are relevant to the group, then check the label against them. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for prepacked products is shown on the label. For homemade biscuits, you should also be able to clearly share the ingredients used.
No. Plan a small portion and read the warnings on the pack. Albert Heijn says that excessive consumption of AH Digestive 0% suiker may have a laxative effect; the Voedingscentrum also recommends small portions for treats.
