Parents who read sugar claims carefully
You want to understand what the wording on the front of the pack means, so you also check the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutritional information.
Who are these choices relevant to?
Parents who need to follow allergy rules
You check the allergens on the current packaging and the class’s rules before packing a biscuit.
Families considering a biscuit for when they’re out and about
You’re looking for a convenient portion to take with you, but you also want to know which sweeteners it contains and whether a biscuit fits into the school day.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start by checking the exact sugar claim. Before packing the biscuit, make sure the specific product complies with the school’s allergy rules.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens and school rules | Check the allergens and any ‘may contain’ statement on the current packaging, and ask what rules apply in the class. | If my child or their class has an allergy rule, I need to know whether this particular biscuit is allowed. This is the most important check for around 36% of consumers. |
| What the sugar claim means | Compare the exact claim with the ‘of which sugars’ figures per 100 g and per portion. | I want to be able to tell the difference between ‘sugar-free’ and ‘no added sugars’, so the packaging doesn’t promise more than I intend to buy. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this clarity. |
| Portion size and nutritional information | Check the portion size and compare energy, saturated fat, salt and fibre as well as sugars. | If it’s for a regular school break, I want to decide where a biscuit fits among other snacks. Around 21% of consumers prioritise this consideration. |
| Sweeteners and polyols | Check the ingredients and warnings, particularly if the product contains maltitol or other polyols. | During a long school day, I want to take account of the warning on some biscuits about excessive consumption. This is the main concern for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Taking ‘no added sugars’ to mean ‘sugar-free’
A biscuit with no added sugars may still contain sugars that occur naturally. Albert Heijn, for example, points this out for Verkade San Francisco zero.
Check the exact claim, then compare the ‘of which sugars’ figures per 100 g and per portion.
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Using the sugar claim to judge the whole snack
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that sugar-free biscuits can be high in energy and low in nutrients. So the sugar claim doesn’t tell you what else is in a portion you pack.
Decide whether you’re looking for an occasional biscuit and check the full nutritional information. For children aged 4 to 12, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre also suggests vegetables and fruit as snacks.
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Overlooking allergens or the school’s rules
A biscuit chosen with sugar in mind may still contain wheat, milk or soya, for example. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be clearly listed on prepacked food labels. However, the label won’t tell you what rules apply in a particular class.
Check the packaging of the specific product and ask the school what you’re allowed to pack.
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Packing a large portion containing polyols without reading the label
Some biscuits containing maltitol or other polyols carry a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Albert Heijn includes this type of warning for Verkade San Francisco zero.
Check the ingredients and warnings, and use the product’s portion information to decide how much to pack.
Brands compared
The examples below show why you should compare the packaging of a specific biscuit, rather than looking at the brand name alone.
Céréal
Jumbo lists various Céréal biscuits without sugars, including coconut and sesame and vanilla varieties.
- For the sesame and vanilla variety, Jumbo lists 0 g sugars and 17 g polyols per 100 g.
- These product-specific figures don’t apply to every Céréal biscuit. For this variety, also check for wheat, sesame and any other allergens, as well as the warning about excessive consumption.
Verkade
Verkade San Francisco zero is a biscuit-style snack that Albert Heijn markets with a claim about added sugar.
- For this product, Albert Heijn lists both naturally occurring sugars and maltitol, so you can compare the claim with the ingredients.
- According to Albert Heijn, the product contains wheat, milk and soya, and carries a warning about excessive consumption. Check the current packaging and the school’s rules.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn also lists AH Digestive 0% sugar in its biscuit range.
- The product listing gives you a specific biscuit whose claim and nutritional information you can compare.
- Albert Heijn says that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information may change. Before eating, check the packaging of the product you’ve bought.
Related products on Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘sugar-free’ mean a biscuit contains no sugars at all?
No, don’t rely on the name alone. ‘Sugar-free’ and ‘no added sugars’ are different claims; the latter may still mean the biscuit contains sugars that occur naturally. So check the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutritional information for the specific product.
Is a sugar-free biscuit suitable as a regular school snack?
The sugar claim alone isn’t a reason to choose a biscuit as a regular snack. Check the portion size and full nutritional information. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre suggests vegetables and fruit as snacks for children aged 4 to 12.
Should I read the label again if I’ve bought the same biscuit before?
Yes, check the current packaging, especially if there are allergy rules to follow. Albert Heijn says that ingredients and allergen information may change. Also check which rules apply at school.
What should I do if there’s a warning about a laxative effect?
Take the warning about excessive consumption into account when deciding on the portion size. Some biscuits containing maltitol or other polyols carry this warning, including the Verkade San Francisco zero described by Albert Heijn. Read the instructions on the pack before giving your child the biscuit.