Label readers who want to limit sugar
You’re looking for a biscuit that can genuinely be described as sugar-free. That’s why you check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g, rather than relying on the wording on the front of the pack.
Who is this relevant to?
Fans of a little biscuit break
With a cup of coffee or tea, you mainly want to know what one biscuit counts as a portion. The nutritional information per biscuit can help, alongside the figures per 100 g.
Consumers who check sweeteners
You want to limit sugar, but also check which sweeteners or polyols, such as maltitol, the biscuit contains and what warnings are on the packaging.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether ‘sugar-free’ is a must for you, or whether you mainly want to avoid added sugars. Then compare the ingredients and nutritional values on the same basis, both per 100 g and for the portion you plan to have.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar-free or no added sugars | Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, a product labelled ‘sugar-free’ must contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. | For my afternoon coffee, I want a biscuit that genuinely contains little sugar, not just a product with no added sugars. For around 42% of consumers, sugar content comes first. |
| Sweeteners and polyols | Check which sweeteners are listed in the ingredients and look out for any warnings on the packaging. | If I’m sensitive to polyols, I want to know what’s in the biscuit before choosing my portion. This is the deciding factor for around 33% of consumers. |
| Portion size and nutritional value | Compare energy, carbohydrates and fibre per 100 g and per portion; check saturated fat and salt too. | For my afternoon snack, I want to know what the portion adds to my diet, even if a biscuit contains little sugar. Around 25% of consumers prioritise portion size and overall nutritional value. |
Common mistakes
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Reading ‘no added sugars’ as ‘sugar-free’
These are different claims. 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; a product with no added sugars may still contain naturally occurring sugars.
Is sugar-free a must for you? Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g in the nutrition table.
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Comparing only the sugar content
A sugar figure of zero doesn’t tell you what else a biscuit contains. Céréal Netherlands lists 0 g of sugars for its coconut biscuits, but also 73 g of carbohydrates and 431 kcal per 100 g.
Compare the full nutritional information per 100 g, then work out what that means for the portion you plan to have.
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Skipping the ingredients list
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, any sweeteners used will be listed on the label. Products containing polyols may also carry a warning about a laxative effect if consumed in excess.
Check which sweeteners have been used and read any warnings before choosing a portion.
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Relying only on an online product description
Ingredients, allergens and nutritional values can change. That’s why Albert Heijn recommends checking the packaging itself.
Check the current packaging when you buy, especially if a particular ingredient or allergen affects your choice.
Brands to consider
Céréal
Céréal’s range includes coconut biscuits and speculoos biscuits with no sugars.
- For its coconut biscuits, Céréal Netherlands lists the following per 100 g: 0 g of sugars, 19 g of polyols, 5.1 g of fibre and 431 kcal.
- A sugar figure of zero doesn’t tell you how much carbohydrate, polyols or energy you’ll get per portion.
Verkade
San Francisco Zero is a biscuit with no added sugars.
- Verkade lists 12.9 kcal and 0.05 g of sugars per biscuit.
- At 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g, it is not sugar-free according to the nutritional information provided. The product contains maltitols, wheat, milk and soya.
Albert Heijn
AH Digestive 0% suiker is a biscuit in Albert Heijn’s range.
- The product name makes it one to consider if you’re watching your sugar intake.
- Don’t assume what the nutritional value is from ‘0%’ in the name. Albert Heijn recommends checking the current packaging for ingredients, nutritional values and allergens.
Related products on Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
When can a biscuit be called ‘sugar-free’?
Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, a biscuit can be labelled ‘sugar-free’ if it contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. So check the ‘of which sugars’ row; ‘zero’ in a product name is not, by itself, nutritional information.
Do biscuits with no added sugars contain no sugar at all?
Not necessarily. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the claim excludes added sugars and ingredients added for their sweetening properties, but not naturally occurring sugars. For example, Verkade lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g for San Francisco Zero.
Why should I check for maltitol or xylitol in a sugar-free biscuit?
Maltitol and xylitol are polyols; the ingredients list shows whether a biscuit contains them. Read any warnings about excessive consumption too, and choose a portion that takes your own sensitivity into account.
Is a sugar-free biscuit automatically a suitable everyday afternoon snack?
No. The sugar claim alone doesn’t tell you enough about the overall nutritional value. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends checking the ingredients and nutrition table too. It also suggests options such as vegetables, fruit, unsalted nuts and wholemeal bread for between meals if you don’t specifically want a biscuit.