Who is this choice relevant to?

Anyone who wants to serve strictly sugar-free biscuits

You’re looking for biscuits for your get-together that meet the threshold for the sugar-free claim. A pack labelled ‘no added sugars’ isn’t enough on its own.

Anyone who likes serving spritz biscuits

You want to put familiar spritz biscuits on the table, while knowing when you’ll need a separate sugar-free alternative.

Anyone choosing for guests with different needs

You take the ingredients and allergens in each biscuit into account, as well as any warnings on products containing polyols such as maltitol.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide whether sugar-free is an absolute requirement. Then compare the ingredients and allergens in suitable alternatives, and decide whether you’d also like to serve ordinary spritz biscuits for anyone who’s mainly after that familiar flavour.

What to consider What to check when buying Who should consider this?
Sugar-free or not Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the threshold for the sugar-free claim is no more than 0,5 g per 100 g for solid foods. If sugar-free is a requirement for my get-together, I don’t want to rely on a word such as ‘zero’ alone; around 40% of consumers prioritise an accurate sugar claim.
Allergens and polyols Check the current allergen information and, for biscuits containing maltitol, look for the warning about excessive consumption. When I’m hosting guests who need to consider ingredients, I want to know which biscuits I’m serving; allergens and polyols are the most important factors for around 30% of consumers.
Spritz flavour Decide whether you’re looking for traditional spritz biscuits or a sugar-free alternative. Verkade lists 24,2 g of sugars per 100 g for Nobo Sprits Original. With coffee or tea, I mainly want to serve the familiar flavour of spritz biscuits, even if they aren’t sugar-free; around 30% of consumers put that taste experience first.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘no added sugars’ means ‘sugar-free’

    The two claims have different requirements. Verkade lists 1,7 g of sugars per 100 g for San Francisco Zero, which is above the 0,5 g per 100 g threshold the Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets for the sugar-free claim.

    If sugar-free is a must, compare the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g rather than relying on the wording on the front of the pack.

  • Confusing an alternative with traditional spritz biscuits

    Céréal’s coconut and speculoos biscuits are different types of biscuit. If you specifically want to serve spritz biscuits, they aren’t the same product.

    Present sugar-free biscuits as an alternative, and clearly separate any ordinary spritz biscuits you’re also serving.

  • Looking only at the sugar content

    A suitable sugar content doesn’t tell you whether the ingredients are suitable for every guest. PLUS also includes a warning that excessive consumption of the Céréal coconut biscuits may have a laxative effect.

    Read the allergen information and any warnings on the packaging before serving the biscuits.

  • Relying on the product page for your final check

    Ingredients, nutritional information and allergen details can change, as PLUS notes in its product information.

    So check the packaging of the product you actually buy, especially if a guest needs to avoid a particular ingredient.

Brands and retailer as a reference

Verkade

A reference point for both traditional spritz biscuits and a different biscuit with no added sugars.

  • According to Verkade, Nobo Sprits Original contains 24,2 g of sugars per 100 g. It’s an option if you’re looking for spritz biscuits, not for strictly sugar-free biscuits.
  • Verkade lists 1,7 g of sugars per 100 g for San Francisco Zero. ‘No added sugars’ doesn’t make this product sugar-free according to the threshold given by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.

Céréal

A reference point for coconut and speculoos biscuits as alternatives when the sugar-free claim is your priority.

  • PLUS lists 0 g of sugars per 100 g for Céréal coconut biscuits and 0,4 g per 100 g for the speculoos biscuits. Both figures are within the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s sugar-free threshold of no more than 0,5 g per 100 g.
  • They aren’t spritz biscuits. Check the allergens and maltitol information for each variety; the coconut biscuits carry a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

PLUS

A retailer reference for information about the Céréal biscuits mentioned and Verkade San Francisco Zero; it isn’t a separate biscuit brand in this comparison.

  • The product pages can help you compare the type of biscuit, ingredients and nutritional information for each variety.
  • PLUS notes that product information can change. Check the packaging of the product you choose before serving it.

Biscuits on Joybuy

Related products will appear soon.

Frequently asked questions

When can a biscuit be called sugar-free?

According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a solid food must contain no more than 0,5 g of sugars per 100 g to carry the sugar-free claim. Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g in the nutrition table.

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

No. A product with no added sugars can still contain sugars. Verkade lists 1,7 g of sugars per 100 g for San Francisco Zero, above the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s sugar-free threshold of no more than 0,5 g per 100 g.

What should I check on biscuits containing maltitol?

Read the ingredients, allergens and warnings for the variety you choose. PLUS notes that excessive consumption of the Céréal coconut biscuits may have a laxative effect; keep the packaging available so guests can read this information.

Can I serve ordinary spritz biscuits alongside a sugar-free alternative?

Yes, as long as you make it clear which is which. Don’t describe ordinary spritz biscuits as sugar-free: according to Verkade, Nobo Sprits Original contains 24,2 g of sugars per 100 g. Remember to take the allergen information for both products into account when serving them.