For a study break, first choose a biscuit with an explicit sugar-free claim and check the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g. Then compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per biscuit, as well as the ingredients and allergens. A low sugar value doesn’t tell you everything about what’s in it, and some varieties contain polyols.
You’re looking for a biscuit with a clear sugar-free claim, so you also compare the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre states that this claim means no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g.
You want to know which sweeteners a biscuit contains and how much energy a portion provides, so you can compare packs of different sizes.
You check the ingredients and allergens for each variety, even when the packaging says ‘sugar-free’. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens must be clearly listed on the label.
Start with the sugar claim, then compare portions, ingredients and allergens. Only consider flavour and packaging once a biscuit meets your main requirements.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar claim | Read the exact claim and check the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘sugar-free’ means no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. | If I want to choose a strictly sugar-free option, I don’t want to rely just on the front of the pack. For around 33% of consumers, checking the sugar claim comes first. |
| Sweeteners and portion size | Check the ingredients for polyols and compare the energy per biscuit and per 100 g. Look out for any warning about excessive consumption. | For a planned study break, I want to know what’s in one biscuit and which sweeteners it contains. For around 27% of consumers, portion size and sweeteners matter most. |
| Allergens | Check the current packaging for the ingredients, highlighted allergens and any warnings about cross-contamination. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, the allergen information matters more than the flavour or sugar claim. Around 20% of consumers put this check first. |
| Flavour and packaging | Only choose between flavours and pack formats once you’ve compared the label information you need. | If several biscuits meet my requirements, I want a flavour and pack that suit my study break. For around 20% of consumers, this is the deciding factor. |
A sugar-free claim doesn’t tell you anything by itself about energy, fat or salt. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, AH Digestive 0% sugar contains 465 kcal per 100 g.
As well as sugars, compare energy, saturated fat, fibre and salt per 100 g, and consider how many biscuits you count as a portion.
A product with no added sugars may still contain sugars that occur naturally in the product. This is not the same as saying ‘sugar-free’.
Read the full claim and check the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g.
Biscuits with a low sugar value may contain polyols. Albert Heijn and Jumbo product information includes a warning for certain varieties that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Read the ingredients and the warning on the specific pack before choosing a portion.
Allergens vary between biscuits and flavours. A sugar-free claim doesn’t tell you whether a product contains, for example, wheat, milk or nuts.
Before eating, check the current packaging, including the ingredients and any warnings about cross-contamination.
AH Digestive 0% sugar is a biscuit option for anyone looking for an explicit sugar claim.
Céréal offers biscuit varieties marketed as ‘sugar-free’, including coconut and speculoos with almond.
Lotus Bakeries describes Biscoff as a crunchy biscuit with a caramelised flavour. That makes it a flavour reference, not a sugar-free claim.
Sondey is a biscuit and snack brand in Lidl Netherlands’ range.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a ‘sugar-free’ claim on a biscuit means it contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. ‘No added sugars’ doesn’t mean the same thing: a product may still contain sugars that occur naturally.
No, the claim relates to sugar, not the overall nutritional value. Also compare energy, fat, fibre and salt per 100 g, and consider the portion you plan to eat.
Certain biscuits containing polyols carry a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Read the ingredients and the warning on the packaging of the variety you choose.
Yes. A sugar-free claim tells you nothing about allergens. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority lists 14 allergens that must be declared on labels; check the current packaging for the specific variety.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging. For AH Digestive 0% sugar, Albert Heijn recommends storing the biscuits in a cool, dark and dry place and putting them in a sealed tin once opened.
