Who is this choice relevant to?

If you’re looking for a strictly sugar-free option

You want the biscuit’s sugar content to fall within the limit for ‘sugar-free’. So compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g; a statement about added sugars alone doesn’t tell you this.

If you’re taking a biscuit on the train

You want a portion that fits in your bag and packaging and any crumbs that are easy to clear away. NS asks passengers to put their rubbish in a bin.

If you need to check the ingredients

As well as the sugar content, you want to know which sweeteners and allergens a particular biscuit contains. Check the ingredients, allergen information and any warnings on the packaging.

What should you look for when choosing?

If sugar-free is a must, start with the sugar content per 100 g. Then compare the ingredients, and finally consider how practical the portion will be on the go.

What to look for What to check before buying Who it matters most to
Sugars per 100 g Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutritional information. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘sugar-free’ means no more than 0.5 g per 100 g; ‘no added sugars’ is a different claim. If sugar-free is a must for me, I don’t want to rely solely on the word ‘zero’ on the front of the pack. Around 42% of consumers say this is the first thing they want to check.
Ingredients and allergens Check which sweeteners or polyols have been used, and read the allergen information and warnings for the variant you’ve chosen. If I need to avoid certain ingredients or consider what I can tolerate, the ingredients matter more than a low sugar content alone. This is the top priority for around 33% of consumers.
Portion and packaging Check the number of biscuits, the portion size, storage instructions and whether you can reseal the pack once it’s open. When I’m travelling, I want to be able to take a portion out of my bag without being left with an open packet or loose rubbish. This practical consideration comes first for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

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

    A biscuit can be sold with no added sugars and still contain sugars. Albert Heijn lists Verkade San Francisco zero as containing 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g, which is above the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s limit for ‘sugar-free’.

    If sugar-free is essential for you, always compare the sugar content per 100 g rather than relying only on the claim on the front of the pack.

  • Relying on the title of an online product listing

    A product name and its nutritional information don’t always match. The Joybuy page for Panpan oat biscuits uses ‘sugar-free’ in the title, but lists 11.7 g of sugars per 100 g.

    Open the nutritional information for the exact variant and check the ‘of which sugars’ figure before choosing it as a sugar-free option.

  • Looking only at the sugar content

    The sugar content doesn’t tell you which polyols or allergens a biscuit contains. Jumbo lists Céréal Kokos as containing 18 g of polyols per 100 g; Albert Heijn lists AH Digestive 0% suiker as containing 14 g per 100 g.

    Check the ingredients, allergens and warnings on the pack you’re buying, too.

  • Taking a large pack without planning how to manage it on the go

    An opened pack can be awkward to carry in a bag. NS asks passengers to put their rubbish in a bin.

    If needed, take a portion in a resealable container and keep the packaging until you find a bin.

Brands to consider

For all these brands, check the specific biscuit variant. A brand name alone tells you nothing about the sugar content or ingredients of the pack you choose.

Céréal

Céréal makes biscuit variants with different sugar contents, including Kokos Zonder Suikers and Choco Delight Minder Suikers.

  • Jumbo lists Kokos Zonder Suikers as containing 0 g of sugars per 100 g and Choco Delight Minder Suikers as containing 0.5 g per 100 g.
  • The same product information lists 18 g and 24 g of polyols per 100 g, respectively. Check the ingredients and allergens for your chosen variant, too.

Albert Heijn

AH Digestive 0% suiker is a supermarket own-brand biscuit with nutritional information per 100 g.

  • Albert Heijn lists 0.3 g of sugars and 5.7 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • Albert Heijn also lists 14 g of polyols per 100 g and wheat as an ingredient. Check the packaging when you buy it.

Verkade

Verkade San Francisco zero is marketed as a biscuit with no added sugars.

  • Albert Heijn describes this variant as having ‘0% added sugar’.
  • At 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g, this variant is above the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s limit for ‘sugar-free’. Check the allergens and the warning about excessive consumption, too.

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus Bakeries describes Biscoff as a crunchy biscuit with a caramelised flavour.

  • The range is known for this flavour and style of biscuit.
  • Check the nutritional information per 100 g on the specific pack before choosing it as a strictly sugar-free option.

Sondey (Lidl)

Lidl uses Sondey for a range of cookies, biscuits and other snacks.

  • You can compare different types of snacks in the range individually.
  • Check the exact biscuit variant for its sugar content and ingredients; the brand name doesn’t make a product sugar-free.

Biscuits at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

What does ‘sugar-free’ mean on a biscuit?

According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a product carrying the ‘sugar-free’ claim contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure on the pack to find out how much sugar your chosen biscuit contains.

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

No. A biscuit with no added sugars can still contain sugars. So if you’re specifically looking for a sugar-free biscuit, compare the sugar content per 100 g.

What should I check besides the sugar content?

Check the ingredients, allergens and any warnings for the specific variant. Some biscuits with a low sugar content contain polyols; the amount can vary from product to product.

How can I take biscuits on an NS train without making a mess?

Choose a portion and packaging that you can put away in your bag, even after opening the pack. NS asks passengers to put their rubbish in a bin, so keep the packaging until you find one.

Can I trust an online product title that says ‘sugar-free’?

Don’t rely on the title alone: compare it with the nutritional information for the exact biscuit. For example, the Joybuy page for Panpan oat biscuits lists 11.7 g of sugars per 100 g, despite using ‘sugar-free’ in the title.