For a treat bag, choose a small biscuit whose sugar claim, ingredients and allergens fit the arrangements for the children. ‘No added sugars’ does not mean the same as ‘sugar-free’, so check ‘of which sugars’ on the label too. For biscuits containing polyols, keep the portion small because of the warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
You want to be able to hand out one biscuit per child, but first you need to know which treats the school or after-school club allows, and take any allergies or dietary requirements into account. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends checking this in advance and keeping treat portions small.
You want to know whether the packaging says ‘sugar-free’ or ‘no added sugars’. The nutritional information for the biscuits mentioned here shows why you should also check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and per portion.
You’re looking for a classic biscuit shape for a small treat. Check the ingredients too: the biscuits mentioned here use sugar substitutes and contain allergens or warnings about cereals containing gluten.
Start with the arrangements made by the school or after-school club, and the needs of the children you’re packing for. Then compare the sugar claims and only then decide which biscuit will be practical to divide between the children.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens and school arrangements | Ask which treats are allowed and check the current allergen information on the packaging. | When I’m packing for a class, I want to avoid giving a child a biscuit that doesn’t suit their dietary requirements or the school’s arrangements. For around 42% of consumers, this check comes first. |
| Sugar claim | Check whether it says ‘sugar-free’ or ‘no added sugars’, and compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. | I want the sugar claim to match what I’m looking for, rather than relying on wording on the front of the pack that simply sounds right. Around 33% of consumers give this distinction top priority. |
| Portion and dividing them up | Check how many biscuits are in the pack, the portion size and any warnings about polyols. | For my treat bags, I want to choose a small amount that’s easy to divide equally. This is the main consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
‘No added sugars’ does not rule out sugars that are naturally present. The listing for Verkade San Francisco zero mentions both and gives a sugar content of 1.7 g per 100 g.
Read the exact claim, compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and check the ingredients before choosing a biscuit.
The Albert Heijn, Céréal and Verkade biscuits mentioned here contain wheat or cereals containing gluten; some also list milk, egg, soya or nuts. A sugar claim tells you nothing about these ingredients.
Ask about allergies and dietary requirements in the group, and check the current packaging of the product you’ve chosen before buying.
The products mentioned here that contain polyols carry a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, large amounts of polyols can cause digestive problems.
Choose a small portion and read the warning on the packaging, rather than using the sugar claim as a reason to give a larger portion.
A school or after-school club may have arrangements that mean edible treats aren’t suitable.
Ask in advance what’s allowed and how many children you’re packing for. If the policy doesn’t allow edible treats, choose something that fits the arrangements instead.
Otherwise, you could be left with an unused pack.
According to Albert Heijn’s product listing, AH Digestive 0% Sugar is a biscuit made with sweeteners, sold in a 400 g pack.
Albert Heijn lists Céréal Speculoos almond pieces with no sugars as a pack of 10 biscuits.
Verkade San Francisco zero is a thin biscuit labelled ‘0% added sugar’.
No. According to Albert Heijn’s product listing, Verkade San Francisco zero contains naturally occurring sugars, despite the ‘0% added sugar’ claim. Check the exact claim and ‘of which sugars’ on the current label.
Ask about any allergies and dietary requirements in the group, and what arrangements the school or after-school club has in place. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends checking this in advance; then check the allergen information on the packaging of the product you buy.
The warning relates to the polyols in the product and excessive consumption. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that large amounts of polyols can cause digestive problems. So read the warning and keep the treat portion small.
If so, don’t choose biscuits for the class treat; follow the school’s arrangements instead. Ask in advance how you’re allowed to celebrate, so you don’t end up with a pack you’ve already bought and can’t use.
