When shopping for vegan biscuits, only choose one if the latest nutritional information shows no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g and its vegan status is confirmed. According to the Diabetes Fund, this sugar level qualifies as sugar-free. An ingredients list that looks plant-based or a no added sugar claim does not prove that both conditions are met. Also check which sweeteners are used and consider your portion size.
You want both claims confirmed before buying a biscuit. According to the Diabetes Fund, sugar-free means no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. You’ll also want clear information about the ingredients and any animal-derived processing aids to confirm vegan status.
You’re looking for a biscuit with little sugar, but you also want to compare the nutritional values per 100 g and the sweetener used. A low sugar value on its own tells you nothing about the energy content.
You want to avoid sugar, so you also check whether a biscuit contains maltitol or other polyols. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that large quantities of polyols can cause digestive problems.
Start with the sugar value per 100 g and confirmation of vegan status. Then compare the sweetener and nutritional information of the biscuits that meet your requirements.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar-free and vegan | Check the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g and look for a vegan certification or explicit confirmation from the manufacturer, including for processing aids. | I don’t want to compromise on either requirement when choosing a biscuit; for around 50% of consumers, this combination is the top priority. |
| Sweetener and portion size | Check the ingredients for maltitol or other polyols, and read any warning on the packaging. | If I want to eat several biscuits, I want to take the sweetener used and my portion size into account. Around 30% of consumers give this consideration top priority. |
| Sugar claim on the front of the pack | Compare ‘no added sugars’ with the sugar value per 100 g, and check the ingredients separately to confirm vegan status. | I’m mainly looking for a plant-based option with no added sugars, and accept that it won’t always be sugar-free; this is the main consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
These claims don’t mean the same thing. Verkade San Francisco Zero is labelled ‘0% added sugar’, while Albert Heijn lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g for this product.
Check the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g. The Diabetes Fund sets the limit for sugar-free at no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g.
Céréal lists egg yolk powder and whole milk as ingredients in its sugar-free Speculoos biscuits with almond pieces. A sugar claim, then, doesn’t tell you whether a biscuit is vegan.
Check the latest ingredients list and, if in doubt, look for a vegan certification or ask the manufacturer about processing aids too.
Céréal lists 0 g of sugars in its sugar-free Coconut Biscuits, but they also contain 427 kcal and 18 g of polyols per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, large quantities of polyols can cause digestive problems.
Compare the nutritional values per 100 g and check which sweetener is used before deciding on your portion size.
The range includes sugar-free biscuits, but the ingredients vary from product to product.
The range shows why you need to check the vegan claim and sugar value separately.
San Francisco Zero is an example of why a no added sugar claim isn’t enough when you need to meet both requirements.
According to the Diabetes Fund, a solid product labelled sugar-free contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. Check the latest nutrition table, rather than relying solely on a claim on the front of the pack.
No. A biscuit with no added sugars can still contain sugars. If you’re specifically looking for a sugar-free product, check the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g.
No, the ingredients list doesn’t always provide information about processing aids. If you’re looking for a strictly vegan option, check for a vegan certification or explicit confirmation from the manufacturer. According to the Dutch Association for Veganism, possible traces caused by cross-contamination are not, in themselves, an animal-derived ingredient.
This warning may be linked to added polyols such as maltitol. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that large quantities of polyols can cause digestive problems, so check the ingredients and any warning on the packaging.
