Choose biscuits for your Boxing Day buffet based on what guests mean by ‘less sugar’: strictly sugar-free is not the same as having no added sugar. Then compare the sugars and carbohydrates per 100 g and per serving, and check the sweeteners and allergens on the packaging of the product you’ve chosen.
If a guest specifically asks for a sugar-free biscuit, wording such as ‘zero’ or ‘no added sugar’ isn’t enough. Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g with the EU regulation’s criteria for making a sugar-free claim.
A low sugar figure doesn’t tell you how many carbohydrates a biscuit contains overall. If you want to assess the amount eaten at a time, the nutritional values per serving and the size of the biscuit are also relevant.
If guests need to consider allergens or prefer vegan options, a sugar claim won’t help them make that choice. Read the ingredients and allergen information for each individual product, and keep the packaging available at the buffet.
First decide whether sugar-free is an absolute requirement. Then compare the nutritional values per serving and check that the biscuits suit your guests’ other requirements.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Strictly sugar-free | Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the sugar-free claim for solid foods applies to products containing no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. | If a guest specifically asks for sugar-free, I don’t want to put out a biscuit that merely has no added sugar. For around 42% of consumers, this strict claim would be the main requirement when choosing. |
| Nutritional values and portion size | Compare carbohydrates, sugars and energy per 100 g and per biscuit; also check the stated serving size. | At a buffet where it’s easy to have more than one biscuit, I want to know what’s in a serving. Around 33% of consumers would choose mainly based on carbohydrates and portion size. |
| Guests’ requirements | Check the allergens on the exact packaging and see whether it contains polyols or other sweeteners. Put the product information alongside the biscuits. | When guests avoid different ingredients, I want to be able to clearly explain what’s in each biscuit. Suitability would be the main reason for choosing for around 25% of consumers. |
A biscuit may contain naturally occurring sugars. Albert Heijn lists Verkade San Francisco Zero as having both 0% added sugar and 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g; that figure does not meet the EU criteria for the sugar-free claim.
If a guest needs strictly sugar-free biscuits, check the sugars per 100 g, not just the wording on the front of the pack.
Jumbo lists Céréal Zonder Suikers Kokos Smaak as containing 0 g of sugars, but also 72 g of carbohydrates and 427 kcal per 100 g. A low sugar figure doesn’t show the full nutritional picture.
Compare the figures per 100 g and per biscuit before deciding on a serving for the buffet.
Biscuits containing polyols may carry a warning that excessive consumption can have a laxative effect. Albert Heijn includes this warning for AH Digestive 0% suiker.
Keep the packaging visible and, if you’re serving them, give guests the option of choosing a biscuit without these particular sweeteners or a non-sweet alternative.
Products vary: Céréal Zonder Suikers Kokos Smaak contains wheat, while Albert Heijn describes AH Digestive 0% suiker as vegan and lactose-free, but also lists wheat.
Check the current packaging for the allergens and dietary information for each biscuit. Don’t assume that a product has the same attributes as another from the same brand.
Céréal offers biscuit varieties with different sugar claims. If sugar-free is a requirement, compare the exact product.
AH Digestive 0% suiker is an own-brand option to compare for sugars, portion size and ingredients.
San Francisco Zero is worth considering if you’re looking for no added sugar, but don’t confuse that with being strictly sugar-free.
Lotus Biscoff is a standard biscuit option for a buffet, but it isn’t automatically suitable for someone asking for sugar-free biscuits.
Sondey is Lidl’s biscuit brand and can be a useful starting point when comparing varieties in store.
Biscotto is ALDI’s biscuit brand, with different types of biscuits and cookies.
No, it may still contain naturally occurring sugars. Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the sugar-free claim for solid foods applies to products containing no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. Albert Heijn lists Verkade San Francisco Zero as having 0% added sugar, but also 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g.
This warning may relate to polyols used as sweeteners. Albert Heijn states that excessive consumption of AH Digestive 0% suiker may have a laxative effect. Read the packaging, especially if other products containing polyols are also being served at the buffet.
Store them in a cool, dry, dark place in a well-sealed container, as advised by the Voedingscentrum for sugar-free biscuits. Also check the packaging for storage advice for the specific product, and check the biscuits are still in good condition before serving them again.
Keep the packaging for each biscuit available, or put a card next to it listing the ingredients and allergens for that exact variety. Check the current packaging: for example, a sugar-free biscuit may contain wheat, and dietary information for one product doesn’t automatically apply to another.
