The standard canoe biscuits from Jumbo, Albert Heijn and PLUS are not a sugar-free option: their product information lists 36.8 to 39 g of sugars per 100 g, while the Netherlands Nutrition Centre says a product must contain no more than 0.5 g per 100 g to be labelled ‘sugar-free’. If sugar-free is a firm requirement, check the nutritional information for a different snack; a biscuit with no added sugar is not automatically sugar-free. For a snack to take to school, also check the allergens on the packet and the school’s rules.
For an after-school snack, ‘no added sugar’ is not enough if the product really needs to be sugar-free. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets the limit for this claim at no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g; check the value per 100 g on the packet.
If you’re not set on the canoe shape, you could consider a different type of biscuit. Compare the claim on the front with the nutritional information: even a biscuit with no added sugar can contain sugars.
The product information for the standard canoe biscuits reviewed lists wheat or gluten, as well as other allergens. Before packing one, read the label on the packet you’ve bought, including any cross-contamination warnings, and check that your choice complies with the school’s rules.
First decide whether being sugar-free and meeting any allergen requirements are non-negotiable. Only then is it worth comparing the canoe shape, a different type of biscuit or the packaging.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Truly sugar-free | Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets the limit for ‘sugar-free’ at no more than 0.5 g per 100 g. | If sugar-free is a firm requirement for me, I don’t want to rely on a word such as ‘zero’. Around 36% of consumers put this requirement first. |
| No added sugar | Compare the claim with the sugar content and read the ingredients list, including details of any sweeteners or polyols used. | I can choose a different type of biscuit if no added sugar matters more to me than a canoe biscuit. Around 29% of consumers put this preference first. |
| Allergens and school rules | Check the allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the packet, and find out what rules apply at school. | Before I pack something, it needs to be suitable for the allergens my child needs to avoid and comply with the school’s rules. This is the main concern for around 21% of consumers. |
| Canoe shape and portions | Once you’ve checked off any strict sugar and allergen requirements, look at the number of biscuits and the portion size on the pack you’re considering. | If those requirements aren’t decisive, I want to know how many canoe biscuits are in a pack for the snack breaks I’m planning. Around 14% of consumers prioritise this practical consideration. |
Jumbo lists Verkade San Francisco Naturel Zero toegevoegd suiker as containing 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g. That’s above the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s limit of no more than 0.5 g per 100 g for the ‘sugar-free’ claim.
If sugar-free is essential, base your choice on ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g on the current packaging, not just the product name.
The product information for the standard canoe biscuits from Jumbo, Albert Heijn and PLUS lists wheat or gluten, as well as various other allergens. Which ones are relevant depends on the child and the school’s rules.
Before packing one, check the allergen information and any cross-contamination warnings on the packet you’ve bought.
For Verkade San Francisco Naturel Zero toegevoegd suiker, Jumbo’s product information lists maltitols and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
As well as the nutritional information, read the ingredients and any usage warnings. Consider it as a biscuit, not as a sugar-free canoe biscuit.
These examples show the product types and information you can compare for each variant; a brand name alone doesn’t tell you whether a snack is sugar-free.
San Francisco Naturel Zero toegevoegd suiker is a biscuit outside the canoe-biscuit category.
AH Roomboter kano’s are an example of a standard canoe biscuit.
Jumbo Kano’s met Roomboter are standard almond-paste-filled canoe biscuits.
Lidl describes Sondey Kano’s as butter biscuits filled with almond paste, in a 325 g pack.
Heerlijck Banket Kano’s are sold by ALDI as canoe-shaped pastries in a 330 g pack.
PLUS Roomboter kano’s are a standard canoe-biscuit variant.
If you’re not set on a canoe biscuit, you could also consider a cracker. If sugar-free is a firm requirement, check the sugar content on the current packaging; for a snack to take to school, allergens and school rules are separate considerations.
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This cracker is a different kind of snack for anyone who doesn’t need a canoe biscuit; if sugar-free is a firm requirement, check the sugars per 100 g on the packet.
The product information lists wheat and gluten. Don’t choose this variant if these allergens need to be avoided, and check the current packaging for other allergens or possible cross-contamination.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the ‘sugar-free’ claim can be used when a product contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g or 100 ml. For canoe biscuits and other solid snacks, check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g in the nutrition table.
No: Jumbo lists 36.8 g of sugars per 100 g for Kano’s met Roomboter, Albert Heijn lists 39 g for AH Roomboter kano’s, and PLUS lists 38.9 g per 100 g for PLUS Roomboter kano’s. These values are above the limit the Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets for the ‘sugar-free’ claim.
No. Verkade San Francisco Naturel Zero toegevoegd suiker is a biscuit, not a canoe biscuit, and according to Jumbo’s product information it contains 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g. ‘No added sugar’ doesn’t mean a product meets the limit for ‘sugar-free’.
That depends on which allergens need to be avoided and the school’s rules. The product information for the standard canoe biscuits reviewed lists wheat or gluten, as well as various other allergens. So before packing one, check the label for your chosen variant, including any ‘may contain’ warnings.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging for your chosen variant. Albert Heijn and PLUS recommend storing their products in a cool, dry place; Albert Heijn says to keep its Roomboter kano’s in a sealed tin after opening.
