Who is this relevant to?

Shoppers specifically looking for sugar-free chewy spiced biscuits

You want to order chewy spiced biscuits and check the sugar content per 100 g, rather than relying on terms such as ‘zero’ or ‘sugar-conscious’.

Chewy spiced biscuit fans considering an alternative

You prefer the flavour and chewy texture of these spiced biscuits, but want to know when a biscuit or speculaas-style biscuit could be an acceptable alternative for you.

Shoppers who check ingredients too

As well as sugars, you check sweeteners and allergens. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that large amounts of polyols can cause digestive problems.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether it has to be chewy spiced biscuits or whether another type of biscuit will do. Then compare the wording on each product’s packaging with the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g and check the ingredients.

What to look forWhat to check when buyingWho it matters to
Sugar-free or no added sugar Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g; GezondEten.nl gives a maximum of 0.5 g per 100 g as a guide for ‘sugar-free’. If I want only sugar-free chewy spiced biscuits, a label such as ‘no added sugar’ isn’t enough on its own. Around 50% of consumers make checking this claim their priority.
Chewy spiced biscuits or another type of biscuit Check the product type and consider whether the different texture of a biscuit or spiced breakfast cake is acceptable. If you’re specifically looking for the flavour and chewy texture of these spiced biscuits, a biscuit isn’t the same product; for around 30% of consumers, product type is the most important factor.
Ingredients and allergens Check the ingredients and allergens for the specific product, and look out for any polyols. If I’m choosing an alternative, I want to know what it contains before ordering, even if the sugar content suits me. For around 20% of consumers, ingredients and tolerance are the main priorities.

Common mistakes

  • Reading ‘no added sugar’ as ‘sugar-free’

    A product can be sold with no added sugar and still contain sugars. Verkade lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g for San Francisco Zero.

    If you want sugar-free chewy spiced biscuits, always compare the claim with the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g for the specific product.

  • Mistaking another type of biscuit for chewy spiced biscuits

    A biscuit or spiced breakfast cake has a different product description and texture, even if its sugar information looks appealing.

    Before ordering, check whether the chewy spiced biscuits themselves are essential. Choose another type of biscuit only if that difference is acceptable to you.

  • Looking only at the sugar claim

    An alternative may contain ingredients that matter to your choice. Jumbo lists wheat, milk and soya among the ingredients in Verkade San Francisco Zero, and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

    Also read the ingredients and allergens in the product information, and check the packaging when your order arrives.

Relevant brands and shops

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists AH Taai taai online and also has a category for sugar-conscious biscuits.

  • You can browse chewy spiced biscuits and other types of biscuit separately.
  • The AH Taai taai listing doesn’t confirm that the product is sugar-free.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists both Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes and Verkade San Francisco Zero online.

  • The Verkade biscuit listing includes ingredients, allergens and nutritional values.
  • The chewy spiced biscuit listing doesn’t confirm a sugar-free claim; the Verkade biscuit isn’t a chewy spiced biscuit.

Verkade

Verkade San Francisco Zero is a biscuit sold as an alternative with no added sugar.

  • Verkade lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g, so you can compare the sugar content.
  • It isn’t a chewy spiced biscuit; also check the listed allergens and information about maltitol.

Céréal

Albert Heijn lists Céréal Speculoos almond pieces with no sugars in its sugar-conscious biscuit category.

  • The listing gives you a speculaas-style product to consider separately.
  • Being listed in a category is no substitute for checking the nutritional information; speculaas isn’t a chewy spiced biscuit.

Snelle Jelle

PLUS lists Snelle Jelle Ontbijtkoek minder suiker (reduced-sugar spiced breakfast cake).

  • PLUS compares the sugar content with that of Snelle Jelle Kruidkoek naturel.
  • ‘Less sugar’ doesn’t mean ‘sugar-free’, and spiced breakfast cake isn’t a chewy spiced biscuit.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I check whether chewy spiced biscuits are sugar-free?

Check both the claim and the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g on the packaging of the specific product. GezondEten.nl gives a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g as a guide for ‘sugar-free’; words such as ‘zero’ don’t tell you that figure.

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

No. Verkade lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g for San Francisco Zero, a biscuit with no added sugar. So if ‘sugar-free’ is a condition of your purchase, check the sugar content.

What should I check when ordering online and after delivery?

Before ordering, compare the product type, ingredients, allergens and nutritional information per 100 g. Check these details again on the packaging you receive, as product information can change, as PLUS notes in its online product information.

What should I look for in biscuits containing sweeteners?

As well as the sugar content, read the ingredients and any warnings for the specific product. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that large amounts of polyols can cause digestive problems; Jumbo includes a warning about excessive consumption for Verkade San Francisco Zero.