People keeping a close eye on sugar
If you’re looking for a biscuit labelled ‘sugar-free’, the amount of sugars per 100 g matters more than words such as ‘zero’ or ‘reduced’ on the front of the pack.
Who should pay attention to these differences?
Coffee drinkers who fancy chocolate
If you specifically want a chocolate biscuit with your afternoon coffee, a biscuit without chocolate isn’t the same choice. So check both the type of product and its nutrition information.
People weighing up ingredients and portions
Even when the sugar content is low, polyols, allergens, fat and portion size can all influence your choice.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the sugar content per 100 g, then check that it really is a chocolate biscuit, and finally read the ingredients and portion information.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugars per 100 g | Check the ‘of which sugars’ line in the nutrition information. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says a product must contain no more than 0.5 g per 100 g to carry the claim ‘sugar-free’. | If you want a strictly sugar-free biscuit with your coffee, don’t rely on ‘reduced sugar’ or ‘no added sugar’ alone; around 42% of consumers prioritise this sugar criterion. |
| Chocolate content | Check whether the biscuit contains chocolate and look at the sugar content of that exact variety. | If chocolate with your coffee is your main priority, a biscuit without chocolate isn’t the same alternative; around 33% of consumers prioritise chocolate content. |
| Ingredients and portion | Check the allergens, polyols, warnings and nutrition information per portion on the packaging. | If ingredients or portion size are decisive, there’s more to consider than just the sugar content; around 25% of consumers prioritise checking this information on the label. |
Common mistakes
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Reading ‘reduced sugar’ as ‘sugar-free’
These claims don’t mean the same thing when it comes to the amount of sugars in a product. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘sugar-free’ means no more than 0.5 g per 100 g.
Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g on the packaging, even if the product name says ‘zero’.
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Mistaking a biscuit without chocolate for a chocolate biscuit
A sugar-free biscuit may meet your sugar requirements without containing chocolate. Jumbo describes Céréal Mini Cakes with chocolate pieces as soft cakes, not biscuits.
If you’re specifically looking for a chocolate biscuit to have with your coffee, check both the type of product and the ingredients.
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Looking only at the sugar claim
Biscuits made with sweeteners may also contain polyols and allergens. Albert Heijn states that excessive consumption of AH Digestive 0% suiker may have a laxative effect.
Before buying, read the ingredients, allergens, any warnings and the nutrition information per portion.
Brands compared
Céréal
Choco Delight Puur and Mini Cakes show why the exact type of product matters when choosing something chocolatey to have with your coffee.
- Jumbo lists a dark chocolate coating made with sweetener and 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g for Céréal Minder Suikers Choco Delight Puur.
- According to Jumbo’s product information, Choco Delight Puur also contains 24 g of polyols and 20 g of fat per 100 g, as well as ingredients including wheat, oats, milk, egg and soya. Mini Cakes with chocolate pieces are soft cakes, not biscuits.
Verkade
San Francisco Zero is a biscuit for anyone looking for ‘no added sugar’ who doesn’t want chocolate.
- Verkade describes San Francisco Zero as a product with no added sugar.
- Verkade lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g. That’s above the threshold the Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives for the claim ‘sugar-free’; it’s also not a chocolate biscuit.
Albert Heijn
AH Digestive 0% suiker is a biscuit alternative if chocolate isn’t a must-have.
- Albert Heijn’s product information lists 0.3 g of sugars per 100 g for AH Digestive 0% suiker.
- This isn’t a chocolate biscuit. Albert Heijn lists polyols and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Products at Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
When does a biscuit count as sugar-free?
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a product must contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g to carry the claim ‘sugar-free’. Check the ‘of which sugars’ line in the nutrition information for the exact biscuit you’re considering.
Does ‘no added sugar’ mean the same as sugar-free?
No. A product with no added sugar may still contain sugars that occur naturally. For example, Verkade lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g for San Francisco Zero. That’s above the threshold the Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives for ‘sugar-free’.
Why does a biscuit packet mention a possible laxative effect?
This warning may appear on products containing polyols. Albert Heijn lists maltitols and isomalt in AH Digestive 0% suiker, and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Check the warning on the packet you buy.
How should I store an opened packet of biscuits?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging for the product in question. For AH Digestive 0% suiker, Albert Heijn recommends storing the biscuits in a cool, dark, dry place and putting them in an airtight tin once opened.