If sugar-free is a must, only choose a chocolate biscuit if the nutrition information shows no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. If you’re mainly looking for a chocolate biscuit with less sugar, a product with a clear comparative claim may be suitable, but that doesn’t automatically mean it’s sugar-free. A biscuit with no added sugars is another option if chocolate isn’t essential.
You want a chocolate biscuit for your Easter egg hunt that genuinely meets the threshold for a sugar-free claim. So check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g, rather than relying on the name on the front of the pack.
You want to hand out a chocolate biscuit and are happy to consider a lower-sugar product as an alternative. It’s still important to understand the difference between a relative reduction in sugar and a sugar-free claim.
You’re handing out biscuits to people with different needs. Check the allergens and any dietary claims for each product; a gluten-free label doesn’t tell you anything about its sugar content.
When to choose it: take this route if both chocolate and a sugar-free claim are essential.
The trade-off: a name containing ‘zero’ or a claim about less sugar doesn’t replace the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g.
When to consider it: choose this option if having a chocolate biscuit matters more than choosing one that is strictly sugar-free.
The trade-off: a percentage reduction in sugars compares products with each other; it doesn’t confirm an absolute upper limit for sugars.
When to consider it: this may suit you if chocolate isn’t essential and you’re specifically looking for ‘no added sugars’.
The trade-off: Verkade describes San Francisco Zero as a biscuit with no added sugars, not as a chocolate biscuit alternative.
Before your Easter egg hunt, decide which requirement is non-negotiable. Under the annex to EU Regulation 1924/2006, the sugar-free claim can only be used for a solid food if it contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar-free | Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g on the current packaging; the sugar-free claim has a maximum limit of 0.5 g. | If sugar-free is a must for me, I want to be able to check the figure on the pack before handing out the biscuits. This would be the main priority for around 40% of consumers. |
| Chocolate and less sugar | Check what a claim about less sugar refers to and whether the biscuit actually contains chocolate. | I want to offer a chocolate biscuit and am happy with less sugar instead of a strictly sugar-free option. This would be the main consideration for around 30% of consumers. |
| Allergens and dietary needs | Check the current allergen information for each product and assess any gluten-free claim separately from its sugar content. | When handing out biscuits to a mixed group, I need to be able to work out which biscuit suits each person’s needs. This would be the first concern for around 20% of consumers. |
| Packaging and availability | Once the biscuit meets your main requirements, check the pack size and current availability. | If I need biscuits for several people, I want to plan my shopping around a suitable pack size. Convenience in store would be the main priority for around 10% of consumers. |
A relative reduction doesn’t tell you how much sugar a biscuit contains per 100 g. ‘No added sugars’ is also a different claim from sugar-free.
If sugar-free is a must, use the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g to make your decision.
The Joybuy product page for Panpan oat biscuits uses ‘sugar-free’ in the title, but also states that they contain 11.7 g of sugars per 100 g. They’re oat biscuits, not chocolate biscuits, either.
Don’t include a product with conflicting information in a strictly sugar-free selection; check the nutrition information on the current packaging.
Jumbo lists a gluten-free digestive biscuit with milk chocolate. The gluten-free label alone tells you nothing about the amount of sugars or other allergens.
Check sugar levels, ingredients, allergens and relevant dietary claims separately before handing out the biscuits.
A product variety listed previously may not be available when you do your Easter shopping. This can be particularly tricky if an alternative also needs to meet a strict sugar or allergen requirement.
Check availability and the label of the variety you actually choose shortly before buying.
Choco Delight is worth considering if you’re looking for a chocolate biscuit with less sugar, without assuming that it’s sugar-free.
San Francisco Zero is a biscuit for anyone looking for ‘no added sugars’ who doesn’t need a chocolate biscuit.
AH Digestive 0% sugar is a product name to assess by checking the label, not necessarily a sugar-free chocolate biscuit.
A separate option to look at if gluten-free products are important to someone taking part.
Lidl describes Sondey as a range of biscuits and cookies.
No. Under the annex to EU Regulation 1924/2006, biscuits can only carry the sugar-free claim if they contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. A ‘no added sugars’ label doesn’t confirm that a product stays below this limit.
No. For a strictly sugar-free choice, check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. The Joybuy page for Panpan oat biscuits calls them sugar-free, but states that they contain 11.7 g of sugars per 100 g; they’re not chocolate biscuits, either.
Check the current ingredients and allergen information for each biscuit you choose, and keep different dietary needs in mind. A gluten-free chocolate biscuit isn’t automatically sugar-free.
