If you’re looking for strictly sugar-free biscuits
You want a biscuit whose total sugar content meets the ‘sugar-free’ claim. So compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g, even if the front of the pack says ‘zero’.
Who is this choice relevant to?
If you’re handing biscuits out to others
When catering for a mixed group, you’ll want to check the ingredients and any allergen and precautionary allergen labelling in advance. This information varies by biscuit and variety.
If you’re keeping an eye on portions and polyols
You’ll want to know how many biscuits you’re handing out and whether the packaging lists polyols or warns of a laxative effect if consumed in excess.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start by checking the exact sugar claim, then make sure the ingredients and portion size are suitable for the people you’re planning to offer the biscuits to.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar-free or no added sugar | Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g with the EU ‘sugar-free’ limit of 0.5 g per 100 g. Check any claim about added sugar separately. | I want to hand out biscuits that genuinely meet the strict sugar-free criteria, not just a pack labelled ‘zero’. For around 46% of consumers, checking total sugars comes first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and check both ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ on the packaging of the exact variety. | When handing biscuits out to guests with different food allergies, I want to know which ingredients and possible traces are listed. For around 36% of consumers, this check takes priority. |
| Portions and polyols | Check the weight per biscuit or portion, read the ingredients and look for any warning about polyols. | If visitors might have several biscuits, I want to be able to estimate portions and take account of any warnings on the packaging. Around 18% of consumers put this consideration first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘zero’ means ‘sugar-free’
According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Verkade San Francisco zero contains 0% added sugar, but also 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g. That’s more than the 0.5 g per 100 g limit for the ‘sugar-free’ claim set out in the annex to EU Regulation 1924/2006.
If you’re looking for strictly sugar-free biscuits, always check the total sugars per 100 g in the nutrition table.
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Assuming low sugar also means low energy
According to Albert Heijn, AH Digestive 0% suiker contains 465 kcal and 63 g of carbohydrates per 100 g. So the sugar content doesn’t tell you everything about the nutritional value of this biscuit.
Compare similar biscuits for energy, carbohydrates, fat, fibre and salt per 100 g too. Use the portion information to see how much you’re actually offering.
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Overlooking the warning about polyols
Biscuits containing polyols may carry a warning about a laxative effect if consumed in excess. This warning appears, for example, in the product information for AH Digestive 0% suiker and Céréal Chocolate chip zonder suikers.
Read the ingredients and warnings on the packaging, especially if you’re planning to offer several biscuits per person.
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Handing out a flavoured variety without checking allergens
Ingredients and allergens can vary from one variety to another. A label such as ‘sugar-free’ doesn’t tell you whether a biscuit contains, for example, wheat, milk or nuts.
Keep the information from the exact pack available when handing biscuits out. If they’re unpackaged, ask which allergens they contain and what is known about possible traces.
Brands to consider
Céréal
The sugar-free biscuits reviewed include coconut, chocolate chip and speculoos with almond varieties.
- According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Céréal Chocolate chip zonder suikers contains 0 g of sugars and 8.9 g of fibre per 100 g.
- Check the allergens and polyols for each variety. Céréal Chocolate chip carries a warning about a laxative effect if consumed in excess.
AH
AH Digestive 0% suiker is an own-brand option if you want to consider its stated dietary characteristics as well as its sugar content.
- Albert Heijn’s product information describes this variety as vegan and lactose-free, and lists 0.3 g of sugars per 100 g.
- The biscuit contains wheat and, according to the same product information, 14 g of polyols, 20 g of fat and 0.84 g of salt per 100 g.
Verkade
San Francisco zero is worth considering if you’re specifically looking for a biscuit with no added sugar, rather than one labelled ‘sugar-free’.
- Albert Heijn lists the claim ‘0% added sugar’ for this variety.
- The nutrition information also lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g. Check the listed allergens too, including cereals containing gluten, milk and soya.
Biscuits compared by scenario
The order below is an editorial selection for a Christmas market, taking sugar content and portions into account. It isn’t a sales ranking or product test. The product figures come from information provided by Joybuy and Albert Heijn. Also check the allergens, polyols and current packaging for the varieties listed.
| Position | Biscuit | Features | Why consider it? | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Céréal Cookie Coconut, 12 pieces | According to Joybuy: 0 g of sugars per 100 g, 11 g per biscuit and 94 kcal per two biscuits. | The stated sugar content meets the criteria for a strict sugar-free choice, while the weight per biscuit helps you plan portions. Check the rest of the nutrition information and the allergens too. | Joybuy |
| 2 | AH Digestive 0% suiker | According to Albert Heijn: 0.3 g of sugars per 100 g; described as vegan and lactose-free. | This variety may be a good option if those two stated dietary characteristics matter to you. However, it contains wheat and polyols, so check the packaging before offering it to others. | Albert Heijn |
| 3 | Céréal Zonder Suikers Speculoos met amandel, 2 × 5 pieces, 110 g | According to Joybuy: 0.4 g of sugars and 29 g of polyols per 100 g. | The stated sugar content is within the sugar-free limit. Given the ingredients and polyols, it’s important to check the allergens and warnings on the exact packaging. | Joybuy |
Related products on Joybuy
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
When can a biscuit be labelled ‘sugar-free’?
Under the annex to EU Regulation 1924/2006, a solid food labelled ‘sugar-free’ can contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutrition table, not just the wording on the front of the pack.
Is ‘0% added sugar’ the same as sugar-free?
No. A claim about added sugar doesn’t mean that a biscuit contains no more than 0.5 g of total sugars per 100 g. For example, according to Albert Heijn, Verkade San Francisco zero is labelled 0% added sugar and contains 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g.
What should I look for in biscuits containing maltitol or other polyols?
Check the amount of polyols and look on the packaging for any warning about a laxative effect if consumed in excess. This is especially useful if you’re planning to hand out several biscuits per person at a Christmas market.
How can I check allergens in unpackaged Christmas market biscuits?
Ask for the allergen information for the exact biscuit and check for any warnings about traces. The label ‘sugar-free’ doesn’t tell you this. The Voedingscentrum explains that allergen information must also be available for unpackaged foods.