Shoppers looking for strictly sugar-free options
You want a biscuit that meets the threshold for ‘sugar-free’. ‘No added sugars’ isn’t enough for you.
Who is this relevant to?
Christmas bakers looking to avoid added sugars
You want to bake your own biscuits without added sugars, and bear in mind that ingredients such as dates still contain sugars.
Shoppers who check for allergens
You check the packaging of your chosen kano biscuit or alternative for ingredients, allergens and possible traces.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you’re looking for a strictly sugar-free kano biscuit, or mainly want to avoid added sugars when Christmas baking. Then you can work out whether another biscuit or baking your own fits your plans.
Ready-made sugar-free kano biscuit
When to choose it: Choose a kano biscuit only if its nutritional information confirms the sugar-free claim.
The trade-off: The sugar levels in the regular kano biscuits we looked at don’t meet this requirement. Their familiar shape is no reason to skip checking the label.
Another packaged biscuit
When to consider it: Consider this if the kano shape isn’t essential and you can check each pack to see whether the biscuit meets your sugar requirements.
The trade-off: A biscuit from a sugar-conscious shop category isn’t a kano biscuit, and the category alone doesn’t confirm a nutritional claim for any specific variety.
Bake your own without added sugars
When to choose it: This is a good fit if you mainly want to avoid added sugars when Christmas baking and are happy with a different biscuit shape.
The trade-off: A recipe can still contain sugars. For example, Allerhande’s date biscuit recipe lists 6 g of sugars per serving.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar-free claim | Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. For solid foods, European Union Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 allows the ‘sugar-free’ claim only if the product contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. | I specifically want a kano biscuit that meets the sugar-free threshold, even if that means looking beyond the regular varieties. Around 40% of shoppers make this their top priority. |
| Added sugars | For a recipe or packaged biscuit, check the ingredients and the total sugars in the nutritional information. According to the Voedingscentrum, ‘no added sugars’ doesn’t mean ‘sugar-free’. | When Christmas baking, I want to avoid added sugars, but I don’t necessarily need to make a sugar-free kano biscuit. This is the most important consideration for around 30% of shoppers. |
| Allergens | Check the current packaging for allergens in the exact variety and any warnings about possible traces. | Even if a biscuit suits my sugar requirements, I need to know which ingredients and allergens it contains. Around 20% of shoppers give this check priority. |
| Biscuit shape and product type | Check whether you’re choosing a kano biscuit, another packaged biscuit or a recipe for homemade biscuits, then assess the nutritional information for that specific product. | For Christmas, I mainly want to be able to choose a kano biscuit or something similar, as long as it meets my other requirements. Around 10% of shoppers make this their top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘no added sugars’ means ‘sugar-free’
A biscuit containing dates, for example, can still contain sugars even if no sugars have been added. The Voedingscentrum distinguishes between these two claims.
If you’re looking for a ‘sugar-free’ option, check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g on the packaging and compare it with the limit of 0.5 g per 100 g.
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Focusing on one ingredient or a shop category
Jumbo lists sorbitols as a stabiliser in its Kano's met Roomboter, but also lists 36.8 g of sugars per 100 g. One ingredient doesn’t tell you the total sugar content.
Check the nutritional information for the specific variety, rather than assuming it’s sugar-free based on an ingredient or shop category name.
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Choosing almond paste and decorations without checking allergens
The product information for the Jumbo, PLUS and Aviateur kano biscuits we looked at lists various allergens or possible traces. Depending on the variety, these include wheat, milk, soya, egg or almonds.
Check the allergen information and any trace warnings on the packaging of the exact variety you’re buying.
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Relying on a product page you read earlier
Ingredients and nutritional information can change. This is especially important if your choice depends on a precise sugar level or allergen listing.
Check the packaging again when you buy or receive the product, before using the biscuit.
Brands to consider
The examples below refer to specific product ranges, not every biscuit from these brands. Always check the packaging of the variety you plan to use before making your choice.
Jumbo
Jumbo Kano's met Roomboter are kano biscuits with almond paste, sold in a 275 g pack.
- Jumbo lists the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values for this variety.
- Jumbo lists 36.8 g of sugars per 100 g, so this variety doesn’t meet the sugar-free threshold.
PLUS
PLUS Roomboter kano's have an almond paste filling and almond decoration.
- PLUS provides nutritional and allergen information for this variety.
- The listed 38.9 g of sugars per 100 g rules out this kano biscuit if you’re looking for a strictly sugar-free option.
Aviateur
Aviateur makes filled kano biscuits with almond paste. The variety we looked at is listed on a PLUS product page.
- PLUS’s product information gives the sugar level for the variety we looked at.
- At 37.6 g of sugars per 100 g, this variety isn’t a sugar-free kano biscuit.
Verkade
Verkade describes San Francisco Zero as a biscuit with no added sugars, not as a kano biscuit.
- This is a different type of biscuit to consider if you don’t need the kano shape.
- ‘No added sugars’ doesn’t confirm that a biscuit is sugar-free, so check the current nutritional information.
Joybuy products for this topic
Related products will appear soon.
Frequently asked questions
When can a biscuit be labelled sugar-free?
Under European Union Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, a solid biscuit can only be labelled ‘sugar-free’ if it contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. To check, look at ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g in the nutritional information.
Are the regular kano biscuits we looked at sugar-free?
No, the varieties we looked at don’t meet the limit of no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. Jumbo lists 36.8 g per 100 g for its Kano's met Roomboter, PLUS lists 38.9 g per 100 g for its Roomboter kano's, and the PLUS product page for Aviateur Kano's lists 37.6 g per 100 g.
Is a biscuit with no added sugars also sugar-free?
No, a biscuit with no added sugars can still contain sugars. The Voedingscentrum makes this distinction. For example, Allerhande’s date biscuit recipe lists 6 g of sugars per serving. To check whether a product can be labelled sugar-free, assess the amount per 100 g.
Which allergens should I check in kano biscuits?
Always check the allergens and possible traces on the packaging of the exact kano biscuit you’re buying. For the relevant products, the information for the Jumbo, PLUS and Aviateur varieties we looked at lists wheat, milk, soya, egg or almonds, among other things. Ingredients vary by variety.
How should I store kano biscuits until Christmas?
Follow the storage instructions and date on the packaging of your kano biscuits. The Jumbo, PLUS and Aviateur product pages we looked at recommend storing them in a cool, dry place, but check the instructions for your variety.