Which option is right for you?

If you want to serve a strictly sugar-free treat

For you, the sugar-free requirement matters more than the shape of the biscuit. A different kind of treat is a good option if its current nutritional information meets that requirement.

For fans of the classic kano biscuit

You’re looking for the familiar butter biscuit filled with almond paste for Valentine’s Day. The regular kano biscuits from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS aren’t sugar-free options.

If you’re choosing a treat for someone else

You want to be able to check what a treat contains. Compare the nutritional values per 100 g and, if there’s an allergy, read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether sugar-free is essential or whether you mainly want a kano biscuit filled with almond paste. Then compare the exact product’s ingredients and nutritional values.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Sugar-free claim Check the claim and the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, a product can contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g to carry the ‘sugar-free’ claim. If I want to serve a sugar-free treat, I’d rather give up the kano shape than that requirement. Sugar-free comes first for around 50% of these consumers.
Classic kano biscuit Check whether it’s a kano biscuit filled with almond paste, and compare portion sizes and sugars per 100 g. For Valentine’s Day, I specifically want to share the familiar butter biscuit filled with almond paste, even if it isn’t sugar-free. The classic kano biscuit takes priority for around 30% of these consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Read the ingredients, allergen information and nutritional values on the exact pack; compare products per 100 g. If I’m buying something for someone else, I want to know what’s in it and whether it’s suitable for them. Ingredients and allergens matter most to around 20% of these consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a regular kano biscuit is sugar-free

    Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS list between 36.8 g and 39 g of sugars per 100 g for their regular kano biscuits. That’s above the limit for the sugar-free claim under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.

    If sugar-free is non-negotiable, check both the claim and the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g for any alternative.

  • Relying on a name or search filter alone

    Seeing ‘sugar-conscious’ or ‘Zero’ in a name doesn’t tell you how much sugar the exact product contains. An alternative may also be something other than a kano biscuit filled with almond paste.

    Read the current nutrition table and ingredients list before deciding whether both the ingredients and the type of treat are right for you.

  • Forgetting about allergens when sharing a treat

    The product information for the regular kano biscuits reviewed lists ingredients including wheat, milk, egg, soya and almond. Allergens vary from product to product.

    If someone has an allergy, ask what they need to avoid and check the allergen information on the exact pack, including any ‘may contain’ statements.

  • Assuming the same Valentine’s Day range will be available later

    A product you can see now may not be available in the same shop around Valentine’s Day.

    Check availability shortly before buying, and read the packaging label then too.

Brands and shops to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists a regular butter kano biscuit and a separate category of sugar-conscious products.

  • For AH Roomboter kano’s, you can check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values.
  • AH lists 39 g of sugars per 100 g for this kano biscuit. A biscuit from the sugar-conscious category isn’t automatically a sugar-free kano biscuit.

Jumbo

Jumbo’s biscuit range includes a regular kano biscuit made with butter.

  • The product information lists the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values.
  • According to Jumbo, Jumbo Kano’s met Roomboter contains 36.8 g of sugars per 100 g, so it isn’t a sugar-free option.

PLUS

PLUS lists a regular butter kano biscuit filled with almond paste.

  • The product information lets you check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values.
  • PLUS lists 38.9 g of sugars per 100 g for its butter kano biscuit, so don’t choose it if sugar-free is essential.

Lidl / Sondey

Lidl lists Sondey Kano’s as butter biscuits filled with almond paste, in a 325 g pack.

  • The product description can help you decide whether you’re looking for a regular kano biscuit.
  • Check the nutritional values on the current packaging to see whether it meets a sugar-free requirement, rather than relying on the product name.

Verkade

Verkade sells biscuits and chocolate products, including products with ‘Zero’ in the name.

  • The range can be a good starting point if you’re considering a different kind of treat instead of a kano biscuit.
  • The name ‘Zero’ doesn’t confirm that a specific product is a sugar-free kano biscuit. Check the label of the product you choose.

Sweet alternatives on Joybuy

These Klene products are alternatives for anyone happy to look beyond the classic kano biscuit. The heart-shaped option is liquorice; the name and product description of the other option don’t make its shape clear. If you need a strictly sugar-free option, always check the current nutritional values on the packaging.

Klene Sugarfree Liquorice Hearts, 110 g pack

Klene Sugarfree Liquorice Hearts 110 g

A heart-shaped liquorice treat for anyone who doesn’t need a kano biscuit filled with almond paste for Valentine’s Day. Check the current nutritional values, ingredients and allergens on the packaging. The product information warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

View on Joybuy
Klene Sugar-Free Lavender Biscuits, 110 g pack

Klene Sugar-Free Lavender Biscuits 110 g

A sweet alternative if you’re not set on having a kano biscuit. The title says ‘Biscuits’, while the product description suggests liquorice, so check the product’s shape, nutritional values, ingredients and allergens on the current packaging. Also bear in mind the warning about excessive consumption.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Are the regular kano biscuits from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS sugar-free?

No. Albert Heijn lists 39 g of sugars per 100 g for AH Roomboter kano’s, Jumbo lists 36.8 g for Kano’s met Roomboter, and PLUS lists 38.9 g for its butter kano biscuit. These values are above the limit for the sugar-free claim.

When can a biscuit be labelled sugar-free?

Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, a food can carry the ‘sugar-free’ claim if it contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g, or per 100 ml for a drink. For a biscuit, check the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g in the current nutrition table; ‘sugar-conscious’ doesn’t mean the same thing.

How do I compare an alternative with a kano biscuit?

Compare the nutritional values per 100 g, and also check the ingredients, allergens and portion size. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing products per 100 g, so differences in portion size don’t skew the comparison. Also check whether you’re looking for a biscuit filled with almond paste or are happy with a different kind of treat.

Which allergens should I check in a kano biscuit?

Always check the allergen information for the exact product. The product information for the regular kano biscuits reviewed lists ingredients including wheat, milk, egg, soya and almond, but ingredients and ‘may contain’ statements can vary.