The Albert Heijn kano biscuits reviewed are not a sugar-free option: the butter variety contains 39 g of sugars per 100 g, while AH BASIC Kano's contain 38 g per 100 g. If another type of biscuit is acceptable, a biscuit sold as ‘no added sugars’ could be an option, but that claim does not mean the same as ‘sugar-free’. Before finalising your catering brief, check the precise sugar claim, nutritional information and allergens for each product.
If your offering really must be sugar-free, check the exact requirement against the claim and nutritional information for every product. The regular Albert Heijn kano biscuits reviewed do not meet this requirement.
If the shape and filling of a kano biscuit are not essential, another type of biscuit may be suitable. Even then, check the sugars present, sweeteners, allergens and portion size.
When serving food at a buffet, guests need clear allergen information before they choose. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, you must also specify the type of cereal containing gluten and the type of nut.
First decide whether the brief requires ‘sugar-free’ or whether ‘no added sugars’ is sufficient. Then consider whether a biscuit can be offered instead of a filled kano. Only then can you plan how to serve it and provide allergen information.
When: if a classic filled biscuit is required and there is no sugar-free or no added sugars requirement.
Consider: According to Albert Heijn, AH butter kano biscuits contain 39 g of sugars per 100 g, while AH BASIC Kano's contain 38 g per 100 g.
When: if another type of biscuit is acceptable and the brief specifically asks for a no added sugars option.
Consider: Verkade San Francisco Zero is described this way, but it is not a kano biscuit. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘no added sugars’ does not rule out sugars that occur naturally.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar claim | Compare the wording required with the claim on the packaging and the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g. | If I need to substantiate a sugar-free offering, I don’t want a product labelled ‘no added sugars’ to be automatically presented as sugar-free. For around 50% of consumers, getting the sugar claim right is the top priority. |
| Allergens | Get the allergen information for the exact product or recipe, and make sure guests can check it before choosing when serving unpackaged food. | At a buffet, I want to be able to tell guests which allergens are in the biscuits being served. Around 30% of consumers name this as their first requirement. |
| Portions and serving | Check the portion size, the number of portions per pack and any warnings about sweeteners. | When guests serve themselves, I want to plan the serving arrangements in advance and keep product warnings visible. This matters most to around 20% of consumers. |
These are different claims. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, products with no added sugars can still contain sugars that occur naturally.
Use the exact claim on the packaging and also check the nutritional information per 100 g.
According to Albert Heijn, the AH butter kano biscuits and AH BASIC Kano's reviewed contain 39 g and 38 g of sugars per 100 g respectively.
Serve these products only as regular treats; consider a separate alternative if the sugar requirements call for one.
When serving unpackaged food, guests must be able to get information about the allergens present before they make a choice.
Prepare an allergen overview for each product in advance and make it available where the food is served.
For Verkade San Francisco Zero, Albert Heijn states that the product contains maltitols and that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Check the packaging information when deciding on portion sizes and how to serve the product.
The AH butter kano biscuits and AH BASIC Kano's reviewed are regular filled biscuits.
San Francisco Zero is a biscuit that Verkade describes as having ‘no added sugars’; it is not a kano biscuit.
This product is an option only for a conference break where a biscuit can be served instead of a filled kano. Before presenting it as a sugar-free option, check the sugar claim, ingredients and portion information on the packaging against your brief.
No image available
For a break where a biscuit works instead of a kano. Check the ‘Sugar-Free’ claim against the label and nutritional information before using this description in your catering communications.
No. According to Albert Heijn, AH butter kano biscuits contain 39 g of sugars per 100 g, of which 38 g are added sugars; AH BASIC Kano's contain 38 g of sugars per 100 g.
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that a product with no added sugars can still contain sugars that occur naturally. So check both the claim and the ‘of which sugars’ value in the nutritional information.
For unpackaged food in the Netherlands, you must provide information about 14 allergens, according to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority. For cereals containing gluten and nuts, also specify the particular cereal or nut, and make sure guests can get the information before choosing.
As well as the ‘no added sugars’ claim, check the ingredients and any warnings on the packaging. Albert Heijn lists maltitols and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. The product is also a biscuit, not a kano.
