If you’re looking for a strictly sugar-free option
For the office biscuit tin, the biscuit must genuinely meet the sugar-free claim. Then check the total carbohydrates, energy and polyols too: the claim only relates to the sugar content.
Which choice is right for you?
If you mainly want to avoid added sugar
A biscuit with no added sugar can be a good choice for a coffee break even if it doesn’t need to meet a strict sugar-free claim. Do check the sugars listed in the nutrition table.
If you’re buying for colleagues with different needs
With a shared biscuit tin, colleagues need to be able to see which biscuit they’re choosing. Keep the packaging, so the ingredients, allergens and any polyol warning for each product are easy to identify.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether ‘sugar-free’ is essential or if ‘no added sugar’ is enough. Then compare products on a like-for-like basis and make sure the packaging is available to check when the tin is shared.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar-free claim | Check that the product is labelled sugar-free and lists no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. This limit comes from the EU regulation on nutrition claims on EUR-Lex. | If the office biscuit supply needs to be strictly sugar-free, I wouldn’t rely on ‘zero’ or ‘no added sugar’ alone. For around 42% of consumers, this claim would be the first thing to consider. |
| Nutrition and portion size | Compare energy, carbohydrates and sugars per 100 g; also check what one biscuit amounts to as a portion. | If I have biscuits regularly with my coffee, I want to know what’s in them, not just how much sugar they contain. Around 33% of consumers would put overall nutritional value first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the current ingredients list, allergen information and any polyol warnings for each product. Keep the original packaging available. | When colleagues are choosing from the same tin, I want everyone to be able to check which product suits their needs. For around 25% of consumers, this would be the main consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘no added sugar’ means ‘sugar-free’
Albert Heijn lists Verkade San Francisco zero as having 0% added sugar, but it also contains 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g. That’s different from the EU limit for a ‘sugar-free’ claim, which is no more than 0.5 g per 100 g.
If you need a strictly sugar-free option for the office, check both the claim and the ‘of which sugars’ figure on the packaging.
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Assuming a sugar-free biscuit is automatically low in calories
According to Albert Heijn’s product information, AH Digestive 0% suiker contains 465 kcal and 63 g of carbohydrates per 100 g. Jumbo lists Céréal Zonder Suikers Kokos as containing 427 kcal and 72 g of carbohydrates per 100 g.
Compare products per 100 g first, then check the amount in each biscuit if you’re weighing up options for a coffee break.
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Overlooking allergens and polyols
A sugar claim tells you nothing about allergens. The product information for Céréal Speculoos met stukjes amandel lists almonds, cereals containing gluten, eggs, milk and soya, among other ingredients. Products containing polyols may also carry a warning that excessive consumption can have a laxative effect.
Keep different biscuits clearly separated and leave the packaging with the ingredients and warnings by the tin.
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Relying on a label you checked previously
Albert Heijn warns that ingredients and allergy information can change when a product is updated. So a previous check isn’t enough if your choice depends on a particular ingredient.
Check the packaging again when you buy more, especially for allergen information and the sugar-free claim.
Brands and product ranges to consider
Céréal
The Zonder Suikers range includes Kokos and Speculoos met stukjes amandel: individually wrapped biscuits that can be served with coffee or tea.
- Jumbo lists Kokos as containing 0 g of sugars and Speculoos met stukjes amandel as containing 0.4 g of sugars per 100 g.
- According to Jumbo, Kokos also contains 72 g of carbohydrates per 100 g; the allergen list for Speculoos met stukjes amandel also needs particular attention.
Albert Heijn
AH Digestive 0% suiker is a sugar-free biscuit sold in a 400 g pack.
- Albert Heijn lists 0.3 g of sugars per 100 g.
- The same product information lists 63 g of carbohydrates and 14 g of polyols per 100 g. The product contains wheat.
Verkade
San Francisco zero is a biscuit for anyone looking for an option with no added sugar.
- Albert Heijn sells it as a biscuit with 0% added sugar.
- Albert Heijn lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g. So don’t use this variety as an example of a strictly sugar-free biscuit.
Lotus Biscoff
Lotus Bakeries describes Biscoff as a caramelised biscuit to enjoy with coffee. It’s a regular option for a mixed biscuit tin, alongside a clearly identified, more sugar-conscious choice.
- The biscuit has a clear place as a regular coffee-time treat.
- Don’t treat Biscoff as a sugar-free option unless the packaging confirms that claim for the variety you’ve chosen.
Related products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
What does ‘sugar-free’ mean on a biscuit packet?
Under the EU regulation on nutrition claims on EUR-Lex, a biscuit can contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g to make a ‘sugar-free’ claim. ‘No added sugar’ is a different claim, so check the nutrition table too.
Are sugar-free biscuits also low in calories or carbohydrates?
No. The sugar-free claim alone says nothing about the total energy or carbohydrate content. Compare the nutrition information per 100 g and check how much one biscuit represents as a portion.
How can I make allergen information easy to access with a shared biscuit tin?
Keep the original packaging and make it clear which biscuits it relates to. According to the Voedingscentrum, the 14 most common allergens must be listed on packaged products; also check for warnings such as ‘may contain’ on the current packaging.
How should I store sugar-free biscuits at the office?
Follow the storage instructions for the product you’ve chosen, and close the packet or tin after use. For AH Digestive 0% suiker, Albert Heijn advises storing it in a cool, dark and dry place and keeping it in a sealed tin after opening.