If sugar-free is a must for the biscuits you take on holiday, check the claim on the pack and the amount of sugars per 100 g. According to product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo, Céréal Speculoos almond pieces with no added sugars contains 0.4 g of sugars per 100 g, but also contains maltitol, polyols and several allergens. Gluten-free or regular speculaas is therefore not necessarily an alternative if you need to meet the same requirement.
You’re looking for a biscuit to take on the road, with a sugar-free claim that matches its nutritional information. Check the pack per 100 g: Albert Heijn and Jumbo list 0.4 g of sugars per 100 g for Céréal Speculoos almond pieces with no added sugars.
You want to know which sweeteners and allergens a product contains before you set off. The Céréal version contains maltitol and polyols, and carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
If gluten-free is your main requirement, assess that claim separately from the sugar content. According to Albert Heijn, AH Gluten-Free Speculaas contains 27 g of sugars per 100 g.
First decide whether sugar-free or gluten-free is essential for you. Then compare the ingredients and packaging with how you plan to enjoy the biscuits on holiday.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar-free claim | Check the claim on the pack and the amount of sugars per 100 g. Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, published on EUR-Lex, the claim ‘sugar-free’ may only be used for solid foods containing no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. | If sugar-free is a must for me, I don’t want to rely on a product name that sounds similar. Around 50% of consumers make this check their main priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check which sweeteners and allergens are listed, along with any warnings about use. Jumbo lists 29 g of polyols per 100 g for the Céréal version. | When I’m travelling, I want to account for ingredients I need to avoid or don’t tolerate well. This check is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Portions for the journey | Check how many biscuits are in each pack and the storage instructions; compare the nutritional information for different products per 100 g. | When I take biscuits for several days of my holiday, I want to be able to plan how much to bring. This is the first consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
According to Albert Heijn, AH Gluten-Free Speculaas contains 27 g of sugars per 100 g. So a gluten-free label doesn’t mean the product is also sugar-free.
Check both requirements separately if they’re both important to you.
According to Jumbo, the Céréal speculoos biscuits contain 29 g of polyols per 100 g and carry a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Check the ingredients and warnings before you set off, especially if you know you’re sensitive to polyols.
Albert Heijn notes that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information may change.
Check the packaging of the product you’re actually taking with you, especially if an allergen or dietary requirement determines your choice.
Céréal Speculoos almond pieces with no added sugars is one option to consider if you’re looking for a sugar-free claim.
Lotus Biscoff Speculoos is a regular speculoos biscuit, not a sugar-free option.
Albert Heijn’s product information distinguishes between Céréal with no added sugars and AH Gluten-Free Speculaas.
Jumbo provides nutritional information for both Céréal with no added sugars and regular Jumbo Baker’s Speculaas.
For the EU ‘sugar-free’ nutrition claim, solid foods must contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g, under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, published on EUR-Lex. Check both the claim and the nutritional information on the current packaging.
Not for everyone. Check the ingredients, allergens, portion size and other nutritional values too. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises comparing similar products per 100 g; a low sugar value alone doesn’t tell you everything about a product.
Read the warning about how much to consume. According to Jumbo, the Céréal version contains 29 g of polyols per 100 g; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that large amounts of polyols can cause digestive problems.
Not necessarily: according to Albert Heijn, AH Gluten-Free Speculaas contains 27 g of sugars per 100 g. So check the gluten-free claim and sugar content as two separate characteristics.
Check the current packaging for wheat, barley, milk, egg, soya and almonds, among other allergens. Packaging and recipes can change, so don’t base an allergen decision solely on online information you’ve seen before.
