Who is this choice relevant to?

Families with a strict sugar-free requirement

For households that want to check the claim on the front of the pack against the amount of sugars per 100 g in the nutrition information.

Large households planning their supplies

For shoppers who want to compare pack size and the number of biscuits per pack, as well as the sugar content.

Families who check ingredients carefully

For households where allergens or sensitivity to polyols matter when choosing a pack to share among several people.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, check the sugar content per 100 g. Then compare the pack size and ingredients for everyone who will be eating the speculaas biscuits.

What to look for What to check when buying Who it matters to
Sugar content Read the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. Under the annex to EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the ‘sugar-free’ nutrition claim is limited to a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. If I’m looking for sugar-free speculaas, I don’t want to rely only on the wording on the front of the pack. For around 42% of shoppers, sugar content is the deciding factor.
Pack size Compare the net weight and the number of biscuits per pack; check larger packs against the sugar limit too. When several people will be eating them, I want to know how long a pack will last without compromising on the sugar-free requirement. For around 33% of shoppers, stocking up for the family comes first.
Ingredients and polyols Read the current allergen information and check for polyols. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that a high intake of polyols may cause digestive problems. If family members don’t all tolerate the same ingredients, I want to know whether everyone can enjoy them. For around 25% of shoppers, allergens and tolerance are the main considerations.

Common mistakes when choosing

  • Reading ‘no added sugars’ as ‘sugar-free’

    The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that products with no added sugars may still contain sugars. So that wording alone doesn’t confirm that speculaas meets the sugar-free limit.

    Before choosing a pack as sugar-free, check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g in the nutrition information.

  • Assuming a large pack is an equivalent alternative

    Jumbo lists its Bakkers Speculaas in a 600 g pack, but also states that it contains 29.0 g of sugars per 100 g. So this larger pack doesn’t meet the sugar-free selection requirement.

    Only compare pack sizes once you’ve confirmed that the product meets your sugar criteria.

  • Overlooking allergens and polyols

    A low sugar content doesn’t tell you which allergens or sweeteners a biscuit contains. For the Céréal variety, Jumbo lists almonds, barley, egg, milk, soya and wheat, as well as polyols.

    Check the current packaging before buying speculaas for several family members, especially if ingredients or polyols are a concern for anyone.

Relevant brands and retailers

Céréal

The Speculoos with almond pieces variety is a specific option to check against the sugar-free requirement.

  • Jumbo lists 0.4 g of sugars per 100 g for this variety.
  • The pack contains 110 g. Check the allergens and polyols too if several family members will be eating them.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists Céréal Speculoos with almond pieces, no sugars, in the ‘Sugar-conscious biscuits’ category.

  • The product name and 110 g pack size help you identify the variety.
  • ‘Sugar-conscious’ is a category label; check the sugar content of each individual product.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists both the 110 g Céréal variety and its 600 g Jumbo Bakkers Speculaas.

  • The stated sugar content helps you check whether the Céréal variety meets the sugar-free limit.
  • According to the product information, Jumbo Bakkers Speculaas contains 29.0 g of sugars per 100 g, so it isn’t a sugar-free alternative.

Joybuy products related to this topic

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Frequently asked questions

When can speculaas be called ‘sugar-free’?

Under the annex to EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the ‘sugar-free’ nutrition claim can be used when a product contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. So, when checking speculaas, look at the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g in the nutrition information.

Does ‘no added sugars’ mean the same thing?

No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that a product with no added sugars may still contain sugars. The stated amount of sugars per 100 g determines whether it also meets the sugar-free limit.

Does ‘sugar-free’ tell me everything about the nutritional value?

No. The claim relates to sugars; Jumbo also lists 404 kcal per 100 g for Céréal Speculoos with almond pieces. Check the full nutrition information if other values matter to your choice too.

What should I check if family members are sensitive to certain ingredients?

Read the allergen information and ingredients on the current packaging. For the Céréal variety mentioned, Jumbo lists almonds, barley, egg, milk, soya and wheat, among other ingredients. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that a high intake of polyols may cause digestive problems in some people.

Is the Céréal variety a large pack for families?

No, the pack listed by Jumbo contains 110 g. Use the pack size and number of biscuits to work out how many packs you’ll need; don’t assume that a larger pack of ordinary speculaas is sugar-free too.