Who is this relevant to?

The sugar-conscious brunch planner

You want to serve spiced biscuits that are low in sugars, so you check the claim and nutrition information on the packaging rather than relying on the product name alone.

The host who checks for allergens

You take into account guests who need to avoid ingredients such as nuts, wheat, eggs, milk or soya. Even with a sugar-free biscuit, you still need to check the full ingredients and allergen information.

The fan of familiar spiced-biscuit flavours

You’re looking for something to serve with coffee or tea, but want to know which sweetener has been used and how much sugar and carbohydrate your chosen option contains before serving it.

What should you look for when choosing?

For an Easter brunch, packaged speculoos and baking your own are two different options. The packaging gives you a nutrition table to check, while baking at home lets you choose the ingredients, but you’ll need to assess the finished biscuits yourself. You can also serve regular spiced biscuits, as long as guests know which option isn’t sugar-free.

Packaged Céréal speculoos

A good choice when: You’re looking for a biscuit to serve with coffee or tea and want to check the sugar content on the current packaging.

Consider: According to Céréal, this variety contains 0.4 g of sugars and 62 g of carbohydrate per 100 g. Allergens listed by Jumbo include wheat, almonds, eggs, milk, soya and barley.

Homemade spiced biscuits

A good choice when: You want to choose the ingredients and portion size yourself. Jumbo publishes a recipe titled ‘Sugar-free spiced biscuits’.

Consider: Baking takes time, and whether you can describe your version as sugar-free and serve it to your guests depends on the ingredients and quantities you actually use.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Sugar claim Compare the claim with the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g on the current packaging. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, products can only be labelled ‘sugar-free’ if they contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. I want to serve a biscuit with a sugar claim I can verify, rather than relying on the front of the packaging. For around 45% of consumers, this check comes first.
Ingredients and allergens Check the allergen information, sweetener used and carbohydrate content per 100 g and per portion. For the Céréal variety, Jumbo lists wheat, almonds, eggs, milk, soya and barley, among other things. If guests need to avoid allergens or certain ingredients, I don’t want to assume that ‘sugar-free’ also means suitable for them. Around 36% of consumers give this check the highest priority.
Flavour and portion size Check the portion size and keep regular and sugar-free biscuits clearly separate. Céréal lists 44 kcal per biscuit; how you plan to serve them will determine how many to put out. With coffee or tea, I want to offer a familiar biscuit and decide in advance how many to serve. This is the most important consideration for around 19% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing ‘sugar-free’ with ‘no added sugars’

    These are different nutrition claims. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, a solid food can only be labelled ‘sugar-free’ if it contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g.

    As well as checking the claim, look at the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutrition table on the packaging you buy.

  • Assuming a sugar-free biscuit is also allergen-free

    The Céréal speculoos listed by Jumbo contains wheat, almonds, eggs, milk, soya and barley, among other ingredients. Céréal also lists 62 g of carbohydrate per 100 g, so the sugar claim doesn’t tell you everything about what’s in it.

    If your guests have specific dietary requirements, check the current ingredients and allergen information and choose a separate suitable product if needed.

  • Overlooking maltitol

    Céréal lists 29 g of polyols per 100 g for its speculoos with almond pieces. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that consuming large amounts of polyols can cause flatulence and diarrhoea.

    Check the sweetener and portion size on the packaging, especially if you’re serving other products containing polyols at brunch.

Brands and retailers to consider

Céréal

Its speculoos with almond pieces is a packaged biscuit for anyone who wants to check the sugar content per 100 g.

  • Céréal lists 0.4 g of sugars per 100 g and uses maltitol as a sweetener.
  • The same product information lists 62 g of carbohydrate and 29 g of polyols per 100 g. Check the allergens on the current packaging too.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists Céréal Speculoos with almond pieces, with no sugars, in its sugar-conscious biscuit category.

  • The product listing makes it easier to identify the intended variety by its name and packaging.
  • Albert Heijn notes that product information can change, so check the current packaging for ingredients and allergens.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists the 110 g pack of Céréal biscuits and also publishes a recipe for sugar-free spiced biscuits.

  • For the packaged variety, Jumbo lists the ingredients and allergens; the recipe gives you the option to choose your own ingredients.
  • A recipe title doesn’t determine whether your finished biscuits meet the requirements for the ‘sugar-free’ claim.

Lotus Biscoff

A familiar option for classic spiced-biscuit flavour, but not a sugar-free choice.

  • A separate, regular option for guests who aren’t looking for a sugar-free biscuit.
  • Lotus Biscoff lists sugar and candy syrup as ingredients, and 38.10 g of sugars per 100 g.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

What does ‘sugar-free’ mean on a pack of spiced biscuits?

Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, solid foods can only carry the ‘sugar-free’ nutrition claim if they contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. ‘No added sugars’ is a different claim, so check the nutrition information on the current packaging too.

Is Céréal Speculoos with almond pieces suitable for a nut-free or gluten-free brunch?

No, not as a general option for guests who need to avoid nuts or gluten. Jumbo lists almonds, wheat and barley, among other ingredients, for this variety. Always check the current packaging before serving it.

Does a low sugar content in these speculoos biscuits also mean they’re low in carbohydrate?

No. Céréal lists 0.4 g of sugars for its speculoos with almond pieces, but 62 g of carbohydrate per 100 g, including 29 g of polyols. Check the full nutrition information, not just the sugar content.