Which option is right for you?

If you want a strictly sugar-free option

For you, the sugar content per 100 g matters more than the spritz shape. A speculoos biscuit may therefore suit your requirements better than a spritz biscuit.

If you enjoy spritz biscuits and want less sugar

You want to stick with the spritz shape, even if the biscuit doesn’t meet the ‘sugar-free’ threshold. Compare the nutritional values per 100 g and consider how many biscuits you’ll take with you.

If you check sweeteners and allergens

As well as sugar, the ingredients and warnings on the packaging are key for you. This also applies when you’re buying biscuits for someone else.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether ‘sugar-free’ is a must, or whether you’re mainly looking for a spritz biscuit with less sugar. Then check the ingredients and how many you plan to eat during the film.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Strictly sugar-free Check the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g. Under the EU regulation on nutrition and health claims, a solid food can only be called ‘sugar-free’ if it contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. I want a biscuit that meets the sugar-free threshold, even if it isn’t a spritz. This is the top priority for around 50% of consumers.
Keeping the spritz shape Check the type of biscuit and compare the sugars per 100 g. A low value per biscuit isn’t the same as meeting the sugar-free threshold. For a film, I specifically want a spritz biscuit, and I’m happy to accept a lower sugar content without a sugar-free claim. This is the main priority for around 30% of consumers.
Ingredients and tolerance Read the ingredients, allergen information and warnings on the current packaging, including any mention of maltitol or other polyols. When choosing biscuits for myself or someone else, I want to know which sweeteners and allergens they contain. Around 20% of consumers consider this the most important check.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘no added sugars’ means ‘sugar-free’

    A biscuit can contain sugars that occur naturally. Albert Heijn points this out for Verkade San Francisco Zero, despite its ‘no added sugar’ label.

    For a strictly sugar-free option, check the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g. Under the EU regulation, the threshold for the ‘sugar-free’ claim is no more than 0.5 g per 100 g.

  • Looking only at sugar, not at the portion

    A lower sugar value doesn’t tell you how much energy or how many carbohydrates you’ll consume if you eat several biscuits.

    Also compare the nutritional information per portion and decide how many biscuits you plan to eat during the film.

  • Overlooking sweeteners and allergens

    Maltitol is a polyol. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, large amounts of polyols can cause digestive problems. Ingredients and allergens also vary between biscuits.

    Before buying, check the ingredients list, allergen information and any warning about excessive consumption on the current packaging.

Brands compared

Damhert

Damhert Low Carb Sprits Natuur is worth considering if you’re looking for a spritz biscuit with a low sugar content.

  • Product information from Gezondheid aan huis lists less than 0.5 g of sugars per 11 g biscuit and 2.4 g of polyols per biscuit.
  • The listed 0.7 g of sugars per 100 g is above the EU threshold for the ‘sugar-free’ claim. Check the allergen information and warning about excessive consumption too.

Verkade

Verkade San Francisco Zero is a biscuit with no added sugars, not a spritz biscuit.

  • Albert Heijn states that the biscuit contains no added sugar.
  • Albert Heijn also lists naturally occurring sugars and sweeteners. ‘No added sugars’ therefore doesn’t mean ‘sugar-free’.

Céréal

Céréal Speculoos with Almond Pieces is an option if meeting the sugar-free threshold matters more than the spritz shape.

  • Céréal lists 0.4 g of sugars per 100 g for this speculoos biscuit.
  • It isn’t a spritz biscuit. Céréal also lists polyols, so check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging.

Related products at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘no added sugars’ mean the same as sugar-free?

No. Under the EU regulation on nutrition and health claims, a solid food can only be called ‘sugar-free’ if it contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. A product with no added sugars may still contain sugars that occur naturally, as Albert Heijn notes for Verkade San Francisco Zero.

Is Damhert Low Carb Sprits Natuur sugar-free?

No. Its listed value of 0.7 g of sugars per 100 g is above the EU threshold of no more than 0.5 g per 100 g for the ‘sugar-free’ claim. When comparing products, look at the value per 100 g, not just the amount of sugar per biscuit.

Why do some biscuits carry a warning about a laxative effect?

The warning is linked to the use of polyols, including maltitol. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, large amounts of polyols can cause digestive problems. Read the warning on the packaging, especially if you plan to eat several biscuits.