Who should take note?

If you’re looking for strictly sugar-free biscuits

‘Less sugar’ isn’t enough for you. You want to be able to check whether the ‘sugar-free’ claim matches the nutritional information for a spritz biscuit or an alternative biscuit.

If you want to avoid added sugars

You’re happy to have a different kind of biscuit with your coffee, as long as you take the difference between ‘no added sugars’ and ‘sugar-free’ into account when choosing.

If you mainly want a classic spritz biscuit

Your first choice for coffee is a spritz biscuit. In that case, the ingredients, nutritional information per 100 g, portion size and allergens are more useful to compare than a sugar claim alone.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether ‘sugar-free’ is a firm requirement. If it isn’t, you can choose between a biscuit with no added sugars and a traditional spritz biscuit, then compare the nutritional information per 100 g.

What to consider Check Who it’s for
Strictly sugar-free Check for the ‘sugar-free’ claim and a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g; this limit is set out in the EU regulation listed on EUR-Lex. If I really want sugar-free biscuits with my morning coffee, a similar claim isn’t enough. For around 50% of consumers, this strict requirement would come first.
No or less added sugar Compare ‘no added sugars’ with ‘less sugar’, and also check the amount of sugars per 100 g. I want to watch my added sugar intake, but I can accept that another biscuit still contains sugars. Around 30% of consumers would consider this more important than a strictly sugar-free claim.
Classic spritz biscuits Check the ingredients, sugars per 100 g, portion size and allergens on the packaging. For my coffee break, I mainly want a traditional spritz biscuit and make an informed choice using the nutritional information. This preference would take priority for around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

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

    A biscuit with no added sugars can still contain sugars. Verkade states that San Francisco Zero contains 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g.

    If sugar-free is a requirement, check the claim and the nutritional information. Under the EU regulation listed on EUR-Lex, a solid food must contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g to make this claim.

  • Relying only on ‘less sugar’

    That claim doesn’t tell you how much sugar the biscuit contains. PLUS states that Elvee Chocolade spritsen minder suiker contains 28 g of sugars per 100 g.

    Read the nutritional information per 100 g, then decide whether the amount in your planned portion matters to your choice.

  • Assuming classic spritz biscuits are sugar-free

    According to their product information, PLUS Spritsen, Verkade Nobo Sprits Original and AH Spritsen contain 21.4 g, 24.2 g and 28 g of sugars per 100 g respectively.

    If sugar-free is a firm requirement, don’t choose a classic spritz biscuit without checking the label; a different type of biscuit may be a better fit for what you’re looking for.

  • Relying only on online product information

    Ingredients, allergens and availability depend on the product and the shop where you actually buy it.

    Read the label on the packaging before eating, and check availability for your shop or delivery area before placing an order.

Brands compared

These product ranges show why a biscuit’s name and sugar claim aren’t enough to treat spritz biscuits and other biscuits as the same thing.

Verkade

Verkade sells both Nobo Sprits Original and a different type of biscuit, San Francisco Zero.

  • According to Verkade, Nobo Sprits Original contains 24.2 g of sugars per 100 g.
  • Verkade describes San Francisco Zero as having ‘no added sugars’, but states that it contains 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g. It is not a spritz biscuit and therefore does not meet the EU limit for the ‘sugar-free’ claim.

Albert Heijn

AH Spritsen is a useful point of comparison if you’re looking for a classic spritz biscuit to enjoy with your coffee.

  • Albert Heijn lists 29% butter in the ingredients.
  • The nutritional information lists 28 g of sugars per 100 g, of which 25 g are added sugars. Albert Heijn names wheat and milk among the allergens; also check the may-contain warnings on the packaging.

PLUS

PLUS Spritsen provides a point of comparison among traditional spritz biscuits.

  • PLUS lists the total amount of sugars and the amount of added sugars separately.
  • According to PLUS, PLUS Spritsen contains 21.4 g of sugars and 21.1 g of added sugars per 100 g; it is not a sugar-free option.

Elvee

Elvee Chocolade spritsen minder suiker is worth considering if you’re comparing a spritz-style biscuit with a ‘less sugar’ claim.

  • The product name makes it clear which chocolate version you’re comparing.
  • PLUS states that this Elvee version contains 28 g of sugars per 100 g and lists milk and soya as allergens. The ‘less sugar’ claim does not make the product sugar-free.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

When can a biscuit be called ‘sugar-free’?

Under the EU regulation listed on EUR-Lex, a solid food can only be labelled ‘sugar-free’ if it contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. Check the claim on the packaging alongside the nutritional information per 100 g.

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

No. Verkade describes San Francisco Zero as having ‘no added sugars’, but states that it contains 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g. That is above the EU limit of 0.5 g per 100 g for the ‘sugar-free’ claim. It is also a biscuit, not a spritz biscuit.

Does ‘less sugar’ mean that a spritz biscuit contains little sugar?

No, the claim doesn’t tell you the absolute amount of sugars. PLUS states that Elvee Chocolade spritsen minder suiker contains 28 g of sugars per 100 g. So compare the nutritional information per 100 g rather than relying only on the wording on the front of the pack.

Which allergens should I check in spritz biscuits?

Check the allergens on the packaging of the spritz biscuit you choose. For AH Spritsen, Albert Heijn lists wheat and milk among the ingredients, as well as possible traces of other allergens. Ingredients and may-contain warnings can vary between products.

How should I store spritz biscuits or an alternative biscuit?

Follow the storage instructions on the packaging of the product you choose. Verkade recommends storing Nobo Sprits Original in a dry, preferably cool place; PLUS says to store PLUS Spritsen in a cool, dry place.