If you need a sugar-free biscuit for the Sinterklaas procession, look for the claim on the packaging rather than relying on the biscuit’s shape: sugar-free shortbread biscuits are an alternative, but they are not spritz biscuits. A biscuit with no added sugars is a different option, as its ingredients may still contain naturally occurring sugars. For biscuits containing polyols, check the ingredients and warnings on the packaging too.
You’re looking for a biscuit whose packaging carries a ‘sugar-free’ claim. A shortbread biscuit may work as an alternative to a spritz biscuit, provided you also check the nutritional information and ingredients on the specific pack you choose.
A biscuit with no added sugars may be suitable as a treat for the procession. This claim doesn’t rule out naturally occurring sugars, as Albert Heijn explains in its biscuit recipe with dates.
You’d rather choose a familiar type of biscuit than focus on a particular sugar claim. Don’t present a standard spritz biscuit as sugar-free: Verkade lists sugar among the ingredients of Nobo Sprits Melk.
First decide whether you need a ‘sugar-free’ biscuit, or whether one with no added sugars or a standard spritz biscuit would also be suitable. Then check the label on the exact biscuits you’re buying or handing out.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar claim | Compare the claim on the packaging with the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. | If I want to strictly avoid sugar, the biscuit I choose must genuinely be sugar-free. Around 40% of consumers give this requirement top priority. |
| Type of biscuit and handing them out | Check the type of biscuit and the number of pieces; a plain biscuit or shortbread biscuit isn’t a spritz biscuit. | For a treat at the procession, I want a biscuit that’s easy to hand out, even if it isn’t a spritz biscuit. This comes first for around 30% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and warnings | Read the current ingredients, allergen information and any warning about polyols on the packaging. | When I bring biscuits for other people, I want to know in advance what ingredients they contain and what warnings apply. For around 30% of consumers, checking this is their top priority. |
Ingredients may contain naturally occurring sugars. For example, Albert Heijn lists dates as an ingredient in a biscuit recipe with no added sugars.
Check both the exact claim and the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. For the EU ‘sugar-free’ claim, Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 sets a limit of no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g for solid foods.
The name ‘spritz biscuit’ says nothing about a sugar claim. Verkade lists sugar among the ingredients of Nobo Sprits Melk.
When handing them out, keep standard spritz biscuits clearly separate from biscuits carrying a sugar-free claim.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that a high intake of polyols can cause wind and diarrhoea. PLUS includes a warning on Céréal coconut biscuits with no sugars about a possible laxative effect if consumed in excess.
Check the ingredients and warning on the pack you choose, especially if someone might eat several biscuits.
Ingredients, nutritional information and allergen details can change, as Albert Heijn notes in its product information.
Check the packaging for the exact variant before buying or handing it out.
Céréal offers biscuits with no sugars in several varieties. They’re alternatives to spritz biscuits, not confirmed sugar-free spritz biscuits.
Verkade offers spritz biscuits as well as San Francisco Zero, a plain biscuit the brand describes as having ‘no added sugars’.
Albert Heijn sells standard spritz biscuits and also offers other types of biscuits and a recipe with no added sugars.
No, its ingredients may still contain naturally occurring sugars. Albert Heijn gives dates as an example in a biscuit recipe with no added sugars. For the EU ‘sugar-free’ claim, Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 sets a limit of no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g for solid foods. Check the claim and nutritional information on the label.
Check the ingredients and any warning about a laxative effect on the packaging. Maltitol is a polyol; according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a high intake of polyols can cause wind and diarrhoea. This is also worth bearing in mind when you’re handing out biscuits and someone might eat several.
No, ‘sugar-free’ says nothing about allergens. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging for the variant you choose; Albert Heijn notes that product information can change.
