If sugar-free is a must, the classic spritz biscuits compared here won’t fit the bill: Verkade lists 24,2 g of sugars per 100 g for Nobo Sprits Original, while Albert Heijn lists 28 g per 100 g for AH Spritsen. Another type of biscuit may be suitable if it contains no more than 0,5 g of sugars per 100 g. If so, be prepared for a different taste and texture, and check the ingredients and allergens too. If you mainly want to avoid added sugars, that’s different from choosing something that’s strictly sugar-free.
You want something with your afternoon coffee that meets the threshold for a sugar-free claim. You’re happy to choose a different biscuit shape instead of a spritz, as long as the nutrition information lists no more than 0,5 g of sugars per 100 g—the threshold set by EU Regulation 1924/2006.
You’re happy with a biscuit that has no added sugars, even if it still contains naturally occurring sugars. So you compare both the claim and the total sugars per 100 g.
You’re looking for the familiar shape and crisp, crumbly texture of a spritz to enjoy with your coffee. If so, it’s worth bearing in mind that the classic spritz biscuits compared here are not sugar-free.
First decide whether sugar-free is a must, or whether you mainly want to avoid added sugars. If a spritz biscuit is what you really want, compare the nutrition information for those biscuits rather than treating another type as an equivalent substitute.
| What to look for | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Strictly sugar-free | Check the total sugars per 100 g: under EU Regulation 1924/2006, a product labelled sugar-free can contain no more than 0,5 g. Also check that you like the type of biscuit. | I want a sugar-free biscuit with my afternoon coffee, even if it isn’t a spritz; around 50% of consumers prioritise being strictly sugar-free. |
| No added sugars | Read the claim and check the total sugars per 100 g; no added sugars doesn’t automatically mean sugar-free. | A biscuit with no added sugars suits my coffee break, even if it still contains sugars. For around 30% of consumers, avoiding added sugars is the main concern. |
| Classic spritz | Check that you’re actually choosing a spritz, and compare the sugars per 100 g on the label. | I mainly want the familiar spritz shape and crisp, crumbly texture with my coffee; around 20% of consumers prioritise that spritz experience. |
Under EU Regulation 1924/2006, these claims have different requirements. Verkade San Francisco Zero is labelled as having no added sugars, but lists 1,7 g of sugars per 100 g.
If you need a sugar-free option, check that the total sugars are no more than 0,5 g per 100 g.
Verkade Nobo Sprits Original lists 24,2 g of sugars per 100 g, while Albert Heijn lists 28 g per 100 g for AH Spritsen. Neither meets the threshold for a sugar-free claim.
Choose these spritz biscuits only if their shape and texture matter more to you than choosing something strictly sugar-free.
The sugar-free Céréal varieties described by Albert Heijn contain maltitols and carry a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. The allergens vary between varieties.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack of the exact variety you want to buy.
A claim about sugars doesn’t tell you about the other ingredients or nutritional values. That’s why the Voedingscentrum also recommends checking the ingredients list and nutrition table.
Compare products per 100 g, and also check the serving size if you want to know how much you’ll have with one coffee break.
A good option if you’re looking for a sugar-free biscuit and aren’t set on a spritz shape. The Sesam vanille and Chocolate chip varieties described by Albert Heijn list 0 g of sugars per 100 g; Speculoos stukjes amandel lists 0,4 g per 100 g.
Choosing between Verkade Nobo Sprits Original and San Francisco Zero also means choosing between a spritz and a biscuit with no added sugars.
The nutrition information for AH Spritsen gives you a useful point of comparison if you want a classic spritz with your coffee.
Under EU Regulation 1924/2006, a sugar-free claim means a product contains no more than 0,5 g of sugars per 100 g or 100 ml. No added sugars means that no mono- or disaccharides, or other foods used for their sweetening properties, have been added; naturally occurring sugars may still be present.
No. Verkade lists 1,7 g of sugars per 100 g for San Francisco Zero, which is above the threshold for a sugar-free claim under EU Regulation 1924/2006. It’s a biscuit with no added sugars, not a spritz.
The classic spritz biscuits compared here aren’t suitable in that case. Verkade lists 24,2 g of sugars per 100 g for Nobo Sprits Original, while Albert Heijn lists 28 g per 100 g for AH Spritsen. Always check the nutrition information for the specific product you’re considering.
Read the ingredients and warnings on the pack of the variety you choose. The sugar-free Céréal biscuits described by Albert Heijn contain maltitols and carry a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Check the allergens for the specific biscuit, not just the sugar claim. The ingredients and information about possible traces vary between the Céréal varieties described here, so check the pack you’re buying.
