Label-conscious tea drinker
You’re looking for a biscuit that meets the EU requirements for a ‘sugar-free’ claim. So you check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g and don’t assume that ‘zero’ or ‘no added sugars’ means the same thing.
Who is this distinction important for?
Mindful of portions and energy
You keep an eye on sugar, but also want to know how much energy and fat the biscuit contains per 100 g and per portion.
Sweetener and allergen checker
You read the ingredients and allergen information carefully, perhaps because you want to know whether the biscuit contains polyols, wheat, milk or soya.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you’re looking for a strictly sugar-free biscuit or mainly want to avoid added sugars. Then compare the ingredients and nutritional information for the portion you plan to have with your tea.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Especially relevant if |
|---|---|---|
| The sugar claim | Compare the claim with the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. According to the European Commission, biscuits labelled ‘sugar-free’ must contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. | I specifically want a sugar-free biscuit, so the total sugar content needs to meet that requirement. For around 36% of consumers, this is the most important check. |
| Polyols and allergens | Read the ingredients, allergen information and any warning about excessive consumption. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what’s in the biscuit before I eat it. Checking ingredients is the top priority for roughly 29% of consumers. |
| Nutritional information and portion size | Compare energy, fat and fibre per 100 g, and check how many biscuits make up a portion. | I want to choose a portion to have with my tea with the nutritional information in mind, not just the sugar content. This is the main consideration for around 21% of consumers. |
| Taste and convenience | Check the type of biscuit, portion packaging and storage instructions. | Once the sugar claim and ingredients work for me, I’m looking for a biscuit I’ll enjoy with my tea and can store easily. This is the deciding factor for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘zero’ means ‘sugar-free’
A biscuit with no added sugars may still contain sugars that occur naturally. According to the European Commission, a biscuit carrying the ‘sugar-free’ claim must contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g in total.
If you want a strictly sugar-free option, check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g on the pack.
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Forgetting about portion size because of the sugar claim
A sugar-free biscuit still contains energy. For example, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 43 kilocalories for a 10 g sugar-free biscuit; that figure doesn’t apply to every biscuit.
Check the energy per 100 g and the weight of the portion you actually eat.
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Overlooking a warning about polyols
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, large amounts of polyols can cause digestive problems. Some biscuits containing polyols therefore carry a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Read the ingredients and any warning on the pack before having several biscuits.
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Taking the sugar claim as allergen information
‘Sugar-free’ tells you nothing about whether a product contains allergens. Biscuits in this category may contain wheat, milk or soya, for example.
Check the current allergen information on the pack, even if you’ve bought the same biscuit before.
Brands and product ranges to help you compare
Céréal
Céréal makes a coconut biscuit marketed as having ‘no sugars’.
- Jumbo’s product information lists 0 g sugars, 4.1 g fibre and 18 g polyols per 100 g for this variety.
- The ingredients information lists maltitol and wheat. Also check the pack for information about possible traces of allergens.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s own-brand range includes a Digestive 0% Sugar biscuit.
- Albert Heijn lists 0.3 g sugars, 14 g polyols and 5.7 g fibre per 100 g for this biscuit.
- The product information lists wheat and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Check the current packaging when you buy it.
Verkade
Verkade San Francisco zero is a biscuit with no added sugars, rather than a strictly sugar-free option based on its stated total sugar content.
- Albert Heijn’s product information distinguishes ‘0% added sugar’ from sugars that occur naturally.
- This variety is listed as containing 1.7 g sugars per 100 g. The ingredients information also lists maltitol, wheat, milk and soya.
Sondey
Lidl describes Sondey as a brand offering biscuits, wafers and bars, among other products.
- The range includes a variety of biscuits and snacks.
- If you’re looking for a sugar-free option, check the label of the specific Sondey variety, including the sugars per 100 g.
Biscuits to enjoy with your tea on Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
When can a biscuit be called ‘sugar-free’?
According to the European Commission, the ‘sugar-free’ claim can only be used for a biscuit in the EU if it contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g on the pack.
Does ‘no added sugars’ mean the same as ‘sugar-free’?
No. A biscuit with no added sugars may still contain sugars that occur naturally. For example, Albert Heijn lists Verkade San Francisco zero as having ‘0% added sugar’ and 1.7 g sugars per 100 g.
Why do some packs carry a warning about a laxative effect?
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, large amounts of polyols can cause digestive problems. If a biscuit contains polyols, read the warning on the pack and be mindful of how many you eat.
What should I check if the product page and packaging differ?
Check the current packaging for the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information of the biscuit you’re going to eat. Albert Heijn says that product information can change, so a product page is best used for an initial comparison.