Who is this choice relevant to?

Shoppers who check sugar claims carefully

You’re looking for a biscuit explicitly labelled ‘sugar-free’ and also comparing the amount of ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. This helps you tell the difference between it and a product with no added sugar.

Shoppers looking for a small top-up

You want biscuits for a few breakfasts or coffee breaks, so you’re checking the number of biscuits, the portion size and the total pack contents rather than looking at the sugar claim alone.

Shoppers who check ingredients closely

You take sweeteners, polyols and allergens into account. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that a high intake of polyols can cause wind or diarrhoea in some people.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you’re looking for a biscuit with no sugars or mainly want to avoid added sugar. Then compare the packaging and read the ingredients and nutritional information for the variant you want to buy.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Sugar claim Read the product claim and check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. Don’t assume ‘sugar-free’ means the same as ‘no added sugar’. For a coffee break, I mainly want a biscuit with as few declared sugars as possible, so I look beyond the front of the pack. For around 40% of shoppers, the sugar claim comes first.
Portions Compare the number of biscuits, the weight per biscuit and the total pack contents. Jumbo lists Céréal Coconut as a pack of 3 x 4 biscuits, with each biscuit weighing 11 g. If I’m only buying a few biscuits for a handful of occasions, I want to know how many the pack contains. Around 30% of shoppers give this portioning convenience top priority.
Sweeteners and allergens Check the ingredients, any polyols and the allergens in the exact variant. For Céréal Speculoos, Jumbo’s product information lists, among other things, almonds, egg, milk, soya, barley and wheat. A low sugar figure doesn’t help me choose if I need to avoid an ingredient or take polyols into account. For around 20% of shoppers, this is their main concern.
Pack size Check that the total pack contents suit the occasions you’re buying biscuits for. Albert Heijn lists AH Digestive 0% Sugar in a 400 g pack. If I’m buying biscuits to keep at home for several occasions, I mainly look at how much the pack contains. Around 10% of shoppers prioritise having enough in stock.

Common mistakes

  • Taking ‘no added sugar’ to mean ‘sugar-free’

    Albert Heijn lists Verkade San Francisco Zero as having 0% added sugar, but also naturally occurring sugars and 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g. So the claim alone doesn’t tell you how much sugar the biscuit contains.

    Check the ‘of which sugars’ row, and always use the same 100 g basis when comparing products.

  • Overlooking polyols

    Several biscuits in this selection contain maltitol or other polyols. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that a high intake of polyols can cause wind and diarrhoea, and that sensitivity varies from person to person.

    Read the ingredients and the warning on the pack, especially if polyols are a concern for you.

  • Assuming a sugar claim means the product is low in calories

    A sugar-free biscuit can still contain a significant amount of energy. Albert Heijn lists AH Digestive 0% Sugar as containing 465 kcal per 100 g.

    As well as sugars, compare the energy, saturated fat and portion size shown in the nutrition table.

  • Choosing by brand name instead of reading the label

    A brand or range can include different types of biscuits. Spiced breakfast cake with no added sugar is also not the same type of product as a sugar-free biscuit.

    Before choosing, check the category, sugar claim, nutritional information and allergens for the exact product.

Brands and product ranges to consider

Compare specific variants: a brand name alone tells you nothing about a biscuit’s sugar claim or ingredients.

Albert Heijn

According to Albert Heijn’s product information, AH Digestive 0% Sugar is a biscuit with sweeteners, sold in a 400 g pack.

  • The declared sugar content is 0.3 g per 100 g; the variant is described as vegan and lactose-free.
  • The variant contains wheat and, according to Albert Heijn, 14 g of polyols and 465 kcal per 100 g. Check the latest label when you buy it.

Céréal

Jumbo sells the Coconut and Speculoos variants as sugar-free biscuits.

  • Jumbo lists 0 g of sugars per 100 g for Coconut and 0.4 g per 100 g for Speculoos with almond pieces.
  • Both variants contain maltitol. For Speculoos, also check the allergens carefully, including almonds, egg, milk, soya, barley and wheat.

Verkade

San Francisco Zero is a biscuit labelled 0% added sugar.

  • This claim may suit you if you want to avoid added sugar but don’t require the product to contain no sugars at all.
  • Albert Heijn lists naturally occurring sugars, 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g, and the allergens wheat, milk and soya for this variant.

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus Bakeries describes Biscoff as a crunchy biscuit with a caramelised flavour.

  • Don’t infer a sugar claim from the brand name. If you’re looking for a sugar-free biscuit, check the claim and nutritional information on the specific pack.

Lidl / Sondey

Lidl describes Sondey as a range of biscuits and snacks.

  • Check the current sugar claim, ingredients and nutritional information for each biscuit. The range as a whole doesn’t have one shared recipe.

ALDI

Among its snacks, ALDI includes spiced breakfast cake with no added sugar.

  • Spiced breakfast cake isn’t a biscuit. For this purchase, check the category and label of the specific product.

Products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is a biscuit with 0% added sugar also sugar-free?

No, the two terms don’t mean the same thing. Albert Heijn lists Verkade San Francisco Zero as having 0% added sugar, but also naturally occurring sugars and 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g. So always check ‘of which sugars’ in the nutrition table.

What should I look at besides sugars when buying biscuits for breakfast?

Also compare the portion size, energy, saturated fat and fibre on the label. A sugar claim doesn’t describe the full nutritional value. For example, Albert Heijn lists AH Digestive 0% Sugar as containing 465 kcal per 100 g.

Why do some packs warn about a laxative effect?

For the variants mentioned, the warning relates to excessive consumption of products containing polyols, including maltitol. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a high intake of polyols can cause wind and diarrhoea; sensitivity varies from person to person. Check the ingredients and instructions on the pack.

How should I store biscuits after a small top-up?

Follow the storage instructions on the pack you choose. Albert Heijn advises storing AH Digestive 0% Sugar in a cool, dark and dry place, and keeping it in a sealed tin once opened. For Verkade San Francisco Zero, the product information says to store in a cool, dry place.