A sugar-free biscuit isn’t automatically low in fat. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a product can contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g to be labelled ‘sugar-free’, while the limit for ‘low-fat’ is 3 g of fat per 100 g. The sugar-free biscuits from Albert Heijn and Céréal compared here contain 15 to 20 g of fat per 100 g, so they don’t meet the low-fat limit. If you’re looking for both qualities, check both figures on the label. ‘No added sugar’ also isn’t the same as sugar-free.
You only want to choose a biscuit if the figures per 100 g meet both limits. A sugar-free label alone doesn’t tell you whether it does: the sugar-free biscuits from Albert Heijn and Céréal compared here don’t meet the low-fat limit.
Sugar-free is your priority, but you also want to compare total and saturated fat. The nutritional information from Jumbo and Albert Heijn shows why fat remains a separate point of comparison.
You check the ingredients and warnings if a biscuit contains, for example, maltitol or isomalt. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, consuming large amounts of polyols can cause digestive problems.
Start with the figures per 100 g: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets separate limits of no more than 0.5 g of sugars for ‘sugar-free’ and no more than 3 g of fat for ‘low-fat’. Then consider which other qualities matter most to you.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar-free and low-fat | Check both sugars and total fat per 100 g against the separate limits for each claim. | I only want to choose a biscuit if it meets both requirements; around 33% of consumers prioritise this combination. |
| Fat content in sugar-free biscuits | Compare total fat per 100 g across products that meet the sugar-free limit. | If sugar-free is non-negotiable for me, I want to know how much fat the different biscuits contain. For around 27% of consumers, this difference between products is the main consideration. |
| Saturated fat and ingredients | As well as total fat, check ‘of which saturates’ per 100 g and look at the ingredients. | A sugar claim doesn’t tell me enough about the rest of the ingredients; around 20% of consumers say this additional information is their main priority. |
| Sweeteners and portion size | Check the ingredients for polyols, read any warnings and consider the portion size. | I want to know which sweeteners are in the biscuit and how much I’m eating. This practical consideration matters most to around 20% of consumers. |
These are two different nutrition claims. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘low-fat’ means no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g. The sugar-free biscuits from Albert Heijn and Céréal compared here contain 15 to 20 g of fat per 100 g.
Check both ‘fat’ and ‘of which sugars’ in the same nutrition table, making sure the figures are per 100 g.
A product with no added sugar may still contain sugars. Albert Heijn lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Verkade San Francisco zero, which is above the limit the Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets for ‘sugar-free’.
If sugar-free is a requirement, check the amount of sugars per 100 g rather than relying on the wording on the front of the pack.
Some of the biscuits compared contain polyols such as maltitol or isomalt. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that consuming large amounts of polyols can cause digestive problems.
Check which sweeteners the product contains and take note of any warnings on the packaging about excessive consumption.
The information on a product page may differ from that on the pack you buy. Albert Heijn notes that recipes and nutritional values can change.
Check the packaging again when you buy the product, especially for nutritional values, ingredients and allergens.
These brands offer examples you can use to compare sugar claims and nutritional values. A brand name alone doesn’t tell you whether a particular biscuit is both sugar-free and low-fat.
Jumbo lists several Céréal biscuits with no sugars, including coconut and speculoos varieties with almond pieces.
AH Digestive 0% suiker is a supermarket own-brand biscuit whose sugar and fat figures can be compared separately.
Verkade San Francisco zero is an example for anyone looking to distinguish ‘no added sugar’ from ‘sugar-free’.
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets a limit of no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g for ‘sugar-free’ and no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g for ‘low-fat’. The sugar-free biscuits from Albert Heijn and Céréal compared here contain 15 to 20 g of fat per 100 g, so check both figures on the packaging.
No, the product may still contain sugars. Albert Heijn lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Verkade San Francisco zero, despite the claim about added sugar. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets a limit of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g for the ‘sugar-free’ claim.
Some biscuits contain polyols, such as maltitol or isomalt, and may carry a warning about a laxative effect if consumed in excess. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, consuming large amounts of polyols can cause digestive problems. So check the ingredients and the instructions on the packaging.
For this comparison, focus on fat, of which saturates, and sugars per 100 g. Your Europe states that the nutrition declaration for prepacked foods in the EU includes fat, saturates and sugars, among other things. The figures per 100 g make it possible to check the separate limits for ‘low-fat’ and ‘sugar-free’.
