If you’re looking for a ready-made plant-based biscuit, don’t rely on the name ‘spritz’ or ‘digestive’ alone. The classic spritz biscuits we looked at contain milk ingredients, while one plain digestive we checked is labelled as plant-based. Check the current ingredients list for each product; if you also need to avoid milk or gluten, check the allergen information separately. Baking your own is another option if you want to choose the ingredients yourself.
You’re looking for a ready-made biscuit without animal ingredients. Product information from Albert Heijn and Verkade shows why the name ‘spritz’ isn’t enough: the products we looked at contain ingredients such as butter, butter oil or whey.
You want a simple biscuit to enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee, and you’re open to trying a plain digestive if the spritz biscuits you’re considering contain milk ingredients. Make sure you check the ingredients of the specific digestive, rather than relying on the type of biscuit alone.
You’re buying plant-based, but also need to watch out for ingredients such as milk or gluten. These require separate checks: the Jumbo digestive we looked at contains wheat and gluten, and the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked foods.
When choosing a ready-made biscuit, start by checking the ingredients of the exact product. If you want to choose what goes into the dough yourself, you could also bake plant-based biscuits.
Choose this when: You’re looking for a ready-made biscuit and find one that’s labelled as plant-based and has a current ingredients list that meets your needs.
Bear in mind: The Jumbo Krokante Digestive Biscuit we looked at is labelled as plant-based, but contains wheat and gluten.
Choose this when: You specifically want spritz biscuits and find a product whose current ingredients meet your vegan requirements.
Bear in mind: The AH Spritsen and Verkade Nobo Sprits Original we looked at contain milk ingredients, so they aren’t suitable for a vegan diet.
Choose this when: You want to choose the ingredients yourself. Albert Heijn Allerhande gives examples of plant-based alternatives to butter and milk in biscuits.
The trade-off: Baking takes time. If you have additional allergy requirements, check each ingredient you use separately too.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Plant-based ingredients | Check the current ingredients list for milk, butter, whey, eggs and other animal ingredients. Don’t rely on the name of the biscuit or a vegetarian label alone. | If I’m buying vegan, I want to be able to rule out animal ingredients before I buy. For around 50% of shoppers, checking the ingredients comes first. |
| An alternative to spritz biscuits | Compare plain and chocolate varieties separately: according to Albert Heijn, AH Digestive Puur contains milk fat. | I’m mainly looking for a ready-made biscuit to enjoy with coffee or tea when the spritz biscuits I’m considering aren’t plant-based. For around 30% of shoppers, finding an alternative like this is the top priority. |
| Additional allergens | As well as the ingredients, check the allergen information against your own requirements. A plant-based label doesn’t mean a product is gluten-free. | If I have a milk allergy or need to avoid gluten, vegan suitability alone isn’t enough. Around 20% of shoppers put this additional check first. |
A biscuit made with vegetable oil may still contain milk ingredients. Verkade lists butter oil and whey permeate powder in Nobo Sprits Original; according to Albert Heijn, AH Spritsen contain butter and whey powder.
Read the full ingredients list rather than focusing on one ingredient or the front of the pack.
‘Digestive’ describes a type of biscuit; it doesn’t tell you whether it’s suitable for vegans or free from allergens. The Jumbo digestive we looked at contains wheat and gluten, while the McVitie's Digestives Original we checked may also contain milk.
Check the ingredients and allergen information separately, based on what you need to avoid.
The plain Jumbo digestive we looked at is labelled as plant-based, while Albert Heijn lists milk fat in AH Digestive Puur. So one variety doesn’t tell you whether another is suitable.
Check the exact flavour you want to buy.
An online description can help you compare products, but the packaging of the biscuit you buy is the best source for current ingredients and allergen information.
Read the label on the pack before eating the biscuit.
These examples show why you need to compare individual products and varieties. A brand name alone doesn’t confirm that a product is suitable for vegans.
Jumbo labels its Krokante Digestive Biscuit 400 g as plant-based.
Nobo Sprits Original is a useful example when checking the ingredients in classic spritz biscuits.
Digestives Original is a plain digestive that you can assess as a separate product.
The product information for AH Spritsen and AH Digestive Puur shows how ingredients can differ between types of biscuit and varieties.
PLUS sells spritz biscuits and digestive products that you can compare by checking each pack.
Lidl lists Sondey Digestives and also mentions vegan options elsewhere in the wider Sondey range.
ALDI describes Biscotto Digestive Biscuits as wheat biscuits in a 400 g pack.
No. According to Albert Heijn, AH Spritsen contain butter and whey powder, while Verkade lists butter oil and whey permeate powder in Nobo Sprits Original. Check the ingredients of the exact spritz biscuits you want to buy.
No, ingredients vary between products. Jumbo labels its Krokante Digestive Biscuit as plant-based, while AH Digestive Puur contains milk fat, according to Albert Heijn. Always check the label for the specific product, whether it’s plain or chocolate.
No. A vegetarian label doesn’t rule out milk ingredients: Albert Heijn lists milk fat in AH Digestive Puur. If you’re choosing a vegan product, check the full ingredients list too.
Yes. A plant-based label doesn’t mean a biscuit is gluten-free or meets your requirements around milk allergens. The Jumbo digestive we looked at contains wheat and gluten; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked products.
Follow the instructions on the packaging. Jumbo advises sealing the digestive we looked at securely after opening and storing it in a dark place; Albert Heijn recommends keeping AH Spritsen in a dry place and sealing the pack securely after use.
