Who is this choice for?

For strict vegans

You want to avoid animal-derived ingredients in both the dough and the filling. A label such as ‘vegetarian’ or ‘sugar-conscious’ isn’t a substitute for checking the ingredients list.

For anyone specifically looking for a sugar-free biscuit

You’re looking for a biscuit labelled ‘sugar-free’, not simply one with no added sugars or a product from a sugar-conscious range.

For anyone who wants an almond-filled biscuit

You care about the shape or filling of a canoe biscuit, but you could also consider another type of biscuit or baking your own plant-based filled biscuit if a ready-made canoe biscuit doesn’t meet your requirements.

What should you look for when choosing?

When choosing a vegan and sugar-free biscuit, check the ingredients and sugar claim first. Then decide whether it really needs to be a canoe biscuit with almond filling.

What to look for What to check when buying Who it matters to
Vegan ingredients Check the current ingredients list for both the dough and filling, looking for ingredients such as milk, butter, whey powder and egg. Don’t rely on the product category alone. If I shop vegan, I don’t want animal-derived ingredients in biscuit dough either. For around 46% of consumers, this vegan requirement comes first.
Sugar-free claim Look for the exact claim ‘sugar-free’ and check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, this claim means a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. When sugar-free is a firm requirement, I don’t want to mistake ‘no added sugars’ for the same claim. Around 36% of consumers give the sugar-free claim top priority.
Shape, filling and convenience Decide whether you need a canoe biscuit with almond paste or whether another type of biscuit will do. If you bake your own, check that all the ingredients you choose meet both requirements. Anyone mainly looking for an almond-filled biscuit may want the option of choosing another biscuit or baking their own. For around 18% of consumers, the shape or convenience matters most.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘sugar-conscious’ means ‘sugar-free’

    A sugar-conscious category doesn’t mean that every biscuit in it meets the ‘sugar-free’ claim.

    Look for the exact claim on the packaging and check the amount of ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g.

  • Checking only the almond filling

    The dough in a canoe biscuit may also contain animal-derived ingredients. For the canoe biscuits it has reviewed, Albert Heijn lists ingredients such as milk products, butter and egg.

    Read the full ingredients list, including the dough, filling and coating, before choosing a biscuit as vegan.

  • Assuming ‘no added sugars’ means ‘sugar-free’

    A product with no added sugars may still contain sugars. The two labels therefore don’t answer the same question when you’re shopping.

    Choose based on the claim you’re looking for, and also compare the nutrition information per 100 g.

  • Relying on an old ingredients list

    Albert Heijn notes that product ingredients and nutrition information may change.

    Check the packaging again when you buy, especially if both vegan ingredients and the sugar claim are essential to you.

Brands to consider as a starting point

Albert Heijn / AH

Albert Heijn offers both a vegan range and a sugar-conscious biscuit category.

  • Individual product pages provide ingredients and nutrition information to help you assess the biscuits.
  • According to Albert Heijn, AH BASIC Kano’s and AH Roomboter kano’s contain sugar and animal-derived ingredients, so neither meets both requirements.

Céréal

Albert Heijn lists Céréal Speculoos stukjes amandel zonder suikers in its sugar-conscious biscuit category.

  • The product listing gives you a starting point if you’re open to other types of biscuit besides canoe biscuits.
  • Speculoos pieces aren’t canoe biscuits. Check the chosen product’s label to confirm that it’s suitable for vegans and carries the exact sugar claim you’re looking for.

Sondey

Lidl Netherlands lists vegan biscuits in its Sondey range.

  • A vegan biscuit could be worth considering if the canoe shape isn’t essential.
  • The brand listing doesn’t mean that a particular biscuit is also sugar-free. Check both requirements on each pack.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are AH BASIC Kano’s and AH Roomboter kano’s vegan and sugar-free?

No, neither meets both requirements. According to Albert Heijn, AH BASIC Kano’s contain sugar, lactose and milk protein. The ingredients list for AH Roomboter kano’s includes sugar, butter concentrate, egg yolk and whey powder, among other ingredients.

What does ‘sugar-free’ mean on a biscuit pack?

According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the nutrition claim ‘sugar-free’ means a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. When comparing biscuits, check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g so differences in portion size don’t affect the comparison.

Does ‘no added sugars’ mean the same as sugar-free?

No. A biscuit with no added sugars may still contain sugars. If you’re specifically looking for a sugar-free biscuit, check the exact claim and the nutrition information rather than relying on this label alone.

How can I check whether a packaged biscuit is vegan?

Read the current ingredients list for the whole biscuit, not just the filling. Look out for ingredients such as milk, butter, whey powder and egg. Check the packaging again when you buy the product, as its recipe may change.

Where can I check whether a sugar-free biscuit contains sweeteners?

Check the ingredients list. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that any sweeteners in a product must be listed on the label, so you can take them into account when making your choice.