Vegan shoppers looking for reassurance on the label
You don’t want to rely on the name ‘speculaas’ or ‘digestive’. You want to be able to check the vegan label or ingredients on the exact pack you’re buying.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Speculoos fans
You’re after speculoos’s caramelised, spiced flavour, perhaps to enjoy with a cup of coffee or use in a recipe, and don’t want to confuse it with a digestive.
Shoppers comparing nutritional information
You compare things such as fibre per 100 g, the grains used and allergens, without treating a single nutritional value as a verdict on the whole biscuit.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, check whether the exact biscuit suits your vegan preferences. Then compare the type of biscuit and, where relevant, the nutritional information and allergens on the packaging.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Vegan suitability | Read the ingredients for the exact variant and check whether it carries a vegan label or certification. | I want to be able to check whether the biscuit I’m buying suits my vegan preferences. Around 50% of consumers say this clarity is their priority. |
| Type and flavour | Choose between spiced speculoos and a digestive; the name of the biscuit doesn’t tell you whether it’s suitable for vegans. | When I’m having a biscuit with my coffee or using one in a recipe, I want to know whether I’m choosing speculoos or a digestive. Around 30% of consumers prioritise this choice. |
| Fibre and allergens | Compare fibre per 100 g and read both the allergen information and any ‘may contain’ warnings. | I want to compare nutritional information and check which allergens are relevant to me. For around 20% of consumers, this is the most important consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming the type of biscuit means it’s vegan
Speculaas can be made with milk or butter. You should also check the exact variant when it comes to digestives: an ingredients list with no directly animal-derived ingredients is not the same as an explicit vegan label.
Read the current ingredients list and check whether the packaging actually carries a vegan label or certification.
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Looking only at the fibre content
A difference in fibre per 100 g doesn’t tell you everything about a biscuit’s nutritional value.
Compare the other nutritional information on the same basis too, including sugars, saturated fat and salt.
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Confusing vegan with allergen-free
The speculoos and digestive variants reviewed contain cereals with gluten. McVitie’s Digestive Original also states that the product may contain milk.
If you have a relevant allergy, check the allergen information and warnings on the packaging; don’t treat a vegan label as a substitute.
Brands to consider
Lotus Biscoff
Speculoos for anyone looking for a spiced, caramelised biscuit with a vegan label for the specific product.
- Albert Heijn labels the Lotus Biscoff Original 250 g reviewed as suitable for vegans.
- The ingredients list includes wheat and soya. Biscoff says that other variants, including some with chocolate or ice cream, may contain dairy.
McVitie’s
A digestive for anyone deliberately looking for a different type of biscuit from speculoos.
- The Digestive Original reviewed contains 3,7 g of fibre per 100 g. Vegan Wiki found no directly animal-derived ingredients in the ingredients list shown.
- The product information says this digestive may also contain milk; check the packaging if that’s important to your choice.
BioToday
Spelt speculoos for anyone looking to compare a variant labelled both vegan and organic.
- Albert Heijn labels the variant reviewed as vegan and organic; the nutritional information lists 6 g of fibre per 100 g.
- The variant contains cereals with gluten and may contain nuts and sesame.
Albert Heijn
Product information for the Lotus Biscoff, McVitie’s and BioToday variants reviewed.
- The product pages show ingredients, allergens and nutritional information, so you can compare the variants.
- Albert Heijn warns that product information can change, so check the packaging.
Lidl
A retailer where you can check a specific speculaas variant by looking at the packaging.
- Lidl says that ingredients, allergens and nutritional values are listed on food packaging.
- Check the packaging of a specific variant if you want to assess whether it’s suitable for vegans.
ALDI
A retailer offering products such as Biscotto Bakkersspeculaas and filled speculaas.
- ALDI lists a 600 g pack of Biscotto Bakkersspeculaas.
- Check the ingredients of this and other variants individually. The mention of almonds and almond paste in the filled speculaas doesn’t, by itself, confirm that it’s suitable for vegans.
Speculoos at Joybuy
This product selection focuses on classic speculoos: a spiced biscuit for anyone specifically looking for speculoos and wanting to check the vegan label on the exact pack.
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Lotus Biscoff Speculoos 250 g
For anyone looking for classic speculoos who values a vegan label for the specific product.
Pack size: 250 g. For the Lotus Biscoff Original reviewed, Albert Heijn lists 1,3 g of fibre per 100 g and wheat and soya in the ingredients list. Check the vegan label and allergen information on the current packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Is all speculaas vegan?
No, the name speculaas doesn’t guarantee that. Jumbo describes a traditional recipe that includes ingredients such as milk and butter, so check the ingredients for the exact variant. Albert Heijn separately labels the Lotus Biscoff Original reviewed as suitable for vegans.
Is a biscuit suitable for vegans also suitable for someone with a cow’s milk allergy?
Not necessarily: vegan suitability doesn’t replace checking for allergens and possible traces. McVitie’s Digestive Original states that the product may also contain milk, which is a relevant warning if you have a cow’s milk allergy.
What nutritional information should I compare for digestives and speculoos?
Compare the values per 100 g and look beyond a single nutrient. For the McVitie’s Digestive Original reviewed, Albert Heijn lists 3,7 g of fibre per 100 g, compared with 1,3 g per 100 g for Lotus Biscoff Original. For a broader comparison, include the other nutritional information and ingredients too.
What does a Vegan certification mean?
According to the Dutch Association for Veganism, the Vegan certification indicates that a product meets The Vegan Society’s standards. Milieu Centraal points out that the logo does not set requirements for the environment, animal welfare, or people and working conditions, so don’t use it to judge those aspects.