Who is sharing?

The number of people eating the biscuits, the occasion and any food allergies can all change which pack is practical.

Families planning a holiday treat

Compare the pack size with the number sharing and consider whether you will have a way to store biscuits left after the occasion.

Parents choosing between biscuits and everyday snacks

Check the label’s per-biscuit figures when deciding how many to serve. For a routine children’s snack, NHS Healthier Families recommends fruit and vegetables instead of biscuits.

Households checking allergens

Read the exact pack before sharing. The examined Tesco and Asda custard creams list wheat and milk, while the M&S Extra Cream variant also lists soya; precautionary statements differ between products.

What should you check?

Start with the amount you expect to serve, then compare the labels of the particular packs you are considering.

Priority What to check Your needs
Pack size Compare the stated weight with any biscuit count. Asda suggests approximately 34 servings for its 400g pack; Bestway Wholesale’s McVitie’s product information gives approximately 26 biscuits for the 300g pack. Counts depend on the product. How many people will share, and am I likely to use the rest after this occasion?
Sugars per biscuit Check the label’s per-biscuit figure and decide how many biscuits to serve. Tesco and Asda each list 3.4g sugars per biscuit for their examined 400g packs. I want to decide on a serving, rather than treat the whole sharing pack as one portion.
Different variants Compare sugars on the same per-100g basis when biscuit sizes differ. Ocado’s M&S information lists 40.2g sugars per 100g for Extra Cream; its filling description alone does not establish a nutritional advantage. If I choose Extra Cream, I want to compare its actual label with the standard biscuits I’m considering.
Allergens Read the current ingredients and precautionary statements for each exact product. The examined Tesco pack says it may contain sesame; Asda also lists possible rye, barley and oats, while M&S Extra Cream lists soya as an ingredient. Everyone sharing needs an ingredient and allergen check against the pack I buy.
Leftovers Check storage instructions before opening a larger pack. The examined Tesco and Asda packs specify a cool, dry place and an airtight container after opening. If biscuits remain, I need a practical way to store them until the next occasion.
Type of snack Decide whether this is a planned biscuit treat or a routine children’s snack. NHS Healthier Families suggests fruit and vegetables in place of biscuits for everyday snacks. For an ordinary snack rather than a biscuit-sharing occasion, I may choose fruit or vegetables.

Common buying mistakes

  • Choosing the largest pack without planning for leftovers

    A 400g pack may leave biscuits open beyond the sharing occasion. The examined Tesco and Asda packs call for airtight storage after opening.

    Estimate how many biscuits the group will use, then choose a pack size you can store if some remain.

  • Using ‘Extra Cream’ as a nutrition shortcut

    A filling description does not tell you how its nutrition compares with a standard custard cream. Ocado’s M&S information lists 40.2g sugars per 100g for its Extra Cream variant.

    Compare the exact products’ labels on a per-100g basis, then decide separately how many biscuits to serve.

  • Assuming the allergen statement is the same across packs

    The examined packs differ in their precautionary statements, and M&S Extra Cream lists soya alongside wheat and milk.

    Check the physical pack’s ingredients and precautionary statements for everyone who will be sharing.

Brand and pack references

These named packs illustrate the sizes and label details worth comparing; a brand name alone does not determine which one suits your occasion.

Tesco

Tesco lists a 400g standard custard creams pack.

  • Its listing gives per-biscuit nutrition and says to use an airtight container after opening.
  • The listed product contains wheat and milk and may contain sesame; check the current pack before sharing.

Asda

Asda lists a 400g standard pack with approximately 34 servings.

  • Its listing gives per-biscuit nutrition and an allergen statement.
  • The product lists wheat and milk, with precautionary statements for rye, barley, oats and sesame.

McVitie's

Bestway Wholesale reproduces product information for a 300g McVitie's custard creams pack.

  • The product information gives a typical count of approximately 26 biscuits.
  • It lists wheat and milk and says the product may contain sesame.

Crawford's

Tesco lists Crawford's custard creams in a 300g pack.

  • The listing gives a typical count of 26 biscuits for planning a sharing occasion.
  • Check the exact pack’s current ingredients and allergen information before serving.

M&S

Ocado carries M&S product information for a distinct 165g Extra Cream variant.

  • The product information specifies 12 biscuits, making the count clear when planning an occasion.
  • The listed ingredients include wheat, milk and soya; the label gives 40.2g sugars per 100g.

Sainsbury's

Sainsbury's lists a 200g standard custard creams pack.

  • Its listing gives approximately 16 servings and per-biscuit nutrition.
  • Compare that serving count with the number sharing rather than relying on pack weight alone.

A smaller Joybuy option

The Joybuy product below is a 125g gluten-free custard creams pack to consider for a smaller occasion; check whether that amount is enough for your group.

Schar Gluten Free Custard Creams 125g pack

Schar Gluten Free Custard Creams 125g

The 125g pack is a smaller option for a planned biscuit-sharing occasion. Check that the quantity suits your group and read the current pack’s ingredients and allergen information before serving.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

How should I store an opened sharing pack?

Follow the pack’s instructions. The examined Tesco and Asda products specify a cool, dry place and an airtight container once opened.

Does ‘Extra Cream’ tell me how its nutrition compares?

No. It describes a product variant, not a nutritional advantage. Ocado’s M&S product information lists 40.2g sugars per 100g for Extra Cream; compare the per-100g labels of the exact biscuits you are considering.

Can I rely on an old ingredient listing when someone has an allergy?

Check the current physical pack instead. Ingredients and precautionary allergen statements can differ between custard creams and may change, so read them for the exact product before sharing.

Do school-food standards govern biscuits eaten at home during the holidays?

The Department for Education’s English school-food requirements concern food provided to pupils on school premises, not a household snack at home. Rules for a particular school or holiday programme need to be considered in that setting; for everyday children’s snacks, NHS Healthier Families recommends fruit and vegetables instead of biscuits.