Picnic hosts comparing sugar labels
If you are sharing custard creams outdoors, compare declared sugars without mistaking a smaller serving or a lower figure for a reduced-sugar claim.
Who is this for?
Guests choosing free-from biscuits
If gluten, wheat or lactose must be avoided, check those declarations separately from the sugar figure. A free-from label does not establish a reduced-sugar claim.
Families serving individual portions
Per-biscuit nutrition, the current allergen statement and a cool, dry place to keep the pack all matter when several people are sharing.
What to check before buying
Start with the claim on the pack, then compare sugars on the same per-100g basis. Check portions and allergens for the people who will eat the biscuits.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Reduced-sugar claim | Look for an explicit reduced-sugar claim and its comparison basis on the current product information. Compare declared total sugars per 100g separately. | If I specifically need a product marketed as reduced sugar, a lower figure than another custard cream is not enough to make that choice. |
| Portion | Read sugars per biscuit or serving as well as per 100g, and check how many biscuits make up the portion. | When I put out biscuits for several people, I want to know the amount in the portion I am serving, not just the figure for 100g. |
| Allergens | Read the exact pack’s ingredients and allergen statement, including any may-contain warnings. Check free-from claims against each guest’s requirements. | For a guest avoiding wheat, milk or another ingredient, I need to check that particular biscuit rather than assume custard creams are interchangeable. |
| Picnic storage | Follow the pack’s storage directions and keep biscuits cool and dry. Protect an opened pack from sun and damp conditions. | I need to carry and serve the biscuits without leaving the pack open on a hot or damp picnic table. |
Picnic buying pitfalls
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Calling an ordinary custard cream reduced sugar
A smaller serving or a lower total-sugars figure than another biscuit does not establish a reduced-sugar claim.
If that claim is essential, check that the exact product makes it and states a comparison basis before buying.
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Comparing different biscuit sizes as though they were equal
Per-biscuit figures depend on the biscuit’s weight, so they answer a different question from sugars per 100g.
Use per 100g to compare products, then use the per-biscuit or serving figure to plan what you will put out.
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Assuming vegetarian and free-from labels cover every guest
Conventional products can contain wheat and milk, while other allergen warnings vary by product. Schär UK describes its Custard Creams as gluten-, wheat- and lactose-free, but that does not answer every allergen question.
Check the current packet for each guest’s specific requirements before serving.
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Leaving an opened pack in the sun or damp
Tesco Groceries and Marks & Spencer specify cool, dry storage for their custard creams; a picnic table may not provide those conditions.
Keep the pack shaded and dry, and close or cover it between servings.
Relevant brand and retailer options
Schär
A free-from custard cream to consider when gluten, wheat or lactose is a concern.
- Schär UK describes its Custard Creams as gluten-, wheat- and lactose-free and vegan, and lists 23g total sugars per 100g.
- That total-sugars figure does not, by itself, establish a reduced-sugar claim. Check the serving information on the pack.
Sainsbury's
A conventional custard cream in a 200g pack for sharing.
- Sainsbury's lists 26.5g sugars per 100g and 3.3g per biscuit.
- It contains wheat and milk; Sainsbury's also says it is unsuitable for customers with a barley allergy because of manufacturing methods.
Tesco
A conventional custard cream sold in a 400g pack.
- Tesco Groceries lists 28.3g sugars per 100g and 3.4g per biscuit, giving both comparison and portion figures.
- Its ingredients include wheat and milk; Tesco advises cool, dry storage.
McVitie's
Tasties Custard Creams are a conventional biscuit with a custard-flavoured filling.
- The Joybuy listing for the 300g product states 30.6g sugars per 100g.
- The listing identifies wheat and milk allergens; Morrisons also lists a possible sesame presence for this product.
M&S
Extra Cream Custard Creams are described by Marks & Spencer as having extra vanilla cream and real custard powder.
- The product description helps distinguish this extra-cream style from a standard custard cream.
- Marks & Spencer lists 40.2g sugars per 100g; check that figure against your reason for comparing sugar labels.
Custard creams on Joybuy
This free-from custard cream is an option for comparing declared total sugars and checking gluten, wheat and lactose requirements. Its listing does not establish a reduced-sugar claim.
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Schär Gluten Free Custard Creams 125g
For a picnic guest seeking a gluten-free custard cream, check this pack against their other dietary requirements. Schär UK describes its Custard Creams as gluten-, wheat- and lactose-free and lists 23g total sugars per 100g. That figure is not a reduced-sugar claim; check the current pack’s nutrition and serving information.
Common questions
Does a lower sugar figure make a custard cream reduced sugar?
No. A lower declared total-sugars figure than another biscuit does not establish a reduced-sugar claim. If that claim matters to your purchase, check the exact product’s claim and comparison basis, then read its current per-100g nutrition label.
Which of these custard creams declares the least sugar per 100g?
Among the products compared here, Schär UK lists the lowest declared figure, at 23g total sugars per 100g. Sainsbury's lists 26.5g per 100g for its conventional Custard Creams. This comparison does not establish that either product makes a reduced-sugar claim.
How should I take custard creams to a summer picnic?
Keep them cool and dry, following the directions on the pack. Tesco Groceries and Marks & Spencer specify cool, dry storage for their products; close or cover an opened pack and keep it out of direct sun and damp conditions.
Are regular custard creams suitable for guests avoiding gluten or milk?
Do not assume so: the Tesco, Sainsbury's and McVitie's product information identifies wheat and milk ingredients. Schär UK describes its Custard Creams as gluten-, wheat- and lactose-free, but check the current packet against each guest’s specific requirements.