Hosts who need a sugar-free biscuit
For a Bonfire Night table, check for an explicit sugar-free claim and read the sugars figure per 100g. A Free From label or a smaller per-biscuit figure does not answer the same question.
Who is choosing the biscuits?
Shoppers checking stated exclusions
A Free From Bourbon may address a particular milk or gluten exclusion. Check the exact product label for the guest concerned, and assess its sugars separately.
People comparing sugars and carbohydrate
If total carbohydrate matters to the choice, read it alongside sugars and the serving size. Diabetes UK notes that polyols contain carbohydrate and calories, and that their absorption varies.
What should you check?
Decide whether the requirement is a sugar-free claim or a particular Free From exclusion, then compare packs on that basis.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar-free claim | Look for the claim on the pack and compare sugars per 100g. Legislation.gov.uk lists a threshold of no more than 0.5g per 100g for a sugar-free claim. | I need a biscuit explicitly labelled sugar-free, even if that means choosing something other than a Bourbon cream. |
| Free From claims | Read the specific exclusions and ingredients on the current pack; assess sugars separately. Asda lists 18g sugars per 100g for its Free From Bourbon, and Tesco lists 21.9g per 100g for its version. | A guest needs a particular stated exclusion, but I do not want to mistake that label for a sugar-free claim. |
| Carbohydrate and sweeteners | Compare total carbohydrate, serving size and sweetener ingredients. Diabetes UK notes that polyols contain carbohydrate and calories, with variable absorption. | If carbohydrate intake matters, the word sugar-free alone does not give me all the information I need. |
| Servings for guests | Read both per-biscuit and per-100g sugars figures, and check the number of biscuits you plan to serve. Sainsbury's lists 3.4g sugars per biscuit and 25.8g per 100g for its Bourbon. | I want to set out biscuits with clear labels so guests can identify which option meets their requirements. |
Common label mistakes
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Reading Free From as sugar-free
Free From describes the particular exclusions stated for a product. The Asda and Tesco Free From Bourbon listings give sugars figures of 18g and 21.9g per 100g respectively.
Buy for the exclusion you need, but check the separate sugars declaration and sugar-free claim if sugar content is the deciding factor.
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Judging a sugar-free claim by one biscuit
Sainsbury's lists 3.4g sugars per Bourbon biscuit and 25.8g per 100g. Those figures answer different questions about a serving and the product as a whole.
Use the per-100g declaration when checking a sugar-free claim, and the per-biscuit figure when deciding how much to put out.
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Assuming sugar-free means carbohydrate-free
Diabetes UK notes that polyols still contain carbohydrate and calories, and their absorption varies. A sugars claim does not describe the whole carbohydrate content.
Read total carbohydrate, serving size and ingredients as well as sugars; seek individual advice from a healthcare team where carbohydrate counting affects a personal diabetes plan.
Bourbon products from familiar retailers
These retailer listings illustrate why a Bourbon or Free From label should not be taken as a sugar-free claim; check the current pack when buying.
Tesco
Tesco lists a vegan Free From Bourbon Creams biscuit.
- The listing identifies the product as vegan.
- It lists 21.9g sugars per 100g, so it does not meet the sugar-free claim threshold listed by legislation.gov.uk.
Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's lists a 200g Bourbon biscuit pack.
- Its listing gives sugars figures both per biscuit and per 100g.
- Those figures are 3.4g per biscuit and 25.8g per 100g; this is not a sugar-free option.
Asda
Asda lists a Free From Bourbon biscuit with stated milk and gluten exclusions.
- The listing identifies the product as free from milk and gluten.
- It lists 18g sugars per 100g and 2.6g per biscuit, so Free From does not mean sugar-free here.
Waitrose
Waitrose lists Essential Bourbon Creams biscuits.
- The listing gives both per-biscuit and per-100g sugars figures.
- At 3.9g per biscuit and 27.8g per 100g, this is not a sugar-free option.
M&S
M&S lists Extra Cream Bourbon Creams.
- The product is identified as an Extra Cream Bourbon variant.
- The listing gives 36.7g sugars per 100g, so it does not meet the sugar-free claim threshold listed by legislation.gov.uk.
A Joybuy biscuit option
This chocolate sandwich biscuit is an alternative to the Bourbon format for a Bonfire Night table where a sugar-free label is the priority. Check the current pack before serving it to guests.
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Oreo Zero Sugar Sandwich Cookies 97g
A chocolate sandwich biscuit rather than a Bourbon cream, for a table where a Zero Sugar-labelled option is wanted. The pack is 97g; check its current sugars-per-100g declaration, total carbohydrate, ingredients and allergens before serving.
Questions about sugar-free biscuits
Does Free From Bourbon Creams mean sugar-free?
No. Free From refers to the exclusions stated for that product. Asda's Free From Bourbon listing gives 18g sugars per 100g, while Tesco's gives 21.9g per 100g; check the current pack for both its exclusions and sugars.
What sugars figure should I check for a sugar-free claim?
Check sugars per 100g rather than relying on a per-biscuit figure. Legislation.gov.uk lists no more than 0.5g per 100g or 100ml as the threshold for a sugar-free claim; read the claim and nutrition declaration on the current pack.
Does sugar-free also mean carbohydrate-free?
No. Diabetes UK notes that polyols contain carbohydrate and calories, and their absorption varies. Check total carbohydrate, ingredients and serving size if those details matter to your choice.
What can I serve if a guest needs a sugar-free biscuit?
Set out a separately labelled sugar-free biscuit rather than describing an ordinary or Free From Bourbon as sugar-free. Keep the packs available so guests can check the sugars declaration, ingredients and any exclusions relevant to them.