If sugar-free is essential, do not treat a “Free From” custard cream as a substitute: the UK sugar-free claim rule published on legislation.gov.uk sets a limit of 0.5g sugars per 100g, while the Sainsbury’s, Asda and Schär free-from custard creams described here list 23g to 25g per 100g. Check the current sugar-free claim and nutrition panel, even if that means choosing a different biscuit style; if avoiding gluten or milk matters instead, check those separate claims and the ingredients.
If sugar-free is a firm requirement for your match-day snack, choose by the explicit claim and sugars figure, not by a “Free From” label. The custard creams compared here do not meet the UK sugar-free claim limit.
A free-from custard cream may preserve the biscuit style you want while addressing a particular ingredient requirement. Check the exact product’s claims and allergen information separately from its sugar content.
If you tend to snack throughout a match, compare the serving information with the amount you intend to eat. Diabetes UK notes that portion size affects total energy intake; the sugars figure alone does not describe the whole portion.
Decide whether sugar-free status, an ingredient requirement or the custard-cream format is the firm condition. Then compare the current label with the portion you plan to serve.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar-free status | Look for an explicit sugar-free claim and read sugars per 100g. The UK claim rule published on legislation.gov.uk permits the claim at no more than 0.5g sugars per 100g for a biscuit. | “Free From” is not enough if I need a sugar-free snack. If the custard-cream options do not meet that condition, I can consider another biscuit style. |
| Carbohydrate and portion | Compare total carbohydrate per 100g and per serving where shown, then check how many biscuits make up the portion. Diabetes UK distinguishes total carbohydrate from sugars when discussing blood glucose. | For a long match, I want to know what is in the amount I will actually eat, rather than judging the whole packet by a sugar-free claim. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the exact product’s ingredients, allergen statement and any gluten-free or milk-free claim. These claims address different requirements from sugar-free status. | I still want a custard-cream-style biscuit, but I need to check whether its ingredients fit my gluten or milk avoidance requirement. |
| Current pack details | Check the pack’s nutrition panel, ingredients and allergen statement at purchase. Tesco notes that recipes and product information can change. | An earlier online listing may not describe the packet I am about to serve, particularly when an ingredient or sugar limit matters. |
Sainsbury’s Free From Custard Creams list 24.9g sugars per 100g, Asda Free From lists 25g, and the Schär custard creams listed by Asda contain 23g. Those figures are above the UK sugar-free claim limit of 0.5g per 100g published on legislation.gov.uk.
Check the sugars figure and sugar-free claim directly. Treat gluten-free, milk-free and vegan descriptions as separate information.
A sugar-free claim does not tell you the total carbohydrate in the biscuits you intend to eat. Diabetes UK says the total amount of carbohydrate consumed is particularly relevant to blood glucose after eating.
Read total carbohydrate as well as sugars, using the serving size and your planned portion when comparing products.
Repeated helpings can make it harder to keep track of the amount eaten during a match. Diabetes UK notes that eating more snacks than intended can increase energy intake.
Put the amount you intend to serve on a plate or in a bowl before kick-off, rather than leaving the open packet beside you.
Ingredients, allergens and nutrition information can change when a product is reformulated, as Tesco cautions on its product listings.
Check the current physical pack, particularly when a sugar limit or an allergen requirement determines your choice.
These ranges illustrate why the biscuit style, free-from claims and sugars figure need separate checks. A brand’s inclusion here does not mean every product in its range has the same ingredients or nutrition.
Tesco lists both conventional Custard Cream Biscuits and Free From Custard Creams.
Sainsbury’s lists standard and Free From custard creams, allowing a comparison within the same biscuit style.
Asda’s Free From Custard Creams are an option to examine when gluten or milk avoidance matters.
Schär custard creams are listed in five 25g portion packs.
Gullón’s Zero range is relevant if you are willing to switch biscuit styles to seek a sugar-free option.
These are differently styled biscuits for someone willing to move away from custard creams while shopping for a sugar-free match-day snack. Check each current pack’s claim, sugars figure, ingredients and serving information before choosing.
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A sandwich cookie rather than a custard cream, for a match-day snack when you are willing to change biscuit style. Check the current nutrition panel and ingredients, particularly if wheat or soy matters to you.
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A digestive biscuit rather than a custard cream, suited to considering when the biscuit style is flexible. Read the current sugars figure, serving information and allergen statement before serving it.
No. “Free From” can describe an ingredient-related claim rather than sugar content. Sainsbury’s lists 24.9g sugars per 100g for its Free From Custard Creams, Asda lists 25g, and Asda’s Schär listing gives 23g. The UK sugar-free claim rule published on legislation.gov.uk sets a limit of 0.5g sugars per 100g.
No. The Sainsbury’s, Asda and Schär custard creams with sugars figures cited here list 23g to 26.5g per 100g, above the UK sugar-free claim limit of 0.5g per 100g published on legislation.gov.uk. That conclusion concerns these products, not every custard cream; check the current label of any other product you consider.
No. Diabetes UK says the total carbohydrate consumed matters to blood glucose after eating. Check total carbohydrate and the amount you plan to eat; follow advice from your diabetes care team for individual decisions.
Decide what to serve before the match and put that amount on a plate or in a bowl. Diabetes UK notes that eating more snacks than intended can increase energy intake, so the serving you actually eat matters alongside the figures on the label.
Use the current pack as your final check. Tesco warns that reformulation can change ingredients, allergens and nutrition information, which matters when you are choosing to meet a sugar limit or avoid a particular ingredient.