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Lotus Biscoff
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Shortbread cookies

Lotus Biscoff

8.8 oz

Bad out of 100 Medium confidence
  • High in sugar
  • High in saturated fat
  • Contains added sugars
  • Contains seed oils
  • Contains palm oil
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Why it scores 18

Lotus Biscoff scores 18 out of 100 (Bad) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Sugar: An added sugar. Strong
  2. Brown sugar: An added sugar. Strong
  3. Sugars 38.7 g / 100 g: Very high in sugar. Strong

Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.

The Receipt

Biscoff

START100

Ingredients

  • Sugar
    Strong An added sugar. [1][2][3]
  • Brown sugar
    Strong An added sugar. [1][2][3]
  • Vegetable oil (unspecified)
    Emerging High in omega-6 linoleic acid. [4][5][6][7]
  • Soybean oil
    Emerging High in omega-6 linoleic acid. [4][5][6][7]
  • Sunflower oil
    Emerging High in omega-6 linoleic acid. [4][5][6][7]
  • Canola oil
    Emerging High in omega-6 linoleic acid. [4][5][6][7]
  • Palm oil
    Strong About half saturated fat; WHO recommends keeping saturated fat to 10% of energy or less. [8][9][10]
subtotal−47.5

Processing

  • Processed (NOVA 3)
    Emerging Classified NOVA 3: processed with added salt, sugar or oil. [11]
subtotal−8

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Sugars 38.7 g / 100 g
    Strong Very high in sugar. [1]
  • Saturated fat 8.1 g / 100 g
    Strong Very high in saturated fat. [8]
  • Salt 0.9 g / 100 g
    Strong High in salt. [12]
  • Energy 484 kcal / 100 g
    Info Energy-dense for its weight. [2]
subtotal−27
TOTAL 18Bad

100 − 82.5 = 17.5 → 18

Can’t score above 79. Contains sugar, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]

Can’t score above 79. High in fat, saturated fat and sugars (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [13]

GTIN 00021788916291 · 2026-06-26

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

Medium confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy484 kcal
Fat19.4 g
Saturated fat8.1 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates74.2 g
Sugars38.7 g
Added sugars35.5 g
Fiber0 g
Protein6.4 g
Salt0.9 g

Serving: 4 COOKIES (31 g)

Ingredients

High Moderate Not recognized Tap an ingredient for its evidence and rules.
Label text, as published

wheat flour, sugar, vegetable oils (contains one or more of soybean oil, sunflower oil, canola oil, palm oil), brown sugar syrup, sodium bicarbonate (leavening), soy flour, salt, cinnamon,

Allergens and diets

Contains: Soy, Wheat, Gluten

  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian
  • Not gluten-free
  • Not palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest shortbread cookies in the US

More from Lotus

Sources

  1. Guideline: sugars intake for adults and children

    World Health Organization · Mar 4, 2015 · Agency assessment

    “In both adults and children, WHO recommends reducing the intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake”

    who.int

  2. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030

    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture · January 2026 · Regulator

    “Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”

    cdn.realfood.gov

  3. Added and free sugars should be as low as possible

    European Food Safety Authority · Feb 28, 2022 · Agency assessment

    “Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”

    efsa.europa.eu

  4. Re-evaluation of the traditional diet-heart hypothesis: analysis of recovered data from Minnesota Coronary Experiment (1968-73)

    BMJ · Apr 12, 2016 · Peer-reviewed

    “replacement of saturated fat in the diet with linoleic acid effectively lowers serum cholesterol but does not support the hypothesis that this translates to a lower risk of death from coronary heart disease or all causes.”

    doi.org

  5. Use of dietary linoleic acid for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease and death: evaluation of recovered data from the Sydney Diet Heart Study and updated meta-analysis

    BMJ · Feb 4, 2013 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  6. Dietary Linoleic Acid and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies

    Circulation · Oct 28, 2014 · Peer-reviewed

    “These data provide support for current recommendations to replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat for primary prevention of CHD.”

    doi.org

  7. Dietary Fats and Cardiovascular Disease: A Presidential Advisory From the American Heart Association

    Circulation · Jul 18, 2017 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  8. Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline

    World Health Organization · Jul 17, 2023 · Agency assessment

    “WHO recommends that adults and children reduce saturated fatty acid intake to 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation).”

    who.int

  9. Process contaminants in vegetable oils and foods

    European Food Safety Authority · May 3, 2016 · Agency assessment

    “The highest levels of GE, as well as 3-MCPD and 2-MCPD (including esters) were found in palm oils and palm fats, followed by other oils and fats.”

    efsa.europa.eu

  10. Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915 of 25 April 2023 on maximum levels for certain contaminants in food

    European Union (Official Journal) · Apr 25, 2023 · Law

    “Glycidyl fatty acid esters, expressed as glycidol”

    eur-lex.europa.eu

  11. Ultra-processed foods: what they are and how to identify them

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  12. Sodium reduction (fact sheet)

    World Health Organization · May 11, 2026 · Agency assessment

    “For adults, WHO recommends less than 2000 mg/day of sodium (equivalent to less than 5 g/day salt), or just under a teaspoon.”

    who.int

  13. Guide to creating a front of pack (FoP) nutrition label for pre-packed products sold through retail outlets

    Department of Health and Social Care / Food Standards Agency (GOV.UK) · Nov 8, 2016 · Regulator

    “Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”

    assets.publishing.service.gov.uk