Parents who prepare lunchboxes in advance
Individual bags containing two or three biscuits don’t need to be portioned out from a large pack first. Still, check that the portion, label and school rules are suitable for your child.
For a lunchbox, a multipack with individually sealed portions is handy if the number of biscuits in each portion suits what you want to pack. A larger pack is better for sharing at home; before handing biscuits out at school, check the class rules. In either case, check the current label and school policy, especially for allergens.
Individual bags containing two or three biscuits don’t need to be portioned out from a large pack first. Still, check that the portion, label and school rules are suitable for your child.
If your child has a food allergy or there are class rules to follow, checking the current label and school policy comes before the convenience of a multipack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains which allergens must be listed on the label; the Dutch Food Allergy Foundation highlights the importance of coordinating with the school.
If you only want to pack biscuits occasionally, compare the portion size and nutritional information with the rest of the lunchbox. Compare fibre, sugars and saturated fat per portion, without treating any one nutritional value as a verdict on the whole product.
Start with allergens and school rules. Then compare the individual portions, nutritional information and how much you want to share at home or at school.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens and school rules | Read the allergen information on the current pack and check what rules apply in the class. | If a child has an allergy or biscuits are shared in class, I want to know first whether the product meets the rules in place. Around 31% of consumers put this check first. |
| Individual portions | Compare the number of sealed bags and the number of biscuits in each bag. | When preparing several lunchboxes, I want to be able to grab a portion without opening a large pack each time. Around 31% of consumers prioritise this convenience. |
| Nutritional information | Check the portion size and compare fibre, sugars and saturated fat on the same basis. | When I pack a biscuit, I want to know how that portion fits in with the rest of the lunch. For around 23% of consumers, this is the main consideration. |
| Amount for sharing | Check the total number of biscuits and whether they are individually wrapped inside the larger pack. | If several family members will be eating them or there’s an approved sharing occasion at school, I want enough biscuits without too many individual portions. Around 15% of consumers give this the highest priority. |
The Lotus Biscoff and LiGA products mentioned contain gluten-containing cereals, and their other allergens vary. Schools may also have rules about snacks and treats.
Check the current label and ask what rules apply to your child and their class before buying.
The total number of biscuits doesn’t tell you whether they’re individually wrapped. For example, ALDI lists internal twin packs for Biscotto chocolate biscuits, but a large pack of jode or coffee biscuits isn’t the same thing.
If you want to prepare biscuits for school days, compare the number of sealed portions and the contents of each one.
Portioning them yourself takes time and may mean you need extra storage containers.
A stated fibre value doesn’t tell you about all the other nutritional values or how a biscuit fits into a lunchbox.
Check the sugars and saturated fat too, consider the portion size and think about what else you’re packing.
Jumbo lists Lotus Biscoff XL speculoos biscuits in packs of ten bags containing two biscuits each, as well as a chocolate variety in six bags of three.
LiGA Evergreen Currants is a cereal biscuit that Jumbo sells in a pack of six twin portions.
ALDI lists larger packs under the Biscotto brand, including chocolate biscuits in internal twin packs and a pack of jode or coffee biscuits.
These products come in different pack sizes for anyone considering biscuits or cookies for school days. Compare the portion and label for each product; ten packs aren’t necessarily the same as ten individual lunchbox portions.
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A cereal biscuit to compare if you’re looking for a measured portion for a lunchbox. Jumbo lists LiGA Evergreen Currants as six portions of two biscuits. The product contains wheat, oats and soya, and may contain egg and milk; check the current label and school rules.
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For anyone looking for two separate packs instead of a large pack to portion out themselves. If portion size matters, check how many biscuits are in each pack. The product contains wheat and soya; also read the current label and check the school rules.
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An option to consider if you want to pack biscuits with milk chocolate. If you’re buying for several school days, check how many individual portions there are. The product contains milk, wheat and soya; nuts may also be present. Read the current label and check the school rules.
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The pack contains ten 66 g packs for several snack occasions. Before using them as lunchbox portions, check that each pack is individually sealed and how the biscuits are divided inside. The product contains wheat and soya; it may contain milk.
It depends on the school rules and, if the biscuits are being shared, the class rules too. Before buying a multipack for school, check what applies to snacks, treats and allergies.
No, the XL and chocolate packs listed by Jumbo contain wheat. If gluten-free is essential, check the description and allergen information on the current pack of any product you’re considering.
No, fibre is only one part of the nutritional information. Check the portion size, sugars and saturated fat too, and consider what else is in the lunchbox. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends options such as fruit, vegetables and wholegrain products for school.
Keep individual portion bags sealed until you’re ready to use them. Follow the storage instructions on the pack for any remaining biscuits and check the best-before date.