Parents packing snacks for days out
If you don’t want to take an open pack on a holiday outing, look for an individually wrapped bar or a pack containing two biscuits. Check how many pieces are actually in each individual pack.
Who are these portions for?
Families planning a treat
A biscuit bar could be right for a planned treat, but the packaging doesn’t tell you its nutritional value. The Voedingscentrum recommends considering the nutrients and energy content of snacks for children too.
Shoppers checking ingredients and allergens
If you have an allergy or dietary requirement, the exact product variant matters. Check the current label for ingredients, allergens and any warnings; don’t assume a product is suitable based on the brand name alone.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want a single bar, a pack containing two biscuits or another small, individually wrapped portion. Then compare the portion size and the information on the label for the snack occasion you have in mind.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Portion for when you’re out and about | Count the pieces in each individual pack and check the weight per portion. | I don’t want to have to divide up a pack of biscuits while I’m out. For around 33% of consumers, a pre-portioned snack to take with them is the top priority. |
| How the snack fits in | Compare energy and sugars per portion and per 100 g; check the portion size too. | If a child is often given a snack, I want to be able to distinguish a treat from their usual snack. For around 25% of consumers, this is the first thing they consider. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the label for the exact product variant, including allergens and any warnings. | If I have an allergy, I need to be able to judge whether this particular pack is suitable. Around 25% of consumers put checking ingredients and allergens first. |
| Stock of individually wrapped portions | Compare the number of usable individual packs and the contents of each one. | For a holiday lasting several days, I want to know how many separate snack occasions a pack will cover. This is the main consideration for around 17% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a small pack makes a snack suitable for every day
An individual wrapper makes a biscuit bar easy to take with you, but it doesn’t change its nutritional value. The Voedingscentrum highlights the importance of the nutritional make-up of snacks for children.
Decide whether you’re looking for a treat, and compare the nutritional information for the portion that will actually be eaten.
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Relying only on a vegan or fibre claim
A claim like this doesn’t automatically answer questions about sugars or allergens. Jumbo describes Lotus Biscoff XL as vegan, while the product information also lists wheat and soya.
As well as checking the claim, read the ingredients, allergen information and nutritional details for the exact product variant.
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Assuming a pack of two biscuits contains just one
According to Jumbo, a pack of Lotus Biscoff XL contains two biscuits. The contents of other individual packs may also differ from the portion you had in mind.
Count the biscuits or bars in each individual pack before you choose.
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Relying on outdated product information
Brand information alone isn’t enough when making a decision based on an allergy or dietary requirement: ingredients and claims can vary between product variants and packs.
Before eating the product, check the label on the pack you’ve actually bought.
Brands to compare
Lotus Biscoff
Speculoos biscuits are also available in small individual packs. The XL variant described by Jumbo contains ten packs, each with two biscuits.
- A set number of two biscuits per pack makes the contents clear in advance.
- Jumbo lists wheat and soya for this variant; the vegan claim is no substitute for checking allergens.
Albert Heijn
The AH Kruidkoekreep is a soft, individually wrapped bar with a portion size of 65 g, according to Albert Heijn.
- The individual wrapper is handy for a snack occasion when you don’t want to divide anything up.
- The product information lists 40 g of sugars per 100 g and ingredients containing rye and wheat; compare the nutritional information and allergens on the pack.
LU
LU Time Out Choco Chip is a biscuit partly coated in milk chocolate. The pack described by Albert Heijn contains five individually wrapped biscuits weighing 28 g each.
- The individually wrapped biscuits make it easy to portion them out in advance.
- Wheat, milk and soya are among the allergens listed for this variant; check the pack for information on other allergens too.
Sondey
Lidl describes Sondey as a range that includes biscuits, wafers and bars.
- You can compare different types of products within the range.
- A brand-wide range description doesn’t tell you whether a particular variant is individually wrapped or suitable for a specific dietary requirement.
Biscotto
ALDI lists chocolate biscuits among its Biscotto products, some of which are wrapped in pairs.
- The duo pack described could be a good fit if two biscuits are the portion you want.
- Check the individual pack and ingredients for each variant; products across the range don’t all have the same ingredients.
Biscuit bars and biscuits at Joybuy
These products are suitable if you’re looking for a pre-packed snack to take with you. The Holie's product is a bar, while the LU and Daliyuan products are biscuits. For each product, check whether the contents of an individual pack match the portion you want to take with you.
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Holie's Chewy Bar Cookie Dough, 11 × 3 bars
For anyone looking to take an individually wrapped biscuit bar with them; check the weight per bar to assess the portion size.
The product information lists wheat, oats, spelt, hazelnut, almond and barley, and possible traces of rye, peanuts and milk. If you have allergies, read the current label.
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LU Scholiertje Milk Chocolate Biscuits, 150 g
For a snack occasion when a pack of two biscuits is just right: according to the product description, each individual pack contains two biscuits, not a single bar.
The product information lists milk, wheat and soya, and possible traces of nuts. If you have allergies, read the current label.
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Daliyuan Hao Chi Dian Finger Biscuits, 115 g
For anyone who wants to take small portions of biscuits rather than a bar; check how many biscuits and what weight are in each individual pack.
The product information lists wheat, egg and milk. If you have allergies, read the current label.
Frequently asked questions
Is a biscuit bar a suitable everyday snack for children?
A biscuit bar isn’t automatically a suitable everyday choice. The Voedingscentrum advises checking the nutritional make-up of snacks for children. So decide whether you’re looking for a treat, and compare the nutritional information per portion actually eaten.
Should I check the allergens again if I’ve bought the same brand before?
Yes, check the label on the exact pack again. The Nederlandse Voedsel- en Warenautoriteit states that allergens must be listed on the labels of pre-packed foods; a previous purchase or general brand description is no substitute for checking the specific product.
Does vegan mean a biscuit is suitable for someone with a wheat or soya allergy?
No, a vegan claim doesn’t mean that wheat or soya is absent. Jumbo describes Lotus Biscoff XL as vegan, but also lists wheat and soya for the same variant. If you have an allergy, always check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack.