Lunchbox packers
Want to take a biscuit to school, work or on the go without needing an extra container? Check how many individual packs are in the multipack and what each one contains.
Which format works best for you?
Sharing and stock-up shoppers
If you’re buying one pack for several people or lunch breaks, compare the total number of biscuits with how they’re packaged. For example, twenty biscuits packed in pairs offer a different option from twenty individually wrapped biscuits.
Label-conscious snack shoppers
If ingredients, allergens or nutritional values are your top priorities, choose based on the label for the exact product variant. A familiar brand name or a pack you’ve bought before is no substitute for checking.
What should you look for?
First decide whether you want ready-to-go portions or would rather portion them out at home. Then check how much is in each pack and read the label for the product you’re considering.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Individual portions | Count the packs and check how many biscuits or how many grams are in each one. | I want to put a pack in my lunchbox without portioning out biscuits at home. For around 33% of consumers, this ready-to-go format comes first. |
| Number of eating occasions | Compare the total contents with the number of portions that can be used separately. | If I’m packing for several lunch breaks or people, I want to know how many portions the pack provides. For around 27% of consumers, the number of usable portions is the main consideration. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack of the exact variant. | Convenient packaging is no use to me if the contents don’t meet my dietary requirements. That’s why around 27% of consumers prioritise checking the label. |
| Portion size and nutritional value | Compare the nutritional value per 100 g, and also check how many grams you’re taking with you. | I want to be able to compare two multipacks even when the manufacturer uses different portion sizes. For around 13% of consumers, this comparison is the top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Confusing vegan with allergen-free
A label indicating that a product is suitable for a plant-based diet doesn’t mean a biscuit is free from ingredients such as wheat or soya. The Lotus Biscoff XL variant reviewed is labelled vegan, but the product information lists wheat and soya.
If you have an allergy, check the full ingredients and allergen information on the current pack. Don’t use a vegan label as a substitute for doing so.
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Comparing only the number of biscuits
A pack of twenty biscuits might contain ten packs of two. The amount in a stated portion can also vary between products.
Count the individual packs, check what each one contains, and use nutritional values per 100 g as a common basis for comparison. The Consumentenbond recommends this approach when comparing products with different portion sizes.
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Relying on a label you checked before
Ingredients and nutritional information can change when a product is updated. This is particularly important if you choose a specific variant because of an ingredient or allergen.
Read the label on the pack you’re actually using, even if you’ve bought the product before.
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Assuming a named supermarket product will be available
A product listing doesn’t mean every branch has the same multipack in stock at that moment. ALDI directs shoppers to their local store for the biscuit products mentioned.
Check availability at your local branch if you’re counting on a specific format for lunch.
Brands to compare
The formats listed apply to specific products or product ranges, not every biscuit from the same brand.
Lotus Biscoff
The Lotus Biscoff XL 2P x 10 speculoos variant listed by Jumbo contains ten packs, each with two biscuits.
- The format makes it clear in advance how many two-biscuit portions you’ll be taking with you.
- If you have specific dietary requirements, check the ingredients and allergens on the exact pack.
Oreo
Jumbo lists Oreo Original as a variant with 10 x 2 biscuits and a total weight of 220 g.
- This format is a familiar choice if you’re looking for portions of two biscuits.
- Check the nutritional information and allergens for this variant on the pack; other Oreo packs won’t necessarily have the same format.
Smoeltjes
Albert Heijn lists Smoeltjes Speculaasjes as a 200 g pack containing eight sharing bags.
- The eight bags can be divided between lunchboxes.
- Check the current label for ingredients and allergens that may be relevant to the person eating them.
Biscotto
ALDI lists a Biscotto variant with twenty chocolate biscuits, packed in pairs.
- The pack is arranged for anyone who wants to portion out biscuits in pairs.
- Check availability at your local store if you want to buy this specific variant.
Sondey
Lidl describes the Sondey range as including items such as cookies and biscuits.
- You can compare different types of biscuits within the range.
- Check each product to see whether it’s actually a biscuit multipack and how many individual portions it contains.
Biscuit products at Joybuy
These products come in a range of pack sizes for lunch on the go. Compare the stated contents with the number of portions you want to take with you; a description such as 10 x 66 g doesn’t, by itself, tell you how the biscuits are packaged inside.
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Hellema Smoeltjes Speculaas, 8 pieces, 200 g
If you want to divide packs between lunchboxes, Albert Heijn lists Smoeltjes Speculaasjes as containing eight sharing bags in a 200 g pack.
Check how much is in each bag and the allergens on the current packaging if these are important to your choice.
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Ulker Halley Mini Biscuit, 3 x 77 g
The stated contents are 3 x 77 g, which may be useful if you’re looking for several packs for different lunch breaks.
Check the pack to see how many individual portions you can take with you, and read the label if ingredients or allergens matter to you.
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LU Scholiertje Milk Chocolate Biscuits, 150 g
If you’re looking for biscuits for separate lunch breaks, check how many portion packs are in this 150 g pack.
Also check the contents of each portion and the current label before comparing this variant with another multipack.
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Oreo Raspberry & Blueberry Flavor Sandwich Cookies, 97 g, two packs
The pack contains two separate packs with a total weight of 97 g, giving you two packs to take separately.
Check how many biscuits and how many grams are in each pack if you want to plan a set lunch portion.
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Oreo Original, 10 x 66 g
The 10 x 66 g format may suit you if you’re stocking up for several lunch breaks, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that each unit is ready to take with you as a portion.
Check the inner packaging before choosing this format for individual lunchboxes.
Frequently asked questions
Are individual packs more convenient than a large pack for a lunchbox?
Individual packs are more convenient if you want to take one portion without portioning it out at home; with a large pack, you’ll need to make up that portion yourself. Do check what’s in each pack: two biscuits and a pack of a particular weight aren’t the same basis for comparison.
How do I compare the nutritional value of two biscuit multipacks?
Compare the nutritional values per 100 g, then check how many grams you’ll actually be taking with you. The Consumentenbond recommends comparing per 100 g because stated portion sizes can vary between products.
Does vegan also mean a biscuit is free from allergens?
No, vegan doesn’t automatically mean allergen-free. The Lotus Biscoff XL variant reviewed is labelled vegan, but the product information lists wheat and soya. If you have an allergy, always read the current label on the exact pack.
What information should I check on the pack?
Check the ingredients, allergens, nutritional information, best-before date and storage advice that are relevant to your choice. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority covers the labelling of pre-packed foods; use the physical label to check the information on the pack you’re buying.