Just for you on the go
You want to take a portion with you after shopping without opening a large pack. A fruit biscuit in a portion pack or a twin pack could work, provided the number of biscuits in the portion matches how many you want to eat.
Who is this choice for?
If you compare labels
As well as flavour, you look at sugars, fibre, saturated fat and allergens. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends checking the ingredients list and nutrition table, rather than relying on the front of the pack alone.
If you buy portions to keep in stock
You want to get several snack occasions out of one pack without having to portion it yourself each time. Check the difference between six bars in a pack and six individually wrapped pieces: the outer packaging alone doesn’t tell you how easy the contents are to take with you.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide what counts as one snack occasion for you. Then check whether the packaging makes that practical, and only after that compare the nutritional information for the exact products you’re considering.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Portion and packaging | Count the biscuits or bars in each inner pack and check how many portions the pack contains. | I want to be able to take one sealed portion with me, rather than being left with an open pack. For around 40% of consumers, portion convenience is the most important factor. |
| Nutritional information and allergens | Compare sugars, fibre and saturated fat per 100 g and per planned portion; read the ingredients list and allergen information. | When choosing between different recipes, I want to know what my actual portion contains and which ingredients are in it. For around 40% of consumers, comparing labels comes first. |
| Pack size for keeping in stock | Check how many usable portions there are, the inner packaging and the best-before date. | I’d rather buy several portions at once, as long as I can keep the rest for later snack occasions. This pack-size consideration is the most important factor for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a portion pack contains one biscuit
An inner pack can contain several biscuits. For the Sultana fruit biscuits reviewed, Albert Heijn lists three biscuits per portion; Lotus Biscoff also has packs containing two biscuits per portion.
Check how many pieces are inside and decide whether that counts as one snack occasion for you.
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Letting a claim make the decision for you
A claim about fibre or sugars doesn’t tell you by itself how much sugar, fibre or saturated fat your planned portion contains. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends checking the ingredients list and nutrition table.
Compare the same values per 100 g first, then per portion of the exact product.
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Assuming allergens are the same across flavours
The ingredients in one variety don’t reliably describe another. You should also check the specific product for information about possible traces.
Read the allergen information and other details on the pack you’re actually buying.
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Choosing a multipack without thinking about the rest
A pack containing several bars or twin packs is intended for more than one occasion. If you only want a biscuit now and then, the packaging can affect whether the rest remains useful to you.
Check the number of portions, best-before date and storage instructions before choosing a larger pack.
Brands and product ranges to consider
Lotus Biscoff
The speculoos range reviewed includes packs with two biscuits per portion, as well as a six-grain variety.
- Lotus Bakeries lists a Pocket Pack containing 8 × 2 pieces. It’s worth considering if two biscuits make up one snack occasion for you.
- The six-grain variety has a different recipe from the classic one. Compare sugars, saturated fat and allergens on the exact pack too.
Sultana
The Fruit Biscuit Natural variety reviewed is divided into five portions of three biscuits each.
- This fixed format makes it clear how many biscuits you’re choosing for one planned snack occasion.
- Three biscuits aren’t the same as one biscuit. Check the label on the exact variety for nutritional information and allergens.
Goud Gebakken
ALDI lists Goud Gebakken spiced or breakfast cake as six individually wrapped Koekhappers.
- Individual packs can make it easier to take portions with you for different occasions.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on the pack you choose in store.
Sondey
Lidl describes a range of different cookies, biscuits, wafers and bars under the Sondey brand.
- You can explore different types of products and packaging formats within this range.
- A range description doesn’t tell you the nutritional values or inner packaging of the flavour you choose.
Biscotto
The Biscotto chocolate biscuits reviewed at ALDI are packaged in pairs.
- A twin inner pack could work if you consider two biscuits to be one portion.
- The outer pack reviewed contains 20 biscuits, so it isn’t a single twin pack on its own.
Products for a planned snack occasion
This selection of Joybuy products includes fruit biscuits, chocolate biscuits, a wafer and cereal bars. Check whether the contents and packaging suit one snack occasion; a wafer isn’t a biscuit or a cereal bar.
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Sultana Fruit Biscuit Natural, 218 g
A fruit biscuit to consider if you want to decide in advance how many biscuits to take for one occasion. Check the pack to see how many biscuits are in an inner pack, and read the latest allergen information.
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LU Scholiertje Milk Chocolate Biscuits, 150 g
If you’re looking for chocolate biscuits as a snack, the number of biscuits in each inner pack is particularly important. Check the quantity and allergen information on the exact pack before choosing a portion.
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NABATI Butter Caramel Flavor Wafer, 12 × 27 g
This wafer is an alternative if you want to take a portion from a multipack, but it isn’t a classic biscuit or cereal bar. The product name lists twelve 27 g portions; use the label on the exact pack for nutritional information and allergens.
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Jiashili Fruity Biscuits Blueberry Flavour with sweeteners, 93 g
Consider these blueberry biscuits if you’re looking for a small outer pack. Check how many biscuits you want to take at a time, and read the ingredients and allergen information on the label for this variety.
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g'woon Cookie Bars Less Sugar, 6 pieces
The six cereal bars are handy for planning several snack occasions. Check whether they’re individually wrapped if you want to take one with you; compare the nutrition table rather than relying on the variety name alone.
Frequently asked questions
Is a twin pack handy if I’m buying for one?
Yes, if two biscuits make up one planned snack occasion for you. If you only want one biscuit, check how many pieces are in each inner pack: a twin portion isn’t a single individually wrapped biscuit.
What does a claim such as ‘Less Sugar’ tell me about a cereal bar?
Those words alone don’t tell you how much sugar your portion contains. Compare the nutrition table per 100 g and per planned portion; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre also recommends reading the ingredients list.
How do I check allergens in biscuits?
Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the exact pack, even if you’ve bought another flavour from the same range before. The European Union lists ingredients and allergen information as part of the labelling requirements for prepacked foods.
When should I choose a multipack rather than a portion pack?
A multipack is a good choice if you want to use the remaining portions for later snack occasions. Before buying, check whether the contents are individually wrapped if you want to take one portion at a time, and check the best-before date and storage instructions.