If you’d like to take a little treat for yourself on a night shift, individually wrapped biscuit portions are more practical than a large box of chocolates. An assortment box is better suited to sharing or giving as a gift. Arboportaal advises eating healthily and avoiding snacks on night shifts. For either option, check the current label for allergens and storage instructions.
If it’s for a break of your own, you may want a portion you can take with you without opening a large box. For example, Albert Heijn describes a pack of Lotus Biscoff biscuits containing six individual packs of three biscuits.
A box of individually wrapped pieces can be handy for a treat or a thank-you. Jumbo describes a 250 g merci assortment box containing twenty individually wrapped chocolate pieces. Ask about any relevant allergies before sharing them.
If you need to avoid a particular ingredient, the information on the current packaging takes priority over the flavour or gift appeal. Check both the ingredients list and any warnings about the possible presence of allergens.
First, decide whether you’re taking something for yourself or buying for several people. Then compare the individual portions and check the label.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and portability | Check how many pieces are individually wrapped and how many you want to take for one break. | If I’m only taking something for myself, I don’t want to keep opening a large box. For around 45% of consumers, a clearly defined portion that’s easy to take along comes first. |
| Allergens | Read the current ingredients list and allergen information, including any warnings about possible presence. | If I have an allergy, I want to know whether this particular pack is suitable before I choose or share anything. Around 33% of consumers put checking allergens first when buying. |
| Sharing or giving as a gift | Compare the number of pieces with the number of people receiving them, and check whether they can be handed out individually. | For a shared break, I want to offer enough choice without buying a box that doesn’t suit the group. Sharing or giving as a gift is the main consideration for around 22% of consumers. |
There may be more pieces than you want to take on that shift. Arboportaal also advises avoiding snacks during night shifts.
Decide in advance how much you want to take, then compare a portion pack with the contents of a box.
Different chocolates and fillings can contain different allergens or carry different warnings about their possible presence. For example, the Celebrations gift pack described by Albert Heijn contains ingredients including milk, peanuts, wheat, barley, egg and soya.
Ask about relevant allergies before sharing, and check all the information on the packaging you buy.
Ingredients and allergen information can change, as Albert Heijn notes in its product information.
Use a product page to compare options, but if you have allergies or dietary requirements, base your choice on the current label.
Biscuits for anyone looking to take a portion along for themselves.
Assortment boxes for sharing or giving to several people as a gift.
A mixed chocolate and biscuit gift pack for sharing.
Chocolate from the range shown by ALDI, including mini bars and pralines.
Chocolate bars described by Lidl, rather than a like-for-like alternative to an assortment box.
This selection of Joybuy products includes biscuits and other sweet snacks for a break of your own, as well as chocolate packs you could consider as a treat or gift. Check the contents and current label when choosing.
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For anyone looking for chocolate biscuits for a break of their own; the pack contains 150 g. Check the label for portion sizes, ingredients and allergens.
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If you’re considering a chocolate wafer as well as biscuits for a snack, the product name lists 9 pieces and 104,4 g. Check the current label for allergens and storage instructions.
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This is only a suitable option if you’d also consider a soft cake snack instead of a biscuit for your break. The pack contains 150 g; check the portions and allergens on the label.
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For anyone looking for chocolate to share or give as a gift during a group break; the box contains 288 g. Check how many bars there are, how they’re wrapped and which allergens are listed before handing them out.
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For anyone considering a small chocolate collection as a thank-you; the box contains 125 g. Check the pack to see how many pieces it contains, whether they can be handed out individually and which allergens are listed.
A box is less practical if you only want to take one small portion for a break; in that case, look for individually wrapped pieces instead. Arboportaal advises eating healthily and avoiding snacks on night shifts, so don’t make biscuits or chocolate the main part of what you eat during your shift.
Check the ingredients list and allergen information on the current packaging, even if you’ve looked at the product online before. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that the labelling of fourteen allergens is mandatory. Also read any warnings about their possible presence.
You can’t tell from the name or range of flavours alone. The merci assortment box described by Jumbo lists, among other things, milk, almonds and hazelnuts. Ask about relevant allergies and check the packaging of the box you’re planning to share.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and check that they’re suitable for where you’ll keep the chocolate during your shift. For the merci box described by Jumbo, the advice is to protect the chocolate from heat.
