If you want to give each customer one biscuit with their order at a Dutch doughnut stall, choose a pack of individually wrapped biscuits. For lunchboxes, a sealed twin pack is a good option when you want to offer two biscuits at a time. A larger pack is best for sharing or portioning yourself, but check how the biscuits are wrapped before use and how you’ll provide allergen information if you’re offering them unpackaged.
If you give customers one biscuit with a hot drink or their order, individually wrapped portions let you hand them out without opening a bulk pack each time. Even with pre-packed biscuits, check the allergen information for the variant you’ve chosen.
If you want to pack a sealed portion without repackaging it yourself, a bag with two biscuits could be a good fit. Check that two biscuits are the portion size you’re looking for.
If you mainly need a larger quantity, check the number of biscuits and the pack size. Also check whether the biscuits are individually wrapped; if you’re offering unpackaged biscuits to customers, allergen information must be available before they buy.
First decide whether you’ll hand out individual biscuits, offer twin packs or serve them from a larger pack. Then compare the quantities shown on the pack and check the label for the exact variant.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Serving individual biscuits | Count the individual packs and check how many biscuits are in each bag. | If I want to give each customer one biscuit with their order, I don’t want to keep taking loose biscuits from an opened bulk pack. Around 36% of consumers prioritise individually wrapped portions. |
| Quantity for sharing | Compare the number of biscuits and the net weight; don’t assume a high quantity means they’re individually wrapped. | For sharing or staff supplies, I want to know how many biscuits I’m getting. For around 29% of consumers, quantity is the top priority. |
| Portions to take away | Check how many bags there are and whether two biscuits per bag suit the occasion. | A lunchbox calls for a sealed portion that I don’t have to put together myself. Around 21% of consumers prioritise this kind of portion to take away. |
| Choosing between variants | Check the ingredients and allergen information on the current label for each exact variant. | If I want to offer different biscuits, I need to be able to check what I’m giving customers for each variant. Around 14% of consumers put this choice first. |
The number of biscuits shown doesn’t tell you how many bags are in the pack. So even a large pack may not be practical if you want to give each customer a sealed portion.
Before buying, check whether the pack says ‘individually wrapped’ and how many biscuits are in each bag.
A vegan label doesn’t tell you whether a biscuit contains ingredients such as wheat or soya.
When giving customers information, use the allergen details on the current label for the exact variant.
According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), information about the 14 allergens in unpackaged food must be available before purchase. You can provide it verbally under certain conditions, including having the information readily available and displaying a clear notice telling customers they can ask for it.
Keep the latest product information available at your stall and have a system in place before offering biscuits unpackaged.
The 300-biscuit pack of Lotus Speculoos we looked at was listed as unavailable in the Albert Heijn range. A product listing doesn’t guarantee that it’ll be available on the day you plan to sell it.
Check availability, packaging and the current label just before you buy.
Two packs we looked at offer different portion sizes: individually wrapped biscuits for handing out, and bags of two biscuits to take away.
An option to consider when the number of speculoos biscuits for sharing is your main priority.
A pack of baker’s speculaas biscuits to compare for sharing or stocking up.
A Lidl own-brand range to consider if you want to compare different types of biscuits and cookies.
Yes. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), information about the 14 allergens in unpackaged food must be available before purchase. You can provide it in writing or, under certain conditions, verbally. If you provide it verbally, the information must be readily available and a clear notice must tell customers they can ask for it.
Yes. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, any business that sells or supplies food directly to consumers must register with the NVWA; market stalls are given as an example. To register, the business must be registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce.
According to Business.gov.nl, you need a market permit from the relevant local council to trade from a stall at a market in the Netherlands. Requirements depend on the council and the pitch. If your stall isn’t at a market, ask the council which local rules apply to that location.
No. Being suitable for vegans doesn’t automatically mean a product is free from wheat or soya. If a customer has an allergy, always check the allergen information on the current label for the exact biscuit variant.
