For a baby under 1, breakfast cake isn’t an everyday choice for baby-led weaning: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving babies food containing salt, and the plain varieties described here contain salt. If an older child eats breakfast cake occasionally, check the salt and sugars per 100 g, the ingredients and the allergens on the packaging.
For a baby under 1, age suitability matters more than the convenience of a soft snack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving babies food containing salt. For first tastes, it suggests options including a small piece of bread softened with breast or formula milk.
If a child aged 1 or over eats breakfast cake occasionally, the product variety, salt and sugars per 100 g, and pack size are all relevant. Compare the information on the pack you’re buying.
If your child needs to avoid certain ingredients, check the allergen information for that exact variety. The PLUS variety described here lists rye and wheat and warns that it may contain nuts. The school or childcare setting may also have its own policy.
First, decide what age the breakfast cake is for. Then check the ingredients and allergens. If an older child eats breakfast cake occasionally, you can also compare the nutritional information and pack size.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Age and salt | Check the age the food is intended for and read the salt content per 100 g. | If I want to give my baby a taste, I don’t want to choose breakfast cake just because it’s soft. For around 42% of consumers, the age-related question of salt comes first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list, any allergens listed and any warnings on the pack. If needed, ask about the school or childcare setting’s policy. | If my child needs to avoid certain grains or nuts, I need to assess the variety I’ve chosen separately. For around 33% of consumers, allergens or childcare requirements are the main concern. |
| Pack size | Check the pack size and choose an amount that suits how often your family eats breakfast cake. | If my older child only eats breakfast cake occasionally, I want to avoid leaving some of the pack uneaten. Around 25% of consumers put reducing waste first. |
A soft texture doesn’t remove the concern about salt. According to Jumbo, the Peijnenburg plain sliced variety described here contains 0.50 g of salt per 100 g; the PLUS Korenlanders variety described here lists 0.66 g per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving babies food containing salt.
For a baby under 1, check the age guidance and salt content first. Only then consider the texture and amount.
Ingredients and warnings vary between varieties. The PLUS breakfast cake described here lists rye and wheat and may contain nuts.
Read the current ingredients and allergen information on the pack you’ve chosen. Before sending breakfast cake to school or childcare, ask what policies they have in place.
Peijnenburg makes several varieties of breakfast cake. The 550 g plain sliced variety is a useful reference point for comparing labels.
Jumbo sells breakfast cake in different formats, including plain varieties and individually portioned packs.
PLUS Korenlanders makes a 500 g plain breakfast cake, with product information available from PLUS.
No, not based on the plain varieties described here. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving babies food containing salt, and these breakfast cakes contain salt. For first tastes, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre suggests options including a small piece of bread softened with breast or formula milk.
No. That claim doesn’t answer whether it’s suitable for a particular age. Also check the salt, total sugars and ingredients on the label for the variety in question.
Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the pack you’re buying. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens must be clearly listed in the ingredients. For breakfast cake, check the grains listed and any warnings that it may contain other allergens.
