Who would find an individually wrapped bar useful?

Holidaymaker with one snack break on the go

Want to take one bar in your bag without opening a whole pack? Check whether the pack you’ve chosen says ‘individually wrapped’, and look at the number of bars and the portion size.

Comparing sugar content

If you’re comparing a regular breakfast cake bar with a zero- or reduced-sugar variety, check the ingredients and any warnings too. The name on the front doesn’t tell you which sweeteners have been used.

Anyone with an allergy or dietary requirement

Check the ingredients and allergens for the flavour and pack you’ve chosen. PLUS’s product information shows that Peijnenburg bars vary; even a breakfast cake labelled gluten-free may contain other allergens.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by asking whether you really need one individually wrapped bar. Then compare the label and check whether you can buy the pack you want before you leave.

What to consider What should you check? Who is it important for?
Individual portions Look for ‘individually wrapped’ and check the number of bars; ‘6 pieces’ alone doesn’t confirm that they’re wrapped individually. If I only want to put one bar in my bag, I want to be able to keep the rest of the pack closed. Around 42% of consumers prioritise this convenience.
Sugars and ingredients Compare sugars per 100 g and per portion; for a zero variety, check the sweeteners and any usage warnings too. When choosing between regular breakfast cake and a zero variety, I want to know what changes apart from the sugar. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this comparison of ingredients.
Availability and pack size Check how many usable portions are in the pack and where you can buy the one you’ve chosen before you leave. When packing for my holiday, I want to be able to get the pack I want in good time. For around 25% of consumers, practical availability is their main concern.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a multipack contains individually wrapped bars

    The number of bars in a pack doesn’t necessarily mean you can take each one with you separately.

    Look for the words ‘individually wrapped’ on the pack or product page.

  • Ignoring the rest of the label when it says ‘zero’

    Albert Heijn lists xylitol in its Kruidkoekreep zero and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

    Compare the nutritional information and ingredients, and read the warning on the pack before choosing this variety.

  • Assuming every breakfast cake bar contains iodine

    According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t assume that every bar contains iodine from baker’s salt.

    If this matters to your choice, check the information for the specific product or ask the manufacturer.

  • Guessing allergens from the brand name

    The Peijnenburg varieties listed by PLUS have different ingredients and allergens. A gluten-free breakfast cake isn’t automatically free from other allergens either.

    Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact flavour and pack you’re buying.

Brands to consider

Peijnenburg

PLUS lists breakfast cake bars including Original and Noten in packs of five, with each bar wrapped individually.

  • Original’s individual wrapping makes it suitable for one bar per snack break.
  • Original contains rye and gluten; the Noten variety contains almonds and hazelnuts. Check the specific variety separately.

Albert Heijn

The own-brand range includes a plain pack of six bars and a zero pack of five.

  • Albert Heijn describes the zero variety as individually wrapped.
  • The zero variety contains xylitol and carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists its own-brand breakfast cake in packs of six, including a reduced-sugar variety.

  • The number of pieces can help you choose a pack for several snack breaks.
  • Check whether the six pieces are individually wrapped for each product.

Lidl

Lidl lists cake bars in packs of six, including raisin spiced cake and reduced-sugar breakfast cake.

  • According to Lidl, the pack contains six bars.
  • Lidl says these cake bars are available in store only; check the pack to see whether the bars are individually wrapped.

Breakfast cake-style products at Joybuy

This Snelle Jelle variety is worth considering if you’re looking for one bar per snack break on holiday. Check the pack information if individually wrapped bars are essential to your choice.

Pack of Snelle Jelle Breakfast Cake Less Sugar-Free 250 g

Snelle Jelle Breakfast Cake Less Sugar-Free 250 g

Consider this variety if you want to take a portion with you, and check whether the pack you choose contains individually wrapped bars.

The product name states 250 g. To see how it fits your sugar preferences, compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion, and check the ingredients and allergens on the pack.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does every breakfast cake bar contain iodine from baker’s salt?

No, you can’t assume that every bar does. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes the permitted addition of iodine through baker’s salt in bakery products, but according to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the specific product or ask the manufacturer if iodine is important to your choice.

How should I store breakfast cake bars on holiday?

Follow the storage advice on your own pack. For the bars mentioned, Albert Heijn recommends storing them in a cool, dark and dry place, so don’t leave them in direct sunlight or a hot car for long periods.

Are breakfast cake bars always gluten-free or nut-free?

No. According to PLUS’s product information, Peijnenburg Original contains rye and gluten, while the Noten variety contains almonds and hazelnuts. PLUS also lists a gluten-free Peijnenburg breakfast cake containing milk and lupin; it’s unsliced, so it isn’t the same as an individually wrapped bar.

Can I ignore the usage warning on a zero bar?

No. Albert Heijn lists xylitol in its Kruidkoekreep zero and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Read the ingredients, portion information and warning on the pack you choose.