People looking for a practical snack
They’re looking for breakfast cake to enjoy at work, school or on the go. They’re mainly interested in portion sizes, packaging suited to the occasion and the information on the label.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Gift-givers
They’re looking for a presentable box of chocolates or pralines to say thank you, take when visiting or share with others. The size, selection, fillings and allergens all help them choose the right box.
People who read labels carefully
They want to check the ingredients, allergens, nutritional information and shelf life of the specific breakfast cake or box of chocolates before buying. Checking the exact packaging is particularly important for products with different ingredients or fillings.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want something to take with you and eat yourself, or something to give as a gift. Then use the packaging and label to choose a product within that category.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Occasion and presentation | Consider whether you’re looking for a box of chocolates or pralines to give or share, or breakfast cake to eat yourself. | For a thank-you gift, I want packaging I can give as it is, without having to present it differently first. An estimated 40% of consumers say the gift appeal matters most. |
| Convenient portions | Compare sliced cake with individually wrapped pieces or bars of breakfast cake; check the number of portions and the weight per piece. | If I’m taking something to work or school, I want to know in advance how much I’ll be taking each time. Around 30% of consumers say convenience is their top priority. |
| Ingredients and nutritional information | Read the allergen information and any warnings, and check the nutritional values per 100 g. Compare per portion too, if that information is available. | When breakfast cake or chocolates come in different varieties, I want to check what’s in the exact product I’m buying. An estimated 30% of consumers put checking the label first. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking an attractive box for an everyday snack
A box of chocolates may be suitable as a gift or to share, but its presentation says nothing about its nutritional value. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that chocolate contains a lot of saturated fat.
Start by thinking about when you’ll use it, then compare the nutritional information of the products that fit the occasion.
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Relying only on ‘no added sugars’
On its own, this claim tells you nothing about portion size or the other ingredients. Peijnenburg warns that excessive consumption of its Tussendoor+ Choco variety may have a laxative effect.
Read the ingredients, warnings and nutritional values per 100 g and, where available, per portion.
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Assuming you know the allergens from the front of the pack
Ingredients vary between breakfast cakes and chocolate fillings. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens must be clearly listed on the label of prepacked foods.
Check the current label for the exact product, even if you’ve bought a similar one before.
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Reading a rule about baker’s salt as product information
According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, iodine compounds may only be present in bakery products as a result of adding baker’s salt. This doesn’t tell you how much iodine a particular breakfast cake contains.
Don’t use this general rule to infer the ingredients of a specific cake; check the product information instead.
Brands to consider
Peijnenburg
Offers, among other products, plain breakfast cake in individually wrapped bars and a Tussendoor+ Choco variety.
- Peijnenburg states that its plain variety comes in a pack of five individually wrapped 27 g bars.
- Check the ingredients and warnings for your chosen variety. Peijnenburg warns that excessive consumption of Tussendoor+ Choco may have a laxative effect.
Jumbo
Its range includes both breakfast cake and chocolates and pralines, so you can compare the two types side by side.
- Jumbo lists, among other products, 475 g of sliced plain breakfast cake, as well as a separate category for chocolates and pralines.
- Check the current product information on your chosen pack; a product listing tells you nothing about the ingredients of other varieties.
Lindt
A chocolate brand featured in the selection of chocolates shown by Jumbo, making it worth considering if you’re looking for a box of chocolates.
- Jumbo lists Lindt LINDOR Mixed Chocolate Truffles in a 200 g pack.
- Check the fillings, ingredients and allergens for each box; this product listing doesn’t cover all Lindt products.
Breakfast cake for everyday convenience at Joybuy
These breakfast cakes suit anyone looking for something for breakfast or a snack. Pay particular attention to the difference between sliced cake and packs containing several individual pieces. If you’re buying a gift, a box of chocolates or pralines offers a different kind of presentation.
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g'woon sliced wholemeal breakfast cake, 485 g
Sliced cake that’s ready to portion, with no need to cut it yourself. Compare the nutritional values per 100 g and per portion on the pack, and check the current label if you have any allergies.
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Snelle Jelle Breakfast Cake Less Sugar-Free, 250 g
A breakfast cake to consider if you want to take individual portions with you. The pack contains 250 g; check the portion size per bar and read the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on the current label.
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g'woon breakfast cake, 6 pieces
For anyone looking for breakfast cake in a pack of six. Check the weight per piece on the pack and read the current label for ingredients and allergens.
Frequently asked questions
Should I choose breakfast cake or chocolates if I want to take something festive with me?
Choose a box of chocolates or pralines if you’re mainly looking for a gift or something to share; breakfast cake is better suited to a practical breakfast or snack. For a gift, consider the presentation and fillings; for breakfast cake, look at the size and portions.
Should I check the allergens in breakfast cake and chocolates?
Yes. Check the label for the exact variety of either product. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, 14 allergens must be listed on the label; ingredients and fillings can vary from product to product.
What does ‘no added sugars’ mean on breakfast cake?
This claim doesn’t tell you how large a portion is or what other ingredients the cake contains. Compare the full nutritional information and read any warnings. Peijnenburg states that excessive consumption of its Tussendoor+ Choco variety may have a laxative effect.
Does the Dutch rule about baker’s salt mean that breakfast cake contains iodine?
No. The rule doesn’t mean that every breakfast cake contains iodine, or tell you how much it contains. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, iodine compounds may only be present in bakery products through the addition of baker’s salt. Check the product information to find out what’s in a specific cake.