Which packaging works best for you?

Travellers who want to share on the go

If you’re looking for individual portions to share with fellow travellers or pack in lunchboxes, check whether each piece has its own wrapper. That way, you won’t need to cut it up on the go.

Planners preparing several portions

If you’re taking breakfast cake for a group or a longer journey, you could also portion out a larger cake at home. Bear in mind how you’ll wrap any slices left over.

Travellers comparing labels

If sugars, fibre, ingredients or allergens matter to your choice, compare the exact variants. A different flavour or claim on the front of the pack may mean different nutritional information.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide whether you want to hand out portions straight away on the go or can portion them out in advance. Then compare the quantity and labels of the packs that suit your plans.

Individually wrapped portions

Useful if: you want to share without a knife or take an individual portion for each lunchbox.

Trade-off: each portion has its own wrapper, which you’ll need to throw away while you’re out.

Larger breakfast cake

Useful if: you can portion it out at home for several travellers.

Trade-off: you’ll need a suitable container or bag for a cut cake or individual slices.

What to consider What to check before you buy Who is this most important for?
Portions and sharing Check the number of pieces and whether they’re individually wrapped. I want to hand them out on the train without cutting up a cake or putting an opened pack back in my bag. For around 25% of consumers, ease of portioning comes first.
Nutritional information Compare sugars and fibre per 100 g and per portion; if you’re choosing a reduced-sugar variant, check the ingredients too. When comparing variants, I want to know what’s in one portion and whether it contains sweeteners. Around 33% of consumers put this nutritional information first.
Quantity needed Count the portions you’ll need for the journey and compare the weight of each piece with that of a larger cake. For a group of travellers, I want to take enough without coming home with lots left over. This is the main consideration for around 25% of consumers.
Allergens and ingredients Read the allergen information and any warnings on the current packaging. I need to be able to check before setting off whether this particular variant is suitable for me. Around 17% of consumers prioritise this check.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming the number of pieces is the same as the number of individual wrappers

    A pack containing several pieces doesn’t necessarily mean that each one is wrapped separately. You’ll notice the difference when you want to hand them out straight away on the train.

    Check the pack to see whether the portions are individually wrapped and how much one portion weighs.

  • Taking ‘less sugar’ to mean ‘sugar-free’

    The reduced-sugar Snelle Jelle variant described by PLUS still lists 24 g of sugars per 100 g. The claim alone doesn’t tell you what’s in one portion.

    Read the nutrition table and ingredients list for the exact variant, including any sweeteners.

  • Relying on the label from a pack you bought before

    PLUS lists rye in the Snelle Jelle products described; possible traces of milk and nuts are also mentioned. If you choose a different variant, check the ingredients again.

    Read the current packaging before eating if you need to avoid particular ingredients or allergens.

  • Forgetting to make room for used wrappers

    Individual portions also mean individual wrappers to dispose of. NS asks passengers to put their rubbish in a bin.

    Keep used wrappers together until you can put them in a bin.

Brands to compare

Peijnenburg

Peijnenburg offers both larger breakfast cakes and packs of individual portions. Jumbo lists, among other options, plain breakfast cake in a pack of 10 × 28 g, individually wrapped.

  • A clearly stated pack size for anyone wanting to take ten individual portions.
  • Check the nutritional information and number of pieces for each variant; these can differ between Peijnenburg packs.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists its own-brand breakfast cake in packs of six pieces and as a larger cake. This makes it easy to compare the number of portions you need with how much you can prepare at home.

  • The listed plain pack of six pieces contains 330 g in total.
  • Check whether the pieces in each pack are individually wrapped; ‘six pieces’ doesn’t confirm this.

Snelle Jelle

PLUS lists Snelle Jelle in packs of four individually wrapped pieces, including a reduced-sugar variant.

  • The individual wrappers mean you don’t need to cut it up before handing it out.
  • The reduced-sugar variant described by PLUS lists rye and possible traces of milk and nuts; check the label on the pack you choose.

Breakfast cake at Joybuy

These two g'woon packs are worth considering if you’re looking for several portions for the train. Check whether each piece in the six-piece pack has its own wrapper; you can also portion out the sliced cake in advance.

g'woon breakfast cake, 6 pieces

g'woon breakfast cake, 6 pieces

A pack of six pieces, ideal for taking portions for several travellers. Before buying, check whether each piece is individually wrapped if you want to hand them out straight away on the go.

View at Joybuy
g'woon sliced wholemeal breakfast cake, 485 g

g'woon sliced wholemeal breakfast cake, 485 g

A 485 g sliced cake for anyone who wants to portion it out before setting off. Check the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging before choosing this variant.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

What’s more convenient for the train: individual portions or a sliced cake?

Individually wrapped portions are more convenient if you want to hand them out on the go without cutting anything. A larger sliced cake works well if you portion it out at home and pack it to take with you.

Does ‘less sugar’ automatically mean a breakfast cake is right for me?

No. Assess the exact variant by checking its nutrition table, ingredients and portion size. A claim such as ‘less sugar’ doesn’t tell you everything about the product’s nutritional properties.

Can I rely on one standard allergen list for all breakfast cakes?

No. Check the current packaging for the variant you want to eat. The Snelle Jelle products described by PLUS list rye and possible traces of milk and nuts; this doesn’t tell you which allergens are in every other breakfast cake.

Does every breakfast cake contain iodised baker’s salt?

Don’t assume that it does. If the type of salt used matters to your choice, check the ingredients list for the product in question.

What should I do with wrappers during an NS train journey?

Put used wrappers in a bin. NS asks passengers to dispose of their rubbish; keep the wrappers together until you can use a bin.