Choose a multipack of canoe cakes for sharing or lunchboxes only if the current label is suitable for the allergens each recipient needs to avoid. The varieties listed contain several allergens; a larger pack or a convenient number of portions does not make an unsuitable product suitable. Only then compare the number of cakes, portion size and nutritional information.
A general statement on the front of a pack isn’t enough. Compare the full ingredients list and relevant warnings on the current pack with the allergens the person eating them needs to avoid. The product information from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS lists different allergens for the canoe cakes described.
The stated number of cakes or portions can help you divide them up, but only after checking the label for each recipient. The packs described by Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS contain five or six cakes or portions.
If several packs meet your allergen requirements, you can compare the number of portions, the amount per portion and the nutritional values per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing products side by side per 100 g.
When choosing canoe cakes to share or pack in lunchboxes, check the label for everyone who’ll be eating them first. Then use the number of suitable portions and the nutritional information to decide which pack is practical.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens present | Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the current pack, then compare them with the allergens the person eating them needs to avoid. | If I need to avoid an allergen, I want to rule out a pack before sharing it. Around 42% of consumers put checking for allergens present first. |
| Warnings about possible cross-contamination | Also read statements such as ‘may contain’ and warnings about the production environment; assess them in line with the guidance that applies to the person eating them. | Even when an allergen isn’t an ingredient, a warning on the pack may affect my choice. Around 25% of consumers give these warnings top priority. |
| Portions and number of cakes | Check the stated number of cakes or portions and, where shown, the weight per portion. | For lunchboxes, I want to know in advance how many suitable portions I can divide from one pack. This is the main practical consideration for around 17% of consumers. |
| Nutritional information and pack size | Compare suitable products per 100 g, and also check the pack weight and stated portion size. | If more than one pack meets our allergen requirements, I want to compare the nutritional information on a like-for-like basis. This is the top priority for around 16% of consumers. |
The name doesn’t tell you which other allergens are in the canoe cakes. For the varieties described, product information from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS lists ingredients including wheat, soya, milk, egg or almonds, depending on the product.
Read the full ingredients list and allergen information on the pack you’re buying.
A warning about possible cross-contamination means something different from an allergen listed in the ingredients, but it may still matter to the person eating the product.
Check both statements separately and follow the guidance that applies to that person.
A product page doesn’t necessarily show what’s on the pack you’re buying now. For a supermarket product such as Sondey Canoe Cakes, it’s especially important to check the physical packaging.
Check the pack in store, even if you already know the product name and size.
The stated number of portions only helps with planning if the canoe cakes are suitable for the intended recipients.
Check the allergen information for everyone first, then count how many portions you can actually hand out.
Albert Heijn lists AH BASIC Canoe Cakes at 280 g and AH Butter Canoe Cakes at 270 g; the butter variety is divided into six 45 g portions.
Jumbo lists Butter Canoe Cakes at 275 g, divided into five portions.
PLUS lists Aviateur Canoe Cakes in a pack of five, weighing 230 g, as well as PLUS Butter Canoe Cakes at 275 g.
Lidl describes Sondey Canoe Cakes as a 325 g in-store product.
No, the varieties described aren’t automatically suitable for everyone. The product information from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS lists different allergens, so compare the current pack label with the allergens each recipient needs to avoid, including any relevant warnings.
‘May contain’ warns that an allergen could be present due to cross-contamination; it isn’t the same as an allergen listed in the ingredients. Whether you can choose a pack with this warning depends on the guidance that applies to the person eating it. Read the exact wording on the current pack.
When you buy the product, use the label on the pack you’ve actually chosen. Product information and packaging can change, so check the ingredients and warnings again even if you’ve bought the product before.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging for the variety you’ve chosen. For the canoe cakes it describes, Albert Heijn recommends storing them in a sealed tin after opening. Before handing them out, also check that the product is suitable for each recipient according to the current label.
