Who needs to think about pack sizes?

Buffet manager planning set portions

If you want to plan portions for each breakfast service, a stated portion count is more useful than pack weight alone. Albert Heijn lists six 45 g portions; Jumbo lists five 55 g portions.

Hotel with a self-service buffet

If guests take canoe biscuits without the original packaging, they must still be able to access information about the allergens they contain. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that food businesses must provide information about 14 allergens for non-prepacked foods.

Buyer comparing pack sizes

A larger pack may be useful for buffet planning, but its weight won’t tell you how many individual biscuits it contains. Check the number of biscuits, the shelf life and whether the size you want is available from your chosen retailer or delivery service.

What to look for in canoe biscuits for a breakfast buffet

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Portions per pack Compare the stated number of portions or biscuits, and the weight per portion. Albert Heijn lists six 45 g portions; Jumbo lists five 55 g portions. If I want to serve one portion per breakfast or lunchbox, I need to know in advance how many servings a pack will cover. Around 36% of consumers put portion planning first.
Allergen information Check the label on the product you’ve chosen and keep the information available when serving the biscuits without their packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority requires allergen information for non-prepacked foods. When guests help themselves to biscuits, I want to be able to answer their questions about the allergens they contain. For around 29% of consumers, this is their main concern.
Usable quantity Check both the pack weight and the number of biscuits before deciding how many you need for the buffet. A heavier pack doesn’t necessarily contain more individual portions. For a larger breakfast service, I want to know how many biscuits I can actually serve, not just how much the pack weighs. Around 21% of consumers say this usable quantity is their priority.
Pack size and availability Check whether the size you want is available from your chosen retailer or delivery service. Lidl lists Sondey Canoes as available in store only. If I’m looking for a particular size of biscuit for the buffet, I need to be sure I can buy it before breakfast service. For around 14% of consumers, pack size or availability comes first.

Common buffet-planning mistakes

  • Confusing pack weight with the number of portions you can serve

    According to Albert Heijn, a 270 g pack contains six 45 g portions, while Jumbo lists five 55 g portions in a 275 g pack. So, even though the packs weigh almost the same, they don’t have the same stated number of portions.

    Plan around the confirmed number of portions or biscuits, then decide separately how many you want to offer each guest.

  • Removing the packaging without keeping the allergen information

    The Albert Heijn and Jumbo products mentioned list several allergens. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that food businesses must also provide information about allergens in non-prepacked foods.

    Keep the current packaging or product specification to hand, and make sure guests can find out which allergens are in the biscuits on offer.

  • Planning around a pack size without checking availability

    Jumbo lists Aviateur Filled Canoes and Jumbo Butter Mini Canoes as no longer available in its online range. Lidl describes the Sondey product it lists as available in store only.

    Check your chosen retailer or delivery service before deciding how many packs you need.

    A product that’s only available in store may mean an extra trip to the shops.

Brands and own-label options to consider

Albert Heijn

AH Butter Canoes: 270 g, with six stated portions of 45 g.

  • The stated number of portions makes it easier to plan for each serving.
  • This product lists wheat, soya, egg, milk and almond, among other ingredients. Check the current packaging when serving.

Jumbo

Jumbo Butter Canoes: 275 g, with five stated portions of 55 g.

  • The stated portion size is useful if you want to plan a larger portion for each serving than with the AH product mentioned above.
  • The product information lists several allergens and possible traces of other cereals and nuts. Check the label on the pack you’ll be serving.

PLUS

PLUS Butter Canoes are sold in a 275 g tray, with almond paste filling and an almond decoration.

  • The product information describes the ingredients and allergens for this product.
  • Check the number of biscuits on the pack if you want to plan by individual biscuit.

Sondey

Lidl lists Sondey Canoes in a 325 g pack, available in store only.

  • The pack weight is available to help you plan the total quantity you need to buy.
  • Check the number of biscuits and the allergen information on the pack in store before planning how you’ll serve them at the buffet.

Heerlijck Banket

ALDI lists Heerlijck Banket Canoes in a 330 g pack.

  • The stated pack weight helps you work out how many packs you need.
  • Before serving, check the number of biscuits, ingredients and allergens on the packaging.

Aviateur

Jumbo lists Aviateur Filled Canoes in a pack of seven, weighing 325 g.

  • The stated number of biscuits makes it easier to plan how many you’ll need.
  • Jumbo says this product is no longer in its online range, so don’t count on being able to order it online without checking availability again.

Canoe biscuits on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions about canoe biscuits at breakfast

How many portions are there in a pack of canoe biscuits?

It varies by pack: Albert Heijn lists six 45 g portions in its 270 g pack, while Jumbo lists five 55 g portions in its 275 g pack. If you’re planning by individual biscuit, check whether the label gives a separate biscuit count.

Can I serve canoe biscuits without their packaging at a hotel breakfast buffet?

Yes, as long as guests can get information about the allergens in the biscuits being served. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that food businesses must provide information about 14 allergens for non-prepacked foods. Keep the details from the specific pack available at the buffet.

Which allergens should I check in these canoe biscuits?

Check the allergens for the specific product and pack. The Albert Heijn and Jumbo canoe biscuits mentioned list wheat, egg, milk, soya and almond, among other ingredients. Don’t assume that every brand or pack has the same ingredients.

How should I store canoe biscuits for a breakfast buffet?

Follow the storage instructions on the packaging for the product you’ve chosen. Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS product information says to store the biscuits in a cool, dry place. For its product, Albert Heijn recommends storing them in a sealed tin after opening.