Organiser planning quantities
Wants to buy enough chocolate biscuits for a coffee break and compares pack sizes, the number of biscuits and the number of serving occasions.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Caterer managing distribution
Wants to hand out biscuits without guests continually reaching into the same open bowl. Packs of two could be a good fit.
Organiser serving loose biscuits at a buffet
Needs up-to-date product information to tell guests about any allergens at the serving point.
What should you look for when buying?
First decide whether guests will help themselves from a bowl or whether you’ll hand out smaller packs. Then check the quantity you need and what information must be available for your chosen serving method.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens when serving loose biscuits | Check the allergens listed on the current packaging and decide how guests will access this information at the serving point. | If I serve biscuits loose, I want to be able to tell guests which allergens they contain. Around 42% of consumers put this information first when food is served. |
| Quantity for all breaks | Compare the pack size and number of biscuits with the number of guests and serving occasions; a stated nutritional serving is not automatically a guest portion. | I don’t want to run out of biscuits halfway through a busy coffee break. Having enough is the main concern for around 33% of consumers. |
| Serving and variety | Check whether the biscuits are loose or packaged in pairs, and how many are in each pack. | If guests are taking their biscuits to a seat, I want them to be easy to hand out, with the option of offering some variety. This is a priority for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming a 300 g pack is automatically suitable for a conference
The pack size alone doesn’t tell you whether there will be enough biscuits for all your guests and breaks. The approximately 23 servings listed by Jumbo for Chocolettes Melk are 13 g nutritional servings, not a set number of guest portions.
Decide how many biscuits you want to offer each guest at each break, then check the number of biscuits or the pack size.
-
Removing the label when putting biscuits out in a bowl
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that information about any allergens in unwrapped foods must be available to guests. A label kept away from the serving point won’t help them make an informed choice.
Keep current product information available at the serving point and agree how you’ll answer guests’ questions.
-
Looking only at the size of one pack
A larger pack may still contain too few biscuits for several breaks. Conversely, a small pack doesn’t tell you how easy its contents will be to hand out.
As well as the weight, check the number of biscuits, whether they’re individually portioned and how you plan to serve them.
-
Using outdated product information for the biscuits you’ve received
Ingredients and allergen information can change when a product is updated.
Before the event, check the label on the pack you’ll actually be serving.
Brands to consider
Jumbo
Jumbo Chocolettes Melk is an example of chocolate biscuits sold in a 300 g pack.
- Jumbo lists approximately 23 nutritional servings for this product.
- That serving size doesn’t tell you how many packs you’ll need for a conference.
Biscotto
ALDI describes Biscotto Chocolate Biscuits as 20 biscuits in a 250 g pack, individually wrapped in pairs.
- The two-biscuit packs give you a clear basis for planning distribution.
- Packaged in pairs doesn’t mean each biscuit is individually wrapped.
Verkade
Verkade makes Chocorondjes with milk chocolate, among other products; Albert Heijn lists these in a 150 g pack.
- This pack could be a useful addition if you want to offer a variety of chocolate biscuits.
- Work out separately how many packs you’ll need for the event.
Lotus Biscoff
Jumbo lists Lotus Biscoff Speculoos Chocolade as a pack of 3 x 6.
- The stated pack format gives you a starting point for planning distribution.
- Check the label on your chosen variety before serving it to guests.
Chocolate biscuits at Joybuy
These products are smaller packs of chocolate biscuits or biscuit sticks. Use the weight as a starting point, then check the number of pieces before deciding how much you’ll need for a conference.
Image unavailable
Lu Scholiertje Milk Chocolate Biscuits 150 g
An option if you want to hand out chocolate biscuits in smaller quantities.
Pack size: 150 g. Check the number of biscuits and the latest allergen information before planning distribution.
Image unavailable
Verkade Gv Oaties Milk Chocolate 150 g
A smaller pack to add to a varied selection for a coffee break.
Pack size: 150 g. Check the number of biscuits and the current label; don’t infer dietary suitability from the product name alone.
Image unavailable
Lu Mikado Milk Chocolate Biscuit Sticks
Biscuit sticks are an alternative to round biscuits for a coffee break.
Check the pack size and packaging format if you want to hand out sticks to each guest; don’t assume they’re individually wrapped.
Image unavailable
quduoduo Chunky Cookies Dark Chocolate Flavour 72 g
A small pack of dark chocolate-flavoured cookies for a change at coffee break.
Pack size: 72 g. Check how many cookies are in the pack before working out how many you’ll need.
Image unavailable
Glico Pocky Cookie Bar Chocolate Flavor 47 g IN
A small biscuit-stick option for an individual break.
Pack size: 47 g. Check the number of sticks and the current allergen information before organising distribution.
Frequently asked questions
When should I choose an open bowl of chocolate biscuits?
An open bowl works well for self-service if you can manage the quantity and presentation during the break. If the biscuits are served unwrapped, make sure information about any allergens they contain is available.
Do I need to provide allergen information if I unwrap the biscuits?
Yes. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, consumers must be given information about any allergens in unwrapped foods. Before serving, decide how guests can access this information at the serving point.
Are 23 stated servings enough for 23 conference guests?
Not necessarily: according to the product information, the approximately 23 servings in Jumbo Chocolettes Melk are 13 g nutritional servings. Decide how many biscuits you want to offer each guest at each break, then calculate how many packs you’ll need.
How should I store chocolate biscuits after opening?
Follow the storage instructions on the label of your chosen product. Albert Heijn says its chocolate biscuits should be stored in a sealed tin after opening; check the packaging for other biscuits.