Before packing a chocolate biscuit, check that it meets the school’s rules and read the allergen information on the exact packaging. If biscuits are allowed, a pack of two makes it easy to set a portion in advance; with a larger pack, you’ll need to portion them yourself. Offer a chocolate biscuit as a sweet extra, not instead of the other parts of the lunch.
For anyone who only wants to pack a biscuit if the school’s rules and the label on the chosen pack allow it. The Albert Heijn and Jumbo products reviewed list ingredients including cereals containing gluten, milk or soya; the ingredients vary by variety.
For anyone who wants to decide in advance how many biscuits to put in the lunchbox. For the plain Scholiertje variety reviewed, LU lists a pack of two; with a larger pack, you’ll need to portion them yourself.
For anyone who wants to pack a chocolate biscuit now and then without building the lunch around it. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also recommends including vegetables or fruit, wholemeal bread and a sugar-free drink in a school lunch.
Start by checking the school’s policy and the label on the exact variety. Then compare the packaging and decide whether you’re looking for a biscuit with a chocolate coating or whether another type of chocolate biscuit will do.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens and school rules | Read the allergen information on the packaging and check the school’s rules, including those on products carrying a warning about possible allergens. | If I’m packing something for a class with allergy rules, I want to know first whether this particular biscuit is allowed. Around 42% of consumers give this check top priority. |
| Portion and packaging | Compare the number of biscuits in each pack and check whether they’re packed in twos or need to be portioned at home. | For a lunchbox, I want to be able to decide on the amount in advance without needing to take an opened large pack along; around 33% of consumers prioritise this choice of portion. |
| Type of biscuit and lunch | Check whether it has a chocolate coating, a chocolate tablet, a filling or chocolate pieces. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g or per portion if you’re weighing up products. | I’m looking for a particular type of chocolate biscuit, but want to pack it as an extra alongside the rest of the lunch. Around 25% of consumers consider this combination first. |
A school may have its own rules about food and allergens. What’s more, the ingredients and warnings vary between the Albert Heijn and Jumbo chocolate biscuits reviewed.
Read the label on the pack you’re planning to send in and check the school handbook, app or communications. If your child has an allergy, follow the individual arrangements agreed with the child and school.
A biscuit with a chocolate coating is different from one with a chocolate tablet, pieces or filling. So the general product name doesn’t tell you much about the specific version you’re buying.
If you prefer a coated biscuit, check the description of the exact variety to see what form the chocolate takes.
With a large pack, you decide how many biscuits to take and need to store the rest once it’s been opened.
Decide in advance whether you want a pack of two or would rather portion them yourself. If you choose a large pack, check the storage instructions on the packaging too.
The AH own-brand range includes sugared biscuits with a dark chocolate coating, sold in a pack to portion yourself.
Jumbo offers a dark chocolate biscuit in a pack of nine.
LU Scholiertje plain is a butter biscuit topped with a tablet of dark chocolate and, according to the product information, comes in packs of two.
ALDI lists both chocolate biscuits in packs of two and mini biscuits in six individual packs under the Biscotto brand.
Lidl lists Sondey Choco biscuits milk as a 125 g product.
This selection of Joybuy products includes chocolate biscuits and biscuit sticks, as well as two chocolate wafers as a different kind of sweet extra. Check each product’s label and the school’s rules; the wafers aren’t chocolate-coated biscuits.
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An option to consider if you’re looking for a Scholiertje with milk chocolate for a lunch portion you’ve planned in advance.
The product name lists a 150 g pack. Check the packaging to see how the biscuits are packed and which allergens apply to this milk chocolate variety.
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A small pack to consider if you’re looking for a biscuit-style chocolate snack for the lunchbox.
The product name lists 47 g and the IN variety. Check the packaging format and allergens on the label before packing it.
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Biscuit sticks are a different shape from flat chocolate biscuits. Choose them if they suit the portion you want to pack.
The product name lists milk chocolate and 75 g. Check the packaging to see how the sticks are divided and which allergens are listed.
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An alternative if you’d like to pack a chocolate wafer instead of a chocolate-coated biscuit.
The product name lists nine pieces and a salted caramel flavour. If you need sealed portions, check whether the pieces are individually wrapped, and read the allergen information on the label.
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This pistachio chocolate wafer is a suitable lunchbox choice only if the ingredients and school rules allow it.
The product name lists 10 × 12,5 g. Check the full label and see whether the portions are individually wrapped before packing one.
Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the exact pack you want to send in. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are listed on labels for pre-packed foods; don’t rely on the general product name alone.
You can’t tell from the chocolate coating or product category. The varieties reviewed from brands including Albert Heijn and Jumbo list cereals containing gluten or wheat, but check the label of each variety you choose.
Check the school’s rules before packing the biscuit. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises parents to consult the school handbook, website or app; you should also take any individual allergy arrangements into account.
Follow the storage instructions on the pack you’ve chosen. For the sugared biscuits with dark chocolate reviewed, Albert Heijn advises storing them in a cool, dark and dry place and keeping them in a sealed tin after opening.
