Shoppers planning several Christmas breakfasts
If you’d like to use flakes for breakfast, brunch or dessert, the net weight can help you decide which pack suits your plans. The packs mentioned range from 200 g to 300 g.
Who are these options relevant to?
Shoppers with a particular flavour preference
If you know you want milk chocolate flakes, dark chocolate flakes, extra dark flakes or a festive mix, it’s best to choose the exact variety first. These descriptions appear on various products from brands including De Ruijter, Jumbo and PLUS.
Shoppers who need to check allergens
If you have a food allergy, the flavour name alone isn’t enough. Product information from PLUS, De Ruijter and Joybuy shows that references to milk, soya and wheat vary between products, so always read the label on the pack you choose.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, work out how many occasions you’re planning for, then choose a flavour or decide how you’ll use the flakes. Check the exact packaging separately if the ingredients or allergens are important to your choice.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size and use | Check the net weight and think about which breakfasts, brunches or desserts you’d like to use the flakes for. | I want to use the same flakes on several occasions and need a pack that suits. For around 40% of consumers, pack size comes first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ statement for the exact variety you’ve chosen. | If I need to avoid an allergen, I don’t want to rely on the words ‘dark’ or ‘vegan’. This is the first concern for around 30% of consumers. |
| Flavour and use | Choose between milk, dark and extra dark; if you’re considering a festive mix, think about whether you’ll use it as a topping or decoration. | For Christmas brunch or baking, I want a particular flavour or a decorative mix. Around 30% of consumers prioritise this choice. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘dark’ or ‘vegan’ means an allergen isn’t present
PLUS states that its dark chocolate flakes may contain milk and lactose. According to PLUS, De Ruijter milk flakes contain milk, lactose and soya; Joybuy lists wheat, soya and milk among the allergens for Vlokkenfeest.
Before use, read the label for the exact flavour and pack, even if you’ve bought a different variety from the same brand before.
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Storing chocolate flakes in the freezer
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing opened dark chocolate flakes in a kitchen cupboard and says the freezer is less suitable.
Seal the pack tightly after opening and follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
Brands compared
De Ruijter
De Ruijter offers, among other products, 200 g boxes of milk flakes and 240 g boxes of Royaal extra dark flakes, as listed by PLUS.
- The varieties mentioned offer a choice between milk chocolate and extra dark chocolate.
- According to PLUS, the 200 g milk flakes contain milk, lactose and soya. Check the allergens again if you choose a different variety.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists 300 g packs of chocolate flakes in milk and dark varieties.
- If you’re choosing between milk and dark chocolate, you can compare the two separately labelled varieties.
- Jumbo’s product page lists milk as an allergen for the milk variety. Don’t assume the same product information applies to the dark variety without checking the label.
PLUS
PLUS lists 300 g boxes of dark Fairtrade chocolate flakes.
- The product information lists the dark variety and pack size separately.
- Although PLUS labels this variety as vegan, the ingredients information says the product may contain milk and lactose. Check the current packaging for allergen information.
Kiekeboe
ALDI lists 300 g packs of Kiekeboe chocolate flakes in milk or dark varieties.
- The milk and dark varieties listed make it easy to choose the flavour you want.
- Check the label on the variety you’re actually buying for ingredients and allergen information.
Chocolate flakes and related products at Joybuy
This selection includes chocolate flakes for bread or yoghurt, a festive mix and chocolate sprinkles that can also be used for decoration. Sprinkles are a different type of product from flakes, so choose according to how you plan to use them.
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g'woon milk chocolate flakes, 300 g
A milk chocolate variety for anyone who’d like to use flakes on bread or yoghurt; the product description also mentions desserts.
Pack size: 300 g. If you have an allergy, check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging.
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De Ruijter Vlokkenfeest, 200 g
A mix of chocolate and vanilla flakes for anyone looking for a topping for bread, yoghurt or baking.
Pack size: 200 g. Joybuy lists gluten, wheat, soya and milk in the allergen information; check the current label before use.
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g'woon milk chocolate sprinkles with smiley faces, 600 g
Sprinkles for anyone looking for something to decorate cakes with as well as a topping for bread; these are not chocolate flakes.
Pack size: 600 g. Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging if they’re important to your choice.
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De Ruijter dark chocolate sprinkles, 390 g
Dark chocolate sprinkles for bread or as a topping for yoghurt and cupcakes; this is not a pack of chocolate flakes.
Pack size: 390 g. The product description states that it contains at least 52% cocoa solids and lists milk solids and soya; don’t assume that ‘dark’ means the product is dairy-free.
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De Ruijter milk chocolate flakes, 200 g
A milk chocolate variety for anyone who’d like to use flakes on bread or yoghurt; the product description also mentions baking.
Pack size: 200 g. For this milk variety, PLUS lists milk, lactose and soya as allergens; check the label on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Why compare the pack sizes of chocolate flakes?
The net weight helps you decide whether one pack will be enough for the occasions when you’d like to use the flakes. The milk and dark flakes mentioned from De Ruijter, Jumbo and PLUS come in different pack sizes; also remember that flakes and sprinkles are different products.
Are dark flakes labelled vegan suitable for someone with a milk allergy?
Don’t assume they are without checking the label: PLUS labels its dark chocolate flakes as vegan, but also states that they may contain milk and lactose. Read the allergen information on the exact pack you’re buying.
How should I store opened chocolate flakes over the festive season?
Seal the pack tightly and follow the storage instructions on the label. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing opened dark chocolate flakes in a kitchen cupboard and says the freezer is less suitable.