Organisers buying for a group
If you’re expecting several guests, you’ll want to plan how many packs to buy without relying solely on the front of the packaging. Compare the pack size of the exact products you plan to serve.
Who is this choice important for?
Hosts who want to offer a choice of flavours
Milk, dark, white and mixed flakes give guests a choice. Albert Heijn and Jumbo list a range of options, so check which ones are available when you shop.
Organisers of a self-service buffet
If you’re serving flakes in bowls, guests need to be able to check which allergens they contain. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says this information must be available where unpackaged food is offered to consumers.
What should you look for when shopping?
First work out how many guests will want flakes, then choose the flavours and decide how to serve them with clear labels and the correct allergen information.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity | Check the weight of each pack and work out how many unopened packs you’ll need for the expected number of guests. | If lots of guests want flakes, I want to have enough to serve without opening too many packs unnecessarily. For around 31% of consumers, quantity would be the main consideration. |
| Choice of flavours | Choose between milk, dark, white or a mix, and check the weight of each flavour you select. | When guests have different preferences, I want to be able to offer more than one flavour. Around 31% of consumers would prioritise variety. |
| Allergens and nutritional information | Read the label on each exact product, including any warnings about possible traces. You can also check the nutritional information per 100 g. | I want to be able to tell guests accurately what their chosen flakes contain. For around 23% of consumers, product information would be their top priority. |
| Serving at a buffet | For unpackaged food, keep the allergen information beside the bowl and follow the storage instructions on the pack. | If guests are serving themselves, I want them to be able to identify the contents of each bowl and keep any spare packs sealed. Ease of serving would be the most important factor for around 15% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘bulk’ means one exceptionally large pack
You can also buy the quantity you need for a group by combining several standard packs. ALDI and PLUS, among others, list 300 g packs of chocolate flakes, but pack sizes may vary for other products.
First plan how much you’ll need for your guests, then work out how many packs of your chosen product to buy.
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Assuming every flavour has the same allergens
Allergens vary by product: PLUS lists milk and lactose for its milk chocolate flakes, while the De Ruijter Dark Flakes listed by Jumbo contain soya and may contain traces of milk.
Read the label on every pack you buy. For self-service, copy the allergen information onto an up-to-date sign or keep the packaging beside the bowl.
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Assuming an online product listing means it’s always in stock
A listed flavour may not be available when you need it. For example, Jumbo says the 300 g pack of De Ruijter Dark Flakes is no longer part of its online range.
Check that your chosen product is available before finalising the quantity for your event.
An unexpected substitute could mean an extra trip to the shops just before serving.
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Putting all the flakes in an open bowl at once
Once you’ve decanted them, guests can no longer read the label on the pack. It also becomes harder to keep spare packs separate and sealed.
Top up the bowl as needed, follow the storage advice on the pack and keep the correct packaging or an allergen sign by the serving area.
Brands to compare
De Ruijter
A brand to consider if you want to offer a considered choice of chocolate flake flavours at your buffet.
- Jumbo lists a range of De Ruijter flakes, including dark, white and mixed varieties, with pack sizes that vary by flavour.
- The 300 g pack of Dark Flakes listed by Jumbo is no longer part of its online range, so check that your chosen product is available.
Kiekeboe
An ALDI own-brand range of milk and dark chocolate flakes, listed in 300 g packs.
- ALDI states that the cocoa in these chocolate flakes is Rainforest Alliance certified.
- Check the label on the exact product you buy for its ingredients and allergens.
PLUS
An own-brand range of 300 g milk and dark chocolate flakes, ideal for comparing two flavours.
- PLUS states that its milk variety contains Fairtrade cocoa and lists its ingredients and allergens.
- The milk variety lists milk and lactose; check the information again on the pack you receive.
g'woon
A brand to consider if you want to serve 300 g packs of milk chocolate flakes.
- Joybuy lists g'woon milk chocolate flakes in a 300 g pack.
- The product information lists milk and wheat as allergens; use the label on the pack you buy when serving.
Products for flakes and other toppings
This selection includes chocolate flakes, chocolate chunks and chocolate sprinkles for a coffee morning. Sprinkles are not the same as flakes, so check the product type if you’re looking for a particular topping for your buffet.
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De Ruijter dark chocolate sprinkles 390 g
For anyone who wants to offer dark chocolate sprinkles as well as flakes. The pack contains 390 g; check the allergens on the packaging before putting the sprinkles in a buffet bowl.
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g'woon milk chocolate flakes 300 g
For a buffet where you’d like to serve milk chocolate flakes. The pack contains 300 g; Joybuy lists milk and wheat as allergens. Check the label on the pack you buy.
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De Ruijter chocolate chunks 390 g
For anyone considering chocolate chunks as an alternative to flakes. The product name states 390 g; check that the product type, ingredients and allergens suit your buffet.
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g'woon milk chocolate sprinkles with smileys 600 g
For anyone who wants to offer sprinkles with smileys as a separate buffet option. The pack states 600 g; don’t choose this if you specifically need chocolate flakes, and check the allergens on the pack.
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De Ruijter Flake Feast 200 g
For anyone who wants to offer a mixed flake flavour alongside a standard variety. According to the Joybuy product information, this mix contains chocolate and vanilla flakes and weighs 200 g. Check the label before serving the mix unpackaged.
Frequently asked questions
Should I look for one large pack of chocolate flakes for a big group?
No, you can also plan the quantity you need using several packs of your chosen flakes. For example, ALDI and PLUS list 300 g varieties. Do check the product type: a larger pack of sprinkles isn’t necessarily a pack of chocolate flakes.
How many flakes do I need per guest?
Work out the quantity based on how you’ll serve them and how many guests want flakes. Voedingscentrum uses 15 g of milk chocolate flakes per slice of bread as a reference for nutritional information; this isn’t a set amount for a buffet.
What should I do with allergen information if I’m serving flakes in a buffet bowl?
Keep information about any allergens available beside the buffet bowl. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says consumers must be able to find out about allergens in unpackaged food where it is served. Keep the packaging or use an allergen sign that matches the product you’re serving.
Can I keep leftover flakes after the coffee morning?
Follow the best-before date and storage instructions on the specific pack. For De Ruijter Milk Chocolate Flakes, Joybuy advises storing them in a cool, dry place and resealing the pack securely after opening. Check the condition of the pack before using it again.