Snackers who want to choose a particular flavour
Prefer milk chocolate, dark chocolate or another product type? Compare the product name and ingredients of the version you want to buy, rather than relying on the front of the pack alone.
Who might find these options useful?
Anyone serving small amounts
Individual portions can be handy for a single snack. Alternatively, transfer a small amount from a larger pack to a dry glass jar for serving, and keep the rest sealed.
Shoppers for whom allergens are a key concern
Check the current label for the exact version you’ve chosen. Product information from Jumbo, PLUS and Choca varies in its declarations for ingredients including milk, lactose, soya and wheat.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide which product type and ingredients suit you. Then choose an amount for your snack and consider how to keep the flakes dry without losing track of the packaging information.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour and ingredients | Read the product description and ingredients for the version you’ve chosen. Only compare a stated cocoa percentage if it’s clear which part of the product it refers to. | If I want a particular flavour, I want to know whether I’m serving chocolate flakes or cocoa-based confectionery flakes, and what they contain. This choice of flavour and ingredients is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Portion size and presentation | Check whether the product comes in individual portions or a larger pack, and decide how much you want to serve. | For a small evening snack, I don’t want to serve more than I need, or I may want to offer different toppings separately. Around 25% of consumers say portion size and presentation are their top priority. |
| Keeping them dry and retaining product information | For serving at the table, choose a clean, completely dry jar with a suitable lid, and keep the original packaging with the contents. | If I transfer the flakes, I want to keep moisture out and still be able to check the allergens and best-before date. This is the main consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
| Pack size | Compare the net weight with how often you expect to use the flakes; weight alone won’t tell you what size jar you need. | If I only use flakes occasionally, I don’t want to choose a larger pack than I need. This is the most important consideration for around 17% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Thinking a glass jar replaces the label
Once you’ve transferred the flakes, the ingredients, allergens, best-before date and storage instructions are no longer visible on the jar.
Keep the original packaging with the flakes, or clearly copy the relevant product information if you’ll be using the jar for longer.
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Assuming ‘dark’ or ‘vegan’ means dairy-free
PLUS’s dark chocolate flakes are labelled vegan on the product page, but may contain milk and lactose. So this claim alone doesn’t answer questions about allergens.
If you have an allergy, check the current allergen information for the exact version before choosing it.
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Treating cocoa-based confectionery flakes as chocolate flakes
PLUS describes Choca Vlokken 200 g as cocoa-based confectionery flakes. The product description and ingredients are therefore more useful for comparison than the similar shape.
Check the product type and ingredients if you’re looking for a particular chocolate flavour or formulation.
Brands to consider
De Ruijter
Product information from Jumbo and Albert Heijn includes several varieties of flakes, as well as a Kleintjes range with individual portions of different toppings.
- The Kleintjes range lets you enjoy a variety without serving all the toppings at once.
- The milk flakes listed by Jumbo contain milk, lactose and soya; check the allergens for each version.
Jumbo
According to Jumbo, its own-brand range includes 300 g packs of milk and dark chocolate flakes.
- Jumbo states that its 300 g milk chocolate flakes provide fifteen portions.
- The milk version contains milk; check the ingredients of the dark version separately.
PLUS
PLUS lists 300 g packs of milk and dark chocolate flakes, both with a Fairtrade cocoa claim on their respective product pages.
- The dark version is labelled vegan and states that it contains at least 32% cocoa solids.
- PLUS says this dark version may contain milk and lactose; check the current label if you have an allergy.
Kiekeboe
ALDI lists Kiekeboe chocolate flakes in 300 g milk and dark varieties.
- You can compare milk and dark options within this product range.
- Read the ingredients and allergens on the packaging of the version you choose.
Choca
PLUS describes Choca Vlokken 200 g as cocoa-based confectionery flakes, a product type that shouldn’t automatically be treated as chocolate flakes.
- The product description makes it clear which type of flakes you’re comparing.
- According to PLUS’s product information, this version contains wheat and soya and may contain milk.
Flakes for an evening snack
Compare these flakes by the flavour you’re looking for and the amount you want to serve. Choose a glass jar separately: check that it has enough capacity, and refer to the product packaging for the ingredients and storage instructions.
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De Ruijter Flake Feast – 200 g
Worth considering if you want to serve a selection of flakes as a topping. Check the ingredients and allergens for this version; the net weight doesn’t tell you what size jar you’ll need.
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Sprinkles Choca Flakes – 200 g
Check the product description if you’re specifically looking for chocolate flakes: cocoa-based confectionery flakes aren’t necessarily the same product type. Also check the ingredients on the pack you choose.
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Venz Tiger Flakes – 200 g
An option to consider if you want to serve a mix of flakes. Check the ingredients and allergens in the version you choose; 200 g doesn’t mean the contents are divided into individual portions.
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De Ruijter Flakes Milk – 200 g
For anyone comparing milk chocolate flakes as a topping. If you have an allergy, check the current ingredients and allergen information for this version before serving the flakes.
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De Ruijter Intense Pure Chocolate Sprinkles
For anyone considering a dark chocolate flavour as a topping. If you have a milk allergy, don’t rely on the word ‘Pure’: check the allergens on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put flakes in a glass jar for an evening snack?
Yes. For serving at the table, use a clean, completely dry jar with a suitable lid. Keep the flakes away from heat, moisture and direct sunlight, and retain the original packaging so you can check the allergens, best-before date and storage instructions.
Are dark chocolate flakes suitable if I need to avoid milk?
Not without checking the exact version. PLUS says its dark chocolate flakes may contain milk and lactose, despite being labelled vegan, so check the current allergen label.
What information should I keep with the flakes if I transfer them?
Keep the original packaging with the contents so you can check the product name, ingredients, allergens, best-before date and storage instructions. According to the European Union, this type of product information must appear on the label of prepacked foods; an unlabelled serving jar doesn’t carry that information with it.
Are individual portions available for a small snack?
Yes. According to Albert Heijn, De Ruijter Kleintjes contains eight individual portions of different toppings, including milk and dark chocolate flakes. It’s a mixed sprinkles selection, not a pack containing flakes only.