Buyer for a busy breakfast buffet
Looking for a consistent chocolate flake to serve with bread and other breakfast dishes, in packaging that works well for topping up during service.
Who is this choice important for?
Team member responsible for allergen information
Needs to record the latest information for each chosen variety, including allergens such as milk, soya and wheat, and make it available to guests.
Hotel offering a choice of toppings
Wants to offer a choice of milk, dark or mixed flakes alongside a regular option for bread, yoghurt and breakfast cereals, without treating different product types as interchangeable.
What should you consider when choosing?
First decide whether you want to offer one consistent variety or more choice at the buffet. Then check the exact product type, allergen information and how the packaging will work for your day-to-day service.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Packaging and topping up | Check the pack weight and decide whether the size suits the way you replenish the buffet. | If I need to top up regularly during a busy breakfast service, I want packaging that makes this easy. For around 25% of consumers, practical use is the top priority. |
| Allergen information | Check the label for the exact variety and make sure guests can access the information. | When guests ask about ingredients, I want to be able to provide information about the product being served. For around 25% of consumers, communicating allergen information comes first. |
| Flavour and product type | Compare milk, dark and mixed varieties, and check that any alternative really is chocolate flakes. | If I’m looking for an extra option alongside the regular topping, I want a variety that suits the buffet. Around 25% of consumers put this choice first. |
| Storage and keeping product information | Follow the storage instructions and keep the packaging for the batch you’re using to hand. | If packaging is kept separately after the buffet has been replenished, I want to be able to find the storage and ingredient information again. For around 25% of consumers, this is the main thing to consider. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘dark’ or ‘vegan’ guarantees a product is allergen-free
According to the product information, the dark chocolate flakes described by PLUS as vegan may contain milk and lactose. Allergen information also varies between other varieties.
Use the label on the product actually being served to provide buffet information, and check it again when a new delivery arrives.
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Treating different types of flakes as the same product
The Choca flakes described by PLUS are not the same as chocolate flakes: the product information lists ingredients including wheat starch and palm kernel fat. They contain wheat and soya, and may contain milk.
Read the product name and ingredients before replacing one variety with another.
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Using retail packaging without considering your buffet routine
Once the flakes have been transferred to a buffet container, the product name, allergen information and storage instructions won’t necessarily be visible alongside them.
Keep the original packaging information, record which variety is in the container, and check the use-by date and storage instructions whenever you top it up.
Brands to consider
The varieties listed show the product types you can compare. Any features and allergen information apply to the specific packaging, not to the brand as a whole.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s own brand offers dark chocolate flakes in a 300 g pack.
- The dark variety described lists at least 32% cocoa solids.
- The product information lists milk and lactose. Check the current packaging when recording allergen information for the buffet.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers milk and dark chocolate flakes, as well as a duo variety.
- The 300 g milk variety described lists at least 24% cocoa solids.
- The milk variety contains milk. Check the ingredients and allergens separately for each variety you choose.
PLUS
PLUS describes 300 g packs of dark chocolate flakes with vegan and Fairtrade cocoa labels.
- The dark variety described lists at least 32% cocoa solids.
- According to the product information, these flakes may contain milk and lactose. The vegan label is no substitute for checking allergens.
ALDI / Kiekeboe
ALDI describes Kiekeboe chocolate flakes in milk and dark varieties, in 300 g packs.
- ALDI lists a Rainforest Alliance label for the varieties described.
- Check the label for the variety you choose and ask the retailer about its current range.
Lidl
Lidl describes 300 g packs of milk chocolate flakes as a store product.
- The stated pack weight makes the pack size clear.
- Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging before using this variety at the buffet.
De Ruijter
De Ruijter offers milk, dark and Royaal varieties if you want to serve a particular branded option at the buffet.
- The Royaal dark variety described lists at least 40% cocoa solids.
- Allergens vary by variety. The Royaal dark variety described contains soya and may contain milk.
Flakes and toppings on Joybuy
This selection includes De Ruijter varieties, Venz Jungle Flakes and g'woon milk chocolate flakes. Choose a product based on the topping you want and the pack weight, then check the information on the packaging delivered before using it at the buffet.
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De Ruijter Chocolate Chunks, 390 g
An option to consider if you’d like to offer chocolate pieces as a breakfast topping alongside regular chocolate flakes. Pack size: 390 g. Check the allergens and storage instructions on the label.
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De Ruijter Flakes Milk, 200 g
A milk variety for a familiar chocolate flake topping at the buffet. Pack size: 200 g. Use the allergen information on the current packaging.
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De Ruijter Flake Feast, 200 g
Worth considering if you’d like to offer a different topping alongside your regular chocolate flakes. Pack size: 200 g. Check the product type, ingredients and allergens on the label.
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Venz Jungle Flakes, 200 g
An option to consider if you’d like to add some variety to your usual chocolate flakes. Pack size: 200 g. Read the ingredients and allergen information for this variety before serving it.
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g'woon Milk Chocolate Flakes, 300 g
A milk chocolate variety to consider as a regular breakfast topping. Pack size: 300 g. Check the allergen information and storage instructions on the packaging delivered.
Frequently asked questions
Does a hotel need to provide allergen information about flakes at the breakfast buffet?
Yes. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), guests must be able to get information about allergens present in unpackaged food before buying or ordering it. If the hotel provides this information verbally, it must be clearly signposted that guests can ask for it. The information must also be available in writing or electronically to staff and NVWA inspectors.
Are vegan dark chocolate flakes automatically suitable for someone with a milk allergy?
No. The dark chocolate flakes described by PLUS as vegan are labelled as possibly containing milk and lactose. Use the allergen information on the exact, current packaging, and don’t assume a product is suitable based on the words ‘vegan’ or ‘dark’ alone.
How should you store chocolate flakes for the buffet?
Follow the instructions on the packaging for the variety you’ve chosen. The examples described say to store in a cool, dry place; Albert Heijn also specifies storing them in a dark place. Check the use-by date and keep the packaging information available when topping up a buffet container.