A standard squeeze bottle is not a proven choice for dry chocolate flakes: the flakes we looked at come in shaker packs, while Bakgoed.nl describes its squeeze bottle as suitable for melted chocolate and other liquids. Choose a resealable box if attendees will help themselves and someone can close the pack afterwards; individual portions are better if you want to hand one to each person. Whichever option you choose, check the label of the specific product for allergen information.
If you want to put out dry flakes for people to help themselves, look for a pack they can sprinkle from and you can close again afterwards. A squeeze bottle for liquid chocolate is not automatically suitable for dry flakes.
When several people are attending, it’s important to keep the label for the product you’re serving available. According to product information from Albert Heijn and PLUS, the milk, lactose and soya declarations vary between chocolate flake products.
You could consider a box for sharing, or individual portions if you want to hand one to each person. Albert Heijn lists a De Ruijter pack containing 80 portions of 15 g. Decide in advance how many people you need to cater for, and check whether the pack you’ve chosen is available.
When to choose it: attendees will sprinkle dry flakes themselves and someone can close the box afterwards.
Trade-off: several people use the same pack, and the amount per person isn’t set in advance.
When to choose them: you want to give each attendee their own portion without passing around a shared box.
Trade-off: check current availability and the label; Albert Heijn lists the De Ruijter small pack we looked at as available in-store only.
When to choose it: you want to serve a liquid topping suitable for the bottle you’ve chosen, rather than dry flakes.
Trade-off: you’ll be changing the topping. Bakgoed.nl describes its squeeze bottle as suitable for melted chocolate and other liquids, not specifically for dry flakes.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Practical serving | Check how the dry shaker pack closes. If you’re considering another dispenser, check that it’s specifically suitable for dry flakes. | For self-service, I want attendees to be able to sprinkle easily without using an unsuitable squeeze bottle. Practical serving would be the main priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Allergen information | Read the current label on the exact product and keep the information available when you put the flakes out. | If colleagues avoid certain ingredients, I want them to be able to see which product is being served. Clear information would come first for around 33% of consumers. |
| Quantity and portions | Compare the net weight with the number of attendees; Albert Heijn also lists a pack of 80 individual portions of 15 g. | For a group, I want to be able to work out in advance how many flakes to put out per person. Portion size would be the first consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
A bottle for melted chocolate is not automatically suitable for dry chocolate flakes. Bakgoed.nl’s product description says its squeeze bottle is for liquids.
Use a shaker pack or individual portions for dry flakes. If you want to use another dispenser, check explicitly that it’s designed for dry flakes.
According to Albert Heijn, the De Ruijter dark chocolate product we looked at contains soya and may contain milk. The label on the PLUS dark chocolate product we looked at says that it may contain milk and lactose.
Check the allergen information on the exact pack, and keep it visible next to the flakes you’re serving.
A shared pack can easily be left open during self-service. For the packs we looked at, De Ruijter advises storing them in a cool, dry place and pressing them closed after use.
Agree on who will close and replenish the pack. If a business or professional food provider serves unpackaged flakes, also bear in mind the allergen information provided by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority.
Chocolate flakes in milk, dark and Royaal varieties, among others. Boxes are available for sharing, while the milk chocolate variety also comes in individual portions.
A retailer selling De Ruijter chocolate flakes in a box, as well as a small pack containing 80 portions of 15 g.
A retailer selling Jumbo milk and dark chocolate flakes in 300 g packs, alongside other brands and varieties.
ALDI lists Kiekeboe milk or dark chocolate flakes in a 300 g pack.
PLUS lists dark chocolate flakes in a 300 g box.
A retailer listing a 300 g pack of milk chocolate flakes.
Don’t assume that a squeeze bottle for chocolate will be suitable: Bakgoed.nl describes the bottle we looked at as suitable for melted chocolate and other liquids. For dry flakes, you can use a shaker pack or individual portions. If you’re considering another dispenser, check that it’s specifically suitable for dry contents.
Check the label on the exact product for the ingredients and allergens that matter to your attendees. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, the De Ruijter milk chocolate variety we looked at contains milk, lactose and soya; the dark variety contains soya and may contain milk. PLUS says that its dark variety we looked at may contain milk and lactose.
According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, businesses and professional providers of unpackaged food must inform consumers about any allergens present. If you’re organising an internal work meeting, establish the provider’s role before drawing any legal conclusions; in any case, keep the information from the pack you’ve chosen available for attendees.
Close the box after use and store the flakes in a cool, dry place, as De Ruijter advises for the packs we looked at. Don’t leave a box open unnecessarily during self-service, and follow the instructions on the pack you’re using.
Yes. Albert Heijn lists a De Ruijter milk chocolate variety with 80 portions of 15 g. The shop page we looked at says this pack is available in-store only; check current availability and the label before planning how to serve it.
