Who is this choice relevant to?

Organisers catering for a mixed group

You want to provide snacks that suit attendees’ stated allergies and dietary requirements. That means checking both the ingredients and any warnings on the packaging about possible traces.

People buying snacks for a small work meeting

You want to know how many portions are in a pack and how to store the rice cakes until the meeting, rather than relying on the pack weight alone.

People comparing flavours and nutritional information

You’re looking for a chocolate option and want to compare the type of coating, sugars, fibre and portion size, without making assumptions about its nutritional value just because it’s called a rice cake.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, check the ingredients and allergen warnings against the group’s requirements. Dark describes the type of chocolate, while vegan is a separate product claim. Neither means you can skip checking the current label.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Allergens and dietary requirements Ask which restrictions apply. Check both the ingredients and warnings about possible traces on the current packaging. If I’m providing snacks for attendees with different dietary requirements, I want to know whether the trace warning is also compatible with their restrictions. Around 42% of consumers would consider suitability first.
Portions and storage Check the number of portions or individual cakes per pack and the storage instructions, not just the weight. For a small meeting, I want to be able to hand out enough rice cakes without leaving an opened pack sitting around for too long. For around 33% of consumers, practical planning comes first.
Type of chocolate and nutritional information Compare the type of coating, sugars and fibre per 100 g, as well as the stated portion size. Check whether the cakes have a coating, rather than just chocolate flavour or chocolate pieces. Once the group’s dietary requirements are clear, I want to choose between dark and milk chocolate based on flavour and nutritional information. Around 25% of consumers would see this as the main consideration.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming dark chocolate or vegan automatically means a product is suitable for an allergy

    Albert Heijn says that the dark chocolate rice cakes reviewed may contain milk, lactose and sesame. According to PLUS, the Consenza vegan option reviewed may contain traces of milk, soya, nuts and sesame, among other things.

    Ask attendees which allergens they need to avoid, and keep the current packaging handy so you can check the ingredients and trace warnings.

  • Assuming a rice cake is automatically a low-sugar snack

    The chocolate coating contributes to the nutritional value. For the dark chocolate option reviewed, Albert Heijn lists 27 g of sugars per 100 g; for the milk chocolate option, it lists 32 g per 100 g.

    If the nutritional content matters, compare the information per 100 g and per portion. Offering an uncoated option alongside the chocolate one could give attendees more choice.

  • Looking only at the pack weight

    A 100 g bag and a 150 g bag won’t necessarily contain the same number of stated portions. Jumbo lists six portions for the 100 g organic dark chocolate option reviewed, and nine for the 150 g milk chocolate option.

    Plan around the number of portions or individual cakes stated on the pack, and allow for attendees who can’t eat a particular option.

    If that means having to pick up a different pack just before the meeting, it’ll cost you extra time.

  • Storing the rice cakes somewhere warm or damp

    Storage instructions vary by product. For the chocolate rice cakes reviewed, PLUS recommends storing them in a cool, dry place below 25 °C.

    Follow the instructions on the pack you buy, keep it sealed until you’re ready to serve the rice cakes, and reseal any leftovers.

Brands and own-label options to consider

Albert Heijn

The AH dark and milk chocolate rice cakes reviewed come in 150 g packs, with both options listing nine portions.

  • For the dark chocolate option, Albert Heijn lists 27 g of sugars and 6,8 g of fibre per 100 g, compared with 32 g of sugars and 2,8 g of fibre for the milk chocolate option.
  • The milk chocolate option contains milk and lactose. For the dark chocolate option, check the current pack for a warning about possible traces of milk, lactose and sesame too.

Jumbo

The products reviewed include 150 g packs of milk and dark chocolate rice cakes, as well as a 100 g organic dark chocolate option.

  • Jumbo lists nine cakes in the milk chocolate pack reviewed and six portions in the organic dark chocolate option.
  • The dark chocolate options reviewed state that they may contain milk. The milk chocolate option contains milk and may contain sesame.

Consenza

According to the product information from PLUS, the 100 g chocolate rice cakes reviewed are labelled vegan, organic, gluten-free and lactose-free.

  • These clear labels can help you choose a product that suits a plant-based or lactose-free diet.
  • According to PLUS, this option may contain traces of soya, milk, nuts and sesame. If someone has stated an allergy, check whether this warning is suitable for them.

PLUS

The PLUS option reviewed is a 150 g pack of rice cakes coated in milk chocolate.

  • PLUS states that this option contains 60% milk chocolate and 31,7 g of sugars per 100 g.
  • This option contains milk and lactose. Check the current packaging for the ingredients and allergens before serving it to the group.

Goud-Gebakken / ALDI

ALDI Nederland lists rice cakes with yoghurt, milk or dark chocolate in 150 g packs.

  • These options give you a choice of coating, if the pack you’re looking for is available in store.
  • If anyone in the group has stated an allergy, read the ingredients and allergen warnings on the specific pack before choosing an option.

Chocolate rice cakes at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are chocolate rice cakes always gluten-free?

No. Check the label on the product you’re planning to serve. The AH options reviewed are labelled gluten-free; for the Consenza option reviewed, PLUS states that it is gluten-free, with a product specification of less than 20 ppm.

Can I serve dark chocolate rice cakes if someone avoids milk?

Not without checking the label: dark chocolate doesn’t mean a product is free from milk or possible traces of milk. The dark chocolate options reviewed from Albert Heijn and Jumbo carry a warning about possible milk traces. Ask the attendee concerned which products are suitable for them.

How do I work out how many packs I need for a small meeting?

Start with the number of portions or individual cakes listed on the pack, and the number of attendees who can eat that option. Albert Heijn and Jumbo list nine portions for the milk chocolate packs reviewed; the organic dark chocolate Jumbo option reviewed contains six portions.

How should I store chocolate rice cakes until the meeting?

Follow the storage instructions on the pack you buy, and keep the rice cakes dry and away from heat. For the option reviewed, PLUS recommends storing it below 25 °C; reseal an opened pack.