If you’re taking something sweet along for yourself at lunchtime, a small pack of chocolate biscuits or a pack with individually portioned treats is usually more practical than a box of chocolates. A box of chocolates is better suited to giving or sharing. In either case, compare the portion size, nutritional information and allergens on the packaging you’re buying.
A small pack or a pack of individually portioned biscuits is handy as an addition to a packed lunch. ALDI, for example, lists chocolate biscuits packed in pairs. For other products, check whether the biscuits are actually individually portioned.
The ingredients and allergen information on the pack you choose matter more than the product name alone. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains which allergens must be listed on food labels. Even with a biscuit labelled gluten-free, other ingredients and allergens are still relevant.
For a colleague, a visitor or a shared lunch break, an assortment or gift box may be a better fit than a pack for one person. Albert Heijn offers chocolate gifts as a separate product category. If you’re sharing, check the allergen information for everyone who’ll be eating them.
First decide whether it’s for one lunch on the go, a moment to share or a gift. Then compare the packaging and the information per portion.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Taking it with you and portions | Check the number of biscuits or portions, and whether the biscuits are packed individually or in pairs. | When I put something sweet in my bag, I don’t want to take the whole box. For around 34% of consumers, an easy-to-carry portion comes first. |
| Nutritional information | Compare the nutritional values per portion and per 100 g, paying particular attention to sugars, saturated fats and fibre. | If I want a biscuit alongside lunch, I want to know what that portion contains. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this consideration. |
| Allergens and dietary requirements | Read the current ingredients list, highlighted allergens and any warnings about the possible presence of allergens. | If I need to avoid an ingredient, the pack I’m buying should give me a clear answer. Around 20% of consumers put this check first. |
| Giving or sharing | Compare a gift box or assortment with a pack for one person. If you’re sharing, check the information for every product in the box. | For a shared lunch, I want something I can put out or give as a gift. For around 13% of consumers, giving or sharing is the main reason for choosing a product. |
A box designed for giving or sharing isn’t necessarily convenient to take with you as a set portion.
Choose according to the occasion: look for small or portioned packs for eating on the go, and consider the contents and presentation of the box when buying a gift.
The product name or claims on the front don’t tell you the nutritional value of a portion or which allergens it contains.
Read the ingredients and nutritional information. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends checking the back of the pack when choosing snacks, too.
A chocolate biscuit labelled gluten-free may contain other allergens. For example, the product information for Verkade GV Oaties milk chocolate lists milk and soya.
Check each relevant dietary claim separately, alongside the full ingredients list and allergen information on the current pack.
Ingredients and nutritional information can change. Albert Heijn notes on its product information that dietary and allergy details may also change.
Use the product page to compare options in advance, then read the label on the pack you’ve actually bought before eating it.
Among the products reviewed, you’ll find both a chocolate-and-biscuit combination and a pack of chocolate biscuits with stated portions.
According to Lotus Bakeries Nederland, the chocolate version of the speculoos biscuit reviewed is packed as 3 × 7 pieces.
A useful point of comparison for both packs of chocolate biscuits and individual chocolate gifts.
A useful point of comparison if you’re looking for a larger pack of biscuits with stated portions.
A pack to consider if you’d like to divide a supply at home between several trips out.
A more compact pack to compare with other chocolate biscuits.
This selection includes chocolate biscuits and small chocolate snacks to take with you, alongside a box of chocolates for giving or sharing. The wafer and the box of chocolates aren’t chocolate biscuits, so focus on which type of pack best suits your plans.
Image unavailable
A chocolate biscuit to consider as a sweet addition to your lunch. The pack contains 150 g. If you have an allergy, check the current label: the product information lists milk, wheat and soya, and warns that nuts may be present. If it matters to your choice, compare the nutritional values per portion on the pack.
Image unavailable
An option if you’re looking for a chocolate and biscuit snack with pistachio to take with you. The product name lists ten pieces of 12,5 g each. Before buying, check the full ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on the pack, especially if pistachio or other ingredients are a concern for you.
Image unavailable
A box of chocolates to consider if you want to give or share something, rather than if you’re specifically looking for chocolate biscuits. The pack contains 125 g. If you’re sharing, check the current allergen information for everyone who’ll be eating them. The product information lists milk, nuts, soya and wheat, among other ingredients.
Image unavailable
An oat biscuit with milk chocolate to compare if you’re looking for a gluten-free labelled option. The pack contains 150 g. Joybuy describes this product as gluten-free; check that claim on the current label and read the information about other allergens. The product information lists milk, oats and soya, and warns that nuts may be present. If you want to take biscuits individually, check how they’re portioned, too.
Image unavailable
A chocolate and strawberry wafer if you’d rather take a small snack than a biscuit or a gift box. The product name lists nine pieces and a total weight of 104,4 g. For allergen information and nutritional values per piece, read the current packaging; the product information lists wheat, milk and soya.
Think of them as something sweet to have alongside your lunch, rather than relying on the ‘snack’ label alone. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that snacks can vary widely in energy, sugars and saturated fats, among other things. Nutritional information per portion helps you compare products.
Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product you’re buying. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains which allergens must be listed on the label. Product information from Lotus Bakeries Nederland and Verkade shows that wheat, milk and soya may be relevant, alongside warnings about the possible presence of other allergens.
Use the online page to narrow down your options, then check the pack you’ve actually bought before eating it. Albert Heijn notes that ingredients, nutritional and allergy information can change when products are updated.
A box of chocolates is best if you want to give something or share it at lunchtime. For one portion to take with you, a small pack or a pack of pre-portioned biscuits may be more convenient. ALDI, for example, lists chocolate biscuits packed in pairs, while Albert Heijn features gift boxes in its chocolate gifts category.
