If you specifically want a chocolate-topped cracker with your afternoon coffee, choose a product described as a cracker or oat cracker. For example, Albert Heijn lists AH Havercracker chocolade. A chocolate biscuit is only a suitable alternative if you’re happy to go without a cracker. Then check the ingredients, nutritional information and any allergen information on the packaging.
You want something crunchy with chocolate to enjoy with your coffee, but not a chocolate biscuit. The product name and shop category can help you tell the difference; Jumbo lists crackers and chocolate biscuits separately.
You want to compare the ingredients and nutritional information of different products. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing labels if you want to keep an eye on sugar, salt or saturated fat.
Your choice depends on the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses the importance of accurate labelling to help prevent allergic reactions.
First decide whether having a cracker matters more to you than having a biscuit-style snack. Then compare the labels of products that fit your choice.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Cracker or biscuit | Read the product name and check whether it is sold as a cracker, oat cracker or biscuit. | If I want a cracker with my coffee, a chocolate biscuit won’t necessarily fit the bill. For around 40% of shoppers, the product type would be their top priority. |
| Ingredients and nutrition | Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and, where provided, per portion; also read the ingredients list. | If I eat this snack regularly, I want to compare the sugar and saturated fat content of similar products. For around 40% of shoppers, the ingredients and nutritional content would come first. |
| Allergens | Check the allergen information and any warnings on the current packaging of the exact product. | If I have an allergy or intolerance, I can only choose after reading the product label. For around 20% of shoppers, allergen suitability would be the deciding factor. |
Jumbo lists crackers and chocolate biscuits in separate categories. So a biscuit won’t automatically meet your need for a cracker base.
Decide which product type you’re looking for first, then check the exact name on the packaging.
A brand or shop may stock crackers, but that doesn’t tell you anything about the ingredients of a particular chocolate product.
Check the product type, ingredients and allergen information for the item you want to buy.
Any Nutri-Score shown doesn’t replace the ingredients list or allergen information. According to the RIVM, factors including sugar, saturated fat and salt contribute to the score; it won’t tell you whether a product meets your specific requirements for product type or allergens.
Read the nutritional information and the full label too. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing labels if you want to keep an eye on specific nutritional values.
Albert Heijn lists a product called AH Havercracker chocolade.
Jumbo lists crackers and chocolate biscuits in separate shop categories.
Bolletje sells a range of crackers.
ALDI Netherlands lists items including SUN SNACKS Melba toast under rusks, toast and crackers.
Lidl lists crackers and rusks as part of its breakfast range.
Check the exact product name and shop category: Albert Heijn lists AH Havercracker chocolade, while Jumbo lists crackers and chocolate biscuits separately. Choose a biscuit only if you’re not specifically looking for a cracker.
Where possible, compare the same type of product and check the sugar, saturated fat and salt values on the same basis, for example per 100 g. Also look at the portion size and ingredients list; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing labels if you want to keep an eye on these nutritional values.
Read the allergen information and any warnings on the current packaging of the exact product. Don’t rely solely on the brand name, product category or an image.
