For a sandwich to take with you for lunch, chocolate flakes are a bread topping; if you’re looking for a gift, a box of chocolates is a better fit. For flakes, check the ingredients, allergens and storage instructions for the variety you choose. Assess a box of chocolates separately, based on its contents and packaging.
If you make a sandwich to take with you, you can choose from different flavours and pack sizes of chocolate flakes. Jumbo classifies the flakes it has reviewed as sweet sandwich toppings; the product pages also include storage advice.
If you need to avoid certain ingredients, you’ll need information about the exact variety you’re choosing. The flakes described by Jumbo and PLUS differ in the allergens and potential traces listed in their product information.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| For a topping or a gift | Check whether you’re buying chocolate flakes as a bread topping or a separate box of chocolates as a gift. | If I want to make a sandwich to take with me, I look for flakes; for a gift, I look for a box of chocolates. Around 42% of consumers put intended use first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients list, declared allergens and any warnings such as ‘may contain’ on the packaging you’ve chosen. | If I have an allergy or dietary requirement, I want to know what the label says about this particular variety. For around 33% of consumers, this check is the top priority. |
| Packaging and storage | Compare the net weight with how much you’ll use, and follow the storage instructions on the pack, including when taking it with you. | If you use flakes for a packed lunch, you’ll want to take a suitable amount with you and keep them dry. Around 25% of consumers prioritise packaging and storage. |
Flakes are a topping to sprinkle on foods such as bread; a box of chocolates serves a different purpose. The two types of packaging therefore don’t answer the same buying need.
Decide whether you want to make your own lunch or are looking for chocolate as a gift, then compare products within that category.
The dark chocolate flakes described by PLUS carry a vegan label, but the product information also says ‘may contain milk and lactose’.
For the variety you choose, read both the ingredients list and the warnings on the current packaging. Don’t rely solely on the name or the label on the front.
The Jumbo and PLUS product pages reviewed recommend storing chocolate flakes in a cool, dry place. This matters if the pack will be in a bag for a while, too.
Take only what you need in a suitable resealable container and store the rest according to the instructions on the pack.
A brand to consider if you want to choose between different chocolate flake flavours.
Worth considering if you’re thinking of a mix of chocolate and vanilla flakes with shapes.
An option if you’re looking for a mix of cocoa- and vanilla-flavoured flakes.
Worth considering if you want to look at dark chocolate flakes with a Fairtrade cocoa label.
No, chocolate flakes are a bread topping, not a ready-made lunch. Take some bread or another base with you if you want to use them at lunchtime.
Check the allergen information in the ingredients list and any warnings on the current packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that mandatory labelling covers 14 allergens; which of these are relevant to you depends on the product.
No, that label doesn’t rule out a warning about possible traces. The dark chocolate flakes described by PLUS are labelled vegan, but also state ‘may contain milk and lactose’. So check the warning on the packaging you choose.
Follow the instructions on the pack for the variety you’ve chosen. The Jumbo and PLUS product pages reviewed recommend storing the flakes in a cool, dry place. For taking them with you, use a resealable container and check the best-before date on the pack, too.
