Choose an individually wrapped biscuit bar if every attendee needs a snack they can enjoy on its own; a small individually wrapped biscuit is a better option alongside coffee or tea. A packet containing two biscuits is a different portion, so count both the packets and the biscuits before planning how many to hand out. Check the allergen information for your chosen products, especially if you plan to serve them without their packaging.
If you want to give every attendee one snack, consider an individually wrapped biscuit bar. The LU Time Out Cookie Bars described by Joybuy are individually wrapped; a small coffee biscuit serves a different purpose.
When serving a large group, the key considerations are the number of individual portions and the portion size you want. Albert Heijn describes a box of 300 individually wrapped Lotus biscuits; Jumbo describes an Elite mix with 120 individually wrapped biscuits.
At a buffet where products are served without individual packaging, guests need clear information about the allergens in each item. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must also be available for food sold loose.
First decide whether your break calls for a snack in its own right, a packet containing two biscuits or a small biscuit to enjoy with a drink. Then check how many portions each pack provides and how you will share allergen information with guests.
Best for: a break where every attendee gets one snack they can enjoy on its own; Joybuy describes LU Time Out Cookie Bars as individually wrapped.
Check: the allergens for the exact variety. The LU bar described contains wheat, milk and soya, and may contain egg.
Best for: serving two biscuits per attendee as the intended portion. According to Joybuy, LU Time Out Natural comes in six individual packets, each containing two biscuits.
Check: one packet is not the same as one biscuit bar or a single loose biscuit.
Best for: a modest biscuit to serve with coffee or tea. Albert Heijn describes its box of 300 individually wrapped Lotus biscuits as suitable for catering.
Check: this type of biscuit does not serve the same purpose as a biscuit bar intended as a snack in its own right.
| Consideration | What to check before buying | Who should consider this most? |
|---|---|---|
| Snack in its own right | Check that each bar is individually wrapped and how many bars are in the pack you choose. | I want to give every attendee a proper break-time snack, not just a biscuit with their coffee. For around 31% of consumers, a snack in its own right matters most. |
| Quick to hand out | Count the individual portions and check how many biscuits each packet contains. | During a short break, I want to hand out packets quickly without having to put portions together myself. This is also the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Allergen information | Check the latest ingredient and allergen information for each product; if you have a mix, keep the varieties clearly distinguishable. | If guests can choose between different biscuits, I want to provide the right allergen information for each product. This is the top priority for around 23% of consumers. |
| Portion planning | Compare the number of packets with the number of biscuits or bars in each pack. | I want to know in advance whether one serving consists of one biscuit, two biscuits or a bar. For around 15% of consumers, portion planning is the deciding factor. |
According to Joybuy, each packet of LU Time Out Natural contains two biscuits. Jumbo also describes a Lotus Biscoff XL pack with two biscuits per packet. So the number of packets is not always the same as the number of biscuits.
First count the individual packets you plan to hand out, then decide whether the contents of one packet are the right portion for each guest.
Individually wrapped biscuit bars can still contain allergens. If you remove products from their packaging and serve them loose, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says guests must have access to information about the allergens they contain.
Keep the latest product information available where you serve the food. If you offer products loose, make it clear which information applies to each one. Follow the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority’s requirements if you provide the information verbally.
The Elite Coffee Time mix described by Jumbo contains four varieties of individually wrapped biscuits. Different varieties may contain different ingredients and allergens.
Check the information for each variety and make sure guests can tell them apart when they are served.
The speculoos packs described are worth considering if you want to serve a small biscuit with coffee or tea.
The LU products described offer two different serving options: an individually wrapped Cookie Bar and a packet of Time Out Natural containing two biscuits.
The Coffee Time mix described by Jumbo is an option if you want to offer a selection of biscuits with coffee or tea.
Lidl Netherlands presents Sondey as a range that includes biscuits, crackers, wafers and bars.
The Koekhappers described by ALDI Netherlands are worth considering if a soft cake suits your catering plans.
Yes. In the Netherlands, information about allergens present must be available when you offer food to consumers. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, this also applies to food sold loose; there are specific requirements for providing information verbally.
No. Individual packaging tells you nothing about the allergens in the bar. The LU Time Out Cookie Bars described by Joybuy contain wheat, milk and soya, and may contain egg; check the latest information for the exact variety before serving it.
Count the individual packs you plan to hand out, not just the biscuits inside them. According to Albert Heijn, the Lotus box described contains 300 individually wrapped biscuits; according to Joybuy, LU Time Out Natural comes in six packets, each containing two biscuits.
Follow the storage instructions for the variety you choose. For the LU Time Out Cookie Bars described, Joybuy recommends a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, heat and moisture. Check the packaging before handing out the bars.
