For a short coffee break, choose a pack with portions you can count out. If you’re serving biscuits from platters yourself, a larger pack may be a better fit. Then check the number of biscuits, the weight, and the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variant. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) says allergen information must also be available to guests when food is served unpackaged.
You want to hand out biscuits quickly, without portioning them on the spot. For example, Jumbo lists formats of 5 × 2 and 3 × 6 pieces; check how many individually sealed portions that gives you for your serving plan.
You need enough biscuits for everyone attending. Compare the net weight and the number of biscuits or individual packs: weight alone doesn’t tell you how many portions you can serve.
You want to be able to tell guests which allergens the biscuits contain. According to the NVWA, this information is shown on the label of prepacked products. If you’re serving them unpackaged, you must inform guests in another way.
First decide whether guests will take a sealed individual pack or whether you’ll serve the biscuits on platters yourself. Then compare the quantities and check the details for the exact variant you plan to serve.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Countable portions | Check the number of biscuits and how many each sealed individual pack contains. | For a short break, I want to hand them out quickly without splitting up the biscuits on the spot. Around 31% of consumers say countable portions are their top priority. |
| Allergen information | Check the ingredients, declared allergens and warnings for the exact variant. | If guests ask about allergens, I want information about the biscuits actually being served. For around 25% of consumers, this check comes first. |
| Quantity | Compare the net weight with the number of biscuits or individual packs. | For a large group, I need to work out how many packs will provide enough biscuits. For around 25% of consumers, planning the quantity is the main consideration. |
| Serving and storage | Read the storage instructions and best-before date, and decide how you’ll handle opened packs. | When I serve biscuits on platters, I also want to know what to do with an opened pack after the break. Around 19% of consumers put serving and storage first. |
A description such as 5 × 2 or 3 × 6 gives the pack format, but it doesn’t mean every biscuit is individually wrapped. This makes a difference to what guests can take with them without you having to portion it out.
Check how many sealed units the pack contains, then plan your serving around those units.
Two packs of different weights won’t necessarily provide a similar number of portions to hand out.
Before working out how many packs you’ll need, note down the number of biscuits and individual packs as well as the net weight.
Ingredients and allergens can vary between variants. Albert Heijn lists egg, milk, cereals containing gluten and soya among the allergens in its chocolate biscuits; this doesn’t tell you anything about a different flavour or pack.
Check the label of each exact product you’re serving and make sure the allergen information is available to guests.
An item may be unavailable when you’re ready to buy, and a different pack size may provide a different number of portions.
Check availability before ordering. If you choose an alternative, recalculate the number of biscuits, individual packs and allergens.
For a format that’s easy to count out, Jumbo lists Verkade Lange Nekken Milk Chocolate as 5 × 2 pieces.
Jumbo lists Lotus Biscoff Speculoos Chocolate as 3 packs of 6 pieces.
The product details for AH Chocolate Biscuits can help you assess a specific variant.
Jumbo’s chocolate biscuit category includes packs in various weights, including 125 g, 200 g, 225 g and 300 g.
ALDI describes Biscotto chocolate biscuits as a pack of 20 pieces weighing 250 g, wrapped in pairs.
Lidl lists a range of limited-time biscuit products under the Sondey brand, available to buy in store.
These Joybuy products are suited to a conference break when you want to hand out chocolate biscuits. Use the stated quantity or weight as a starting point, and check how many sealed portions you can actually prepare before buying.
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For a break where you want to count the biscuits in advance. The product name states that there are 10 pieces; check how many sealed units you can hand out and refer to the latest allergen information.
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For anyone looking to serve milk chocolate biscuits at a coffee break. The pack states 150 g; also check how many portions it provides and the allergens listed on the packaging.
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For a coffee break where you’re considering biscuits with a dark chocolate flavour. The pack states 70 g; check the number of biscuits and the allergens before deciding how many you need.
Multiply the number of attendees by the number of biscuits you want to offer each person, then divide the total by the number of biscuits stated per pack. Round up to the next whole pack. If guests will take sealed portions themselves, also check how many each pack provides.
Yes. According to the NVWA, when food is served unpackaged, the person providing it must inform guests in another way about any allergens present. Keep the information for the exact biscuits you’re serving on the platters.
Use the product page to compare variants, but check the packaging of the exact product before serving it. Albert Heijn warns that product ingredients and allergen information can change.
Follow the storage instructions and best-before date on the exact pack. If you’re deciding in advance how many biscuits to put on platters, also check whether you can reseal an opened pack.
