Who is this choice relevant to?

Christmas market traders handing out portions

If you want to give every visitor a sealed portion, look for the explicit wording ‘individually wrapped’. Also check how many pieces are in the pack so you can plan how many to hand out.

Organisers providing allergen information

If you don’t know in advance which allergens visitors need to avoid, make sure the information for the variant you choose is easy to access. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) says that allergen information for prepacked products must appear on the label.

Buyers comparing ingredients

If you also want to take the type of grain, fibre or salt into account, compare the nutritional information for the exact variants. Check the ingredients and allergens too: the brand name alone won’t tell you what’s in a particular pack.

What should you look for?

Individually wrapped

Choose this when: every Christmas market visitor needs to receive a portion that is still sealed.

Bear in mind: even with individual portions, check the label, allergen information and best-before date.

Standard bulk pack

Consider this when: individually sealed portions aren’t needed, for example when serving from a counter.

The difference: once opened, a bulk pack doesn’t provide a pre-sealed portion for each visitor.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Sealed portion Look for ‘individually wrapped’ and check how many separate pieces are included. If I’m handing a portion straight to visitors, I don’t want to keep taking crispbread from an opened bag. For around 46% of consumers, a sealed portion is the priority.
Label and best-before date Check the allergen information and make sure the best-before date for the variant you’ve bought is easy to read. When serving visitors with different allergen requirements, I want to be able to check the product information before handing it out. Around 36% of consumers give this check top priority.
Ingredients and nutritional value Compare the ingredients list and nutritional information for the exact variants, using values on the same basis, for example per 100 g. Once I’ve decided how to serve it, I want to choose the type of grain and nutritional profile that suit what I’m offering. Around 18% of consumers put this consideration first.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a standard bag contains individually wrapped portions

    A bulk pack may contain several pieces without each one being wrapped separately. So it won’t necessarily meet the need to give every visitor a sealed portion.

    Check that the exact variant is labelled ‘individually wrapped’ and see how many separate pieces you’ll receive.

  • Assuming the wrapper provides all the allergen information

    Individual wrapping doesn’t make information about ingredients and allergens unnecessary. The NVWA says allergen information for prepacked products must appear on the label.

    Keep the labelling for the variant you’ve bought available when handing it out, and check that it matches the product you’re serving.

  • Assuming the product contains iodine because it mentions baker’s salt

    A general rule or explanation about iodised baker’s salt doesn’t mean that every type of crispbread contains it. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that baking with baker’s salt isn’t compulsory.

    Don’t make claims about iodine in a particular variant without checking that product’s ingredients information.

Brands to consider

Bolletje

When handing out portions to individual visitors, the packaging is what matters most. Albert Heijn explicitly lists Bolletje Knackebrod sesame as individually wrapped, with 72 pieces.

  • The ‘individually wrapped’ label makes it clear which sesame variant to compare.
  • Check the current label and packaging of the batch you’re actually buying.

Wasa

Wasa is worth considering if you want to compare the ingredients and nutritional information of a specific variant as well as its packaging.

  • Albert Heijn provides product information for varieties including Wasa Wholegrain and Wasa Protein+.
  • This information doesn’t show that these two varieties are individually wrapped. Check the packaging and allergens for the variant you choose.

Leksands

Leksands offers another type of packaging to consider if a sealed portion for each visitor isn’t essential. The manufacturer lists a round 830 g pack.

  • A bulk pack is an option to consider if you’re serving from a counter.
  • The 830 g pack doesn’t prove that the pieces are individually wrapped.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does crispbread for a Christmas market always have to be individually wrapped?

No, individual wrapping is most relevant if every visitor needs their own sealed portion. If you’re serving from an opened pack, make sure visitors can still access the allergen information for the product on offer.

What information should I check before handing it out?

Check the ingredients, allergens and best-before date for the exact variant, and read any storage instructions. The NVWA says allergen information for prepacked products must appear on the label, so keep the relevant labelling with your stock.

Is a best-before date that falls after the Christmas market enough?

No. Also check that the date is easy to read, the packaging is intact and the product has been stored as instructed. A later date alone won’t tell you what condition the batch is in on the day you hand it out.

Does all crispbread contain iodine because it’s made with iodised baker’s salt?

No, you can’t assume that for every variant. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that using baker’s salt isn’t compulsory. Check the ingredients information for the crispbread before making a claim about it.