Hotel buyers who want to specify dark chocolate
A stated percentage of dark chocolate or cocoa mass is more useful to them than a dark appearance alone. However, this does not confirm that the spritz biscuit has a high overall cocoa content.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Buffet teams responsible for allergen information
Once spritz biscuits are taken out of their packaging and placed on the buffet, guests must be able to find out which allergens they contain before choosing. The team needs to make sure that the information matches the product actually being served.
Buyers who also compare nutritional values
If you take sugars, saturated fat and salt into account, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing nutritional information per 100 g. Values per serving are less useful when manufacturers use different serving sizes.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the chocolate component you want, then check that the allergen information and nutritional values suit the way you plan to serve the spritz biscuits.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Dark chocolate or cocoa | Read the product description and ingredients list. If you require a specific total cocoa content, ask for a product specification for the whole biscuit. | I want to offer a spritz biscuit with a clearly stated dark chocolate component, rather than relying on a dark coating. For around 42% of consumers, the chocolate component is the top priority. |
| Allergens on the buffet | Check the allergens for the exact variant and make sure the information is kept up to date whenever the product changes. | If I serve biscuits unpackaged, the information for guests must match what is on the buffet. For around 33% of consumers, allergen information is the top priority. |
| Nutritional values and presentation | Compare sugars, saturated fat and salt per 100 g; also check the storage instructions for the pack you choose. | I want to compare nutritional values and serve the spritz biscuits according to the storage instructions. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this combination. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a dark biscuit has a high cocoa content
Jumbo lists 0.3% low-fat cocoa powder for Lunetta Spritsen met Cacao en Glazuur. The name and appearance do not prove that the whole biscuit has a high cocoa content.
Only describe a buffet option as a dark chocolate spritz biscuit if the product information supports this. Only make a claim about its total cocoa content if you have a product specification for that specific biscuit.
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Removing the packaging without updating the allergen information
Chocolate spritz biscuits can contain different allergens. For unpackaged foods, guests must be able to find out which allergens are present at the point where the product is offered, according to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority.
Make sure the buffet label or information sheet relates to the exact product variant. Check it again if you use a different pack, recipe or supplier.
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Comparing values per serving only
Serving sizes can vary between manufacturers, so nutritional values per serving do not provide a consistent basis for comparison.
First compare similar spritz biscuits per 100 g, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Then decide how much you want to offer on the buffet.
Brands and product ranges compared
PLUS
According to PLUS, PLUS Chocolade sprits Fairtrade Per Tray 200 g is a spritz biscuit made with 18% dark chocolate.
- The percentage of dark chocolate is stated, and the ingredients also include cocoa mass.
- This is not the total cocoa percentage of the biscuit. The listed allergens include wheat, egg, soya and milk.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn describes AH Choco spritsen as butter spritz biscuits with 15% dark chocolate.
- The percentage of dark chocolate gives you a specific point of reference when choosing a product.
- It is not the total cocoa percentage of the biscuit. The product information lists milk, cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat, among other ingredients.
Jumbo
Jumbo Lunetta Spritsen met Cacao en Glazuur 200 g is a spritz biscuit variant with a 10% coating.
- Jumbo lists the coating, ingredients and nutritional values.
- The ingredients include 0.3% low-fat cocoa powder, which does not support positioning this as a high-cocoa spritz biscuit. The product contains gluten, milk and soya, among other ingredients.
Verkade
Verkade NoboSprits Melk is a milk chocolate variant; Verkade lists a 15% milk chocolate layer.
- The manufacturer publishes the ingredients and nutritional values for this variant.
- Milk chocolate does not make this a dark chocolate variant. If you serve it on the buffet, check the allergen information on the packaging.
Biscotto (ALDI)
ALDI lists Biscotto roombotersprits as a plain variant or a chocolate variant.
- A chocolate variant is listed as an option.
- Before presenting this variant as a dark spritz biscuit, check its current ingredients, allergens and chocolate or cocoa specifications.
Related products on Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to provide allergen information if I unpack spritz biscuits for the hotel breakfast buffet?
Yes. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, guests must be able to find out which allergens are present at the point where unpackaged food is offered. For cereals containing gluten and nuts, you must specify which cereals or nuts are involved. Verbal information is only permitted under the applicable conditions.
Does ‘choco’ or ‘cocoa’ mean a spritz biscuit contains a lot of cocoa?
No. A name or dark appearance does not prove a high total cocoa content. PLUS lists 18% dark chocolate in its Chocolade sprits, Albert Heijn lists 15% in AH Choco spritsen, and Jumbo lists 0.3% low-fat cocoa powder in Lunetta Spritsen met Cacao en Glazuur. These different figures do not measure the total cocoa content of the biscuits as a whole.
How do I compare the nutritional value of chocolate spritz biscuits?
Compare similar products per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, this provides a more useful basis for comparing sugars, saturated fat and salt, among other things, than relying only on the serving sizes chosen by manufacturers.
What should I consider when storing and replenishing spritz biscuits on the buffet?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging for the variant you choose; Albert Heijn and PLUS recommend storing the chocolate spritz biscuits mentioned above in a cool, dry place away from light. When replenishing the buffet, make sure the product still matches the allergen information, so the label and the spritz biscuits being served remain consistent.