Parents starting baby-led weaning
You’re looking for a snack your baby can pick up independently and want to know whether Dutch breakfast cake suits your child’s eating stage, and whether its ingredients and texture are appropriate.
Who is this decision relevant to?
Parents considering a sweet snack for their toddler
Your child is eating family meals, but you want to distinguish an occasional treat from the snacks you offer every day. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends limiting biscuits and similar treats for young children.
Shoppers who care about Fairtrade cocoa
When choosing a product containing cocoa, you want to check whether the Fairtrade statement applies to that specific product, without confusing it with whether the product is suitable for a baby.
What should you look for when choosing?
If you’re considering Dutch breakfast cake for baby-led weaning or a young child, first assess your child’s eating stage and the product’s ingredients. Fairtrade cocoa is only relevant if the product contains cocoa.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Suitability for a baby | Check the ingredients and salt content, and make sure the texture suits your baby’s eating ability. | When my baby picks up food independently, I want the ingredients and texture to suit their stage; around 46% of consumers prioritise suitability for babies. |
| Everyday eating habits | Compare sugars and salt per 100 g, and consider the portion size and when it will be eaten. | My toddler eats with the family, but I don’t want to treat a sweet biscuit as an everyday snack; this is the main consideration for around 36% of consumers. |
| Fairtrade cocoa | Check whether cocoa is listed in the ingredients and whether the Fairtrade statement applies to this product. | When choosing a cocoa-containing variety, I want to know exactly what the Fairtrade statement refers to; around 18% of consumers prioritise verifiable cocoa sourcing. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming soft Dutch breakfast cake is suitable for babies
A soft texture doesn’t make up for the salt content. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving babies food containing salt, and the Peijnenburg Ontbijtkoek Naturel portion pack lists 0.53 g of salt per 100 g.
For a baby, choose a snack that’s suitable for their age, contains no added salt and has a texture suited to their eating ability.
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Confusing a claim about sugars with everyday suitability
A claim on the front of the pack doesn’t, by itself, tell you how much sugar and salt a variety contains or what place biscuits should have in a young child’s diet.
Read the full nutritional information. For an older child, treat Dutch breakfast cake as an occasional treat, not as a replacement for suitable everyday snacks.
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Assuming a general cocoa claim applies to every Dutch breakfast cake
According to Fairtrade International, its cocoa standards apply to cocoa. A statement about a brand’s or retailer’s other cocoa products doesn’t confirm that a particular Dutch breakfast cake is certified.
Check whether the product contains cocoa, then read the Fairtrade statement on that specific pack.
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Checking allergens only on the front of the pack
The Peijnenburg Ontbijtkoek Naturel portion pack lists rye and cereals containing gluten, and may contain traces of milk and nuts. Other varieties may have different ingredient and allergen information.
Read the current label and check the school or childcare setting’s allergen policy before packing it.
Brands compared
Peijnenburg
A Dutch breakfast cake brand with a range of varieties and portion packs.
- Peijnenburg’s range includes a wholemeal variety; compare the nutritional information for each one.
- The Ontbijtkoek Naturel portion pack lists rye and cereals containing gluten, as well as 0.53 g of salt per 100 g. Check the label again for other varieties.
Jumbo
A supermarket own-brand range of Dutch breakfast cake, with product information available for each variety.
- The product information for Jumbo Ontbijtkoek 400 g lists its ingredients, allergens and nutritional values.
- For this variety, Jumbo lists 42.8 g of sugars and 0.5 g of salt per 100 g; don’t apply these values to other Dutch breakfast cakes.
Lidl
A supermarket with own-brand products, including Dutch breakfast cake, and separate information about its cocoa sourcing.
- Lidl states that its Favorina seasonal chocolate is Fairtrade certified.
- That statement doesn’t confirm Fairtrade certification or suitability for babies for Lidl Dutch breakfast cake. Check the pack of the variety you choose.
PLUS
A supermarket providing product information for a Peijnenburg portion pack.
- The listing for Peijnenburg Ontbijtkoek Naturel Portieverpakking lets you check its ingredients, allergens and nutritional values.
- This pack lists rye and cereals containing gluten, possible traces of milk and nuts, and 0.53 g of salt per 100 g.
Related products on Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dutch breakfast cake suitable for baby-led weaning?
Regular Dutch breakfast cake isn’t a suitable everyday snack for a baby. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving babies food containing salt, while the Peijnenburg Ontbijtkoek Naturel portion pack lists 0.53 g of salt per 100 g. Choose a snack that’s suitable for your baby’s age and has an appropriate texture.
Does the advice about bread mean Dutch breakfast cake is suitable for my baby?
No, advice about bread doesn’t automatically apply to Dutch breakfast cake. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a baby aged 4 to 6 months can have a piece of bread without the crust once they’re used to tasting foods and coarser textures. Assess Dutch breakfast cake separately, based on its ingredients and texture.
How do I check for gluten and other allergens?
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the requirements for declaring allergens on prepacked foods. The Peijnenburg Ontbijtkoek Naturel portion pack lists rye and cereals containing gluten, and may contain traces of milk and nuts.
Does Fairtrade cocoa tell me whether a product is suitable for a baby?
No, a Fairtrade statement about cocoa doesn’t assess whether Dutch breakfast cake is suitable for a baby’s diet. For a product containing cocoa, check what the statement applies to, and assess salt, sugars, allergens and texture separately.
What should I consider when packing Dutch breakfast cake for school or childcare?
Check the current label and ask the school or childcare setting about its allergen policy. Also consider your child’s age and the difference between an occasional treat and an everyday snack.