Who is this comparison for?

Parents keeping an eye on total sugars

For anyone who sets their own limit per 100 g and wants to know how much sugar a Dutch breakfast cake contains, regardless of its name or the claim on the front of the pack.

Shoppers looking for a portion for the school bag

For anyone who considers the weight of a slice and individual packaging, as well as the nutritional information per portion.

Families checking ingredients and allergens

For anyone whose choice depends on whether a particular pack contains rye, other allergens or sweeteners.

What should you look for in Dutch breakfast cake for school?

If the amount of sugar will determine your choice, start with the nutritional information per 100 g. Then check the portion size and the ingredients of the pack you’re actually planning to take.

What to consider What to check Who is this most important to?
Total sugars Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. Distinguish between this figure, added sugars and a relative ‘less sugar’ claim. If I stick to a limit for total sugars, I don’t want to rely on a ‘zero’ name. Around 46% of consumers give total sugars the highest priority.
Portion and fibre Check whether the slices are individually wrapped, how much one slice weighs and what the nutritional information says per portion. A pre-portioned slice is handy if I want to pack Dutch breakfast cake without having to divide it up, and compare the fibre content too. Around 27% of consumers give portion size and fibre the greatest weight.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current ingredients list and allergen information. Also check the school’s rules on food brought from home. If rye, another allergen or a sweetener is a concern for my child, I need to be able to check the chosen pack. Ingredients and allergens are the top priority for around 27% of consumers.

Common mistakes when choosing

  • Assuming ‘zero’ means no sugars

    Peijnenburg Nature with no added sugars and AH Ontbijtkoek zero both list 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g. So the product name doesn’t tell you how much total sugar it contains.

    Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g with the limit that matters for your purchase.

  • Judging ‘less sugar’ without checking the comparison

    Jumbo says its Ontbijtkoek Minder Suiker 6 Stuks contains at least 30% less sugar than its own plain breakfast cake bar, but it also lists 22.7 g of sugars per 100 g.

    For a relative claim, check both the product it’s compared with and the nutritional information for the bar itself.

  • Overlooking the allergen information

    The Peijnenburg variety mentioned contains rye. The individually wrapped 8-pack also carries a warning that it may contain milk, hazelnuts, almonds and other cereals containing gluten.

    Check the current packaging before packing a slice, and ask about the school’s rules if necessary.

  • Focusing only on the sugar claim

    The Peijnenburg and Albert Heijn varieties mentioned use xylitol; their packaging warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

    As well as the sugar content, check the ingredients and the size of one portion.

Brands and product ranges compared

For these brands, always compare the specific variety of Dutch breakfast cake. A name such as ‘zero’ or ‘less sugar’ is no substitute for the nutritional information on the pack.

Peijnenburg

Offers Dutch breakfast cake with no added sugars in sliced and individually wrapped formats.

  • The sliced Nature variety with no added sugars contains nine slices and lists 4.9 g of sugars and 17 g of fibre per 100 g. The 8-pack contains eight individually wrapped 28 g slices.
  • The plain variety contains rye and xylitol; the 8-pack may also contain milk, hazelnuts, almonds and other cereals containing gluten.

Albert Heijn

Sliced AH Ontbijtkoek zero is an option if you want to compare the sugar claim on a pre-sliced Dutch breakfast cake.

  • This variety lists 4.9 g of sugars, 16 g of fibre and 22 g of polyols per 100 g.
  • ‘Zero’ doesn’t mean zero total sugars here. The variety lists rye and cereals containing gluten, and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

Jumbo

Jumbo Ontbijtkoek Minder Suiker 6 Stuks is worth considering if you want to compare a relative sugar claim with the nutritional information.

  • According to Jumbo, this bar contains at least 30% less sugar than its plain Dutch breakfast cake bar.
  • The bar lists 22.7 g of sugars per 100 g and contains ingredients including sugar, glucose-fructose syrup, rye and wheat.

Koek & Bakker (ALDI)

ALDI describes its 485 g pre-sliced Ontbijtkoek Zero as having no added sugars.

  • The pre-sliced format means you can pack a slice separately.
  • Before deciding whether this variety meets your requirements, check the total sugars, ingredients and allergens on the pack.

Lidl

Lidl lists a 485 g Ontbijtkoek zero and breakfast cake bars labelled ‘less sugar’.

  • These labels make it clear which varieties you can compare.
  • For each pack you’re considering, check the sugars per 100 g, ingredients and allergens. The labels alone don’t tell you this.

Dutch breakfast cake on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘no added sugars’ mean the same as sugar-free?

No: ‘no added sugars’ means something different from the total sugars listed under ‘of which sugars’. Peijnenburg Nature with no added sugars and AH Ontbijtkoek zero both list 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g. Check this figure if you stick to a limit for total sugars.

Are the Dutch breakfast cakes mentioned suitable if gluten needs to be avoided?

The varieties mentioned that contain rye are not gluten-free: rye is a cereal containing gluten. Check the current ingredients list on every pack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergens and the type of cereal used must be shown on the label.

What should I look for in Dutch breakfast cake containing xylitol?

Check the ingredients, portion size and warnings on the pack. The products mentioned that contain xylitol carry a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

Does Dutch breakfast cake naturally contain iodine from baker’s salt?

No, don’t assume it does unless the product information says so. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, baker’s salt contains iodine, but bakers aren’t required to use it. Check which type of salt is listed on the pack.