Colleagues who stock the shared tin
They need to know whether the tin will contain larger egg cakes or smaller biscuits, how many pieces are in a pack and how to store the contents once opened.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Colleagues comparing portions
They want to check the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion, without assuming anything about the overall nutritional value from the names egg cake, wholemeal or digestive.
Offices that want allergen information to be easy to find
With a shared tin, colleagues and visitors need to be able to check the ingredients and allergens listed on the current packaging for the product on offer.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether the tin should contain larger egg cakes or crunchy digestives. Then compare the exact products for portions, nutritional information, storage and allergens.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Portion and type of biscuit | Check the number of pieces and the weight per piece. Choose between a larger egg cake and a smaller biscuit to enjoy with coffee or tea. | For the shared tin, I want to know what size my colleagues can pick up. Around 31% of consumers put portion size first. |
| Nutritional value | Compare the exact products per 100 g and per portion, including energy, sugars, fat, fibre and salt. | If the pieces differ considerably in size, I want to compare the nutritional information on a like-for-like basis. For around 31% of consumers, this comparison is the top priority. |
| Storage after opening | Follow the instructions on the packaging and choose a quantity that suits how the biscuits will be used in the office. Jumbo recommends an airtight biscuit tin for its crunchy digestive. | If a pack needs to last through several coffee breaks, I want to be able to store its contents properly in between. This is the most important consideration for around 23% of consumers. |
| Allergens when sharing | Check the ingredients and allergens on every new pack, and keep this information available by the tin. | If colleagues and visitors are choosing from the same tin, I want them to be able to check the label. Around 15% of consumers give this check priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming the word ‘digestive’ tells you about nutritional value
A mention of fibre does not tell you everything about a biscuit’s nutritional value. The product name also does not allow you to compare it with an egg cake.
For the exact products, check the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion, including sugars, fat, fibre and salt.
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Looking only at the pack size
Once opened, a shared pack may need to last for several coffee breaks. Jumbo recommends keeping its crunchy digestives tightly sealed and says its wholemeal egg cakes should be stored in a cool, dry place away from light.
Choose a quantity that suits how the biscuits will be used in the office, and follow the storage instructions for the product you choose.
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Relying on an old label or a different product variant
Albert Heijn notes that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change. A chocolate biscuit also has a different composition from an uncoated one.
Check every new pack and keep the current packaging while the biscuits are in the tin.
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Putting out a shared tin without allergen information
The product examples mentioned include wheat and, depending on the variant, egg, milk or soya. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses the importance of clearly stating allergens on the label.
Keep the original packaging or a clear image of the current label available, so everyone can check the information before choosing.
Brands to consider
These examples show which egg cakes and biscuits you can compare individually. Features of one product variant do not automatically apply to other products from the same brand.
Bolletje
Brosse Eierkoek is an option if you want to put smaller egg cakes in the tin.
- The pack of the variant with a milk coating contains 10 pieces of 15,5 g.
- Bolletje lists egg, cereals containing gluten, milk, wheat and soya among the allergens for Brosse Eierkoek; check the label of the exact variant.
Verkade
Verkade offers Digestive Original, as well as the separate Maria biscuit.
- These products let you choose between different types of biscuit.
- You cannot assume that the nutritional value and allergens for Maria are the same as for Digestive Original.
Albert Heijn
The own-brand range includes both egg cakes and digestives, which you can compare as separate product types.
- Having both product types available means you can start by choosing the type of biscuit you want.
- Albert Heijn recommends checking the packaging because product information, including allergen information, can change.
Jumbo
Jumbo sells a wholemeal egg cake and its own crunchy digestive, as well as McVitie's Digestives Original.
- For its own digestive, Jumbo suggests storing it in an airtight biscuit tin.
- Jumbo says its wholemeal egg cakes should be stored in a cool, dry place away from light; follow the instructions for each product.
Lidl
Lidl has shown a pack of 12 egg cakes.
- The stated number of pieces helps you plan how much to stock in the tin.
- For ingredients, allergens and nutritional values of its food products, Lidl refers customers to the packaging.
ALDI
The Heerlijck Banket Scharreleierkoeken shown are sold in a pack of 12, with a total weight of 360 g.
- The number of pieces and total weight give you useful points of comparison when choosing a pack.
- Before sharing, check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on the pack.
Digestives on Joybuy
These products suit anyone looking for digestive biscuits for an office biscuit tin: one uncoated Original and two chocolate varieties. If portion sizes or allergens are a deciding factor, compare the packaging for each product individually.
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McVities Digestive Original, 400 g
For anyone who wants to serve an uncoated digestive with coffee or tea. The pack contains 400 g; store in a dry place and, preferably, somewhere cool, as indicated in the product information. For a shared tin, check the allergens on the current label.
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McVitie's Digestives Milk Chocolate, 266 g
For anyone who wants to put a milk chocolate digestive in the tin. The pack contains 266 g; check the current label for allergens and the number of biscuits if you want to plan portions.
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McVitie's Digestives with Dark Chocolate, 266 g
For anyone who wants to offer a dark chocolate digestive as a biscuit option. The pack contains 266 g; check the allergens and number of biscuits on the current label before filling the tin.
Frequently asked questions
When should I choose egg cakes instead of digestives?
Choose egg cakes if you want to offer larger, lighter bites; digestives are a good choice if you’re looking for a crunchy biscuit to enjoy with coffee or tea. When planning your supply, also check the number of pieces per pack and the storage instructions for the product you choose.
Does the word ‘digestive’ tell me about the overall nutritional value?
No, the name alone does not give you a complete picture of the nutritional value. Compare the exact digestives and egg cakes using the label information per 100 g and per portion, so differences in piece size are clear.
Which allergens should I check for a shared biscuit tin?
Check the full allergen information on every pack: allergens vary by product and variant. The examples mentioned include wheat and, depending on the biscuit, egg, milk or soya. Keep the current label available by the tin.
How should I store biscuits once the pack is open?
Follow the instructions on the packaging and make sure the tin is tightly closed when storing digestives. Jumbo suggests an airtight biscuit tin for its crunchy digestive; for its wholemeal egg cakes, Jumbo recommends storing them in a cool, dry place away from light.
How can I compare Lidl egg cakes for allergens and nutritional values?
Check the packaging for the exact product. Lidl says it does not publish an online list of ingredients, allergens and nutritional values for its food products, so a product listing alone is not enough for this comparison.