Parents who want to hand out treats at school
You’ll want to know what the school allows and whether any children have food allergies. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends asking about this in advance when planning treats.
Choose egg cakes if you want to give out individual portions and the packaging meets the school’s rules and takes account of any allergies. A box of chocolates is a different kind of product, not an obvious substitute. Before you buy, check the label on the variety you’ve chosen and make sure you have enough portions.
You’ll want to know what the school allows and whether any children have food allergies. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends asking about this in advance when planning treats.
You’re comparing the number of items, portion sizes and packaging to decide what to send in or share with a group.
You may want to compare wholemeal flour, fibre or sugars, for example. If you’re considering something outside the egg cake category, also check that the alternative meets the group’s needs and takes account of any allergies.
First decide whether you want to send in egg cakes or choose a different kind of gift. If you’re planning an edible treat, check the school’s rules and the allergens first. Then compare portions and nutritional information.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens and school rules | Read the allergen statement on the current packaging and ask what the school or class allows. | “If I want to hand something out in class, I need to know whether it’s allowed and whether there are any allergies I should consider.” For around 50% of shoppers, checking this comes first. |
| Portions and packaging | Compare the number of items and the stated portion size with the number of portions you need. | “For a group, I want to bring enough portions without relying on the total pack weight alone.” Portion planning is a priority for around 30% of shoppers. |
| Ingredients and product type | Compare ingredients, fibre and sugars per 100 g and per portion. Also decide whether you’re looking for egg cakes or a different product. | “When choosing between egg cakes and an alternative, I want to compare their ingredients without treating them as the same product.” This matters most to around 20% of shoppers. |
Ingredients and allergens vary between varieties. The products reviewed from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and Bolletje list egg, milk and wheat or other cereals containing gluten, among other allergens; information about soya varies.
Read the allergen statement on the exact pack you’re buying and check with the school if anyone has allergies.
Jumbo Volkoren Eierkoeken lists several allergens. Verkade Oaties Melkchocolade is described as gluten-free, but it’s a different kind of biscuit and, according to the product information, contains milk and soya.
Use a claim like this as just one selection criterion, and also check all the allergens that are relevant to the group.
A box of chocolates and egg cakes are different products. The ingredients and allergens in one tell you nothing about those in the other.
First decide whether you want individual portions to hand out or a gift. Then check the school’s rules and the product label.
A pack of mini egg cakes and a pack of regular egg cakes may contain different numbers of items and different portion sizes.
Work out how many portions you need, then compare the number of items and portion size shown on the packaging.
Albert Heijn stocks regular and mini egg cakes.
Jumbo stocks regular and wholemeal egg cakes. Its wholemeal variety gives you a specific product to use when comparing ingredients.
ALDI lists Heerlijck Banket Scharreleierkoeken in a pack of 12, weighing 360 g.
Lidl lists egg cakes in a pack of 12, weighing 360 g.
Bolletje Brosse Eierkoek Kaneel is a crunchy cinnamon variety with a milk coating, rather than the same type of product as a regular soft egg cake.
Verkade Oaties Melkchocolade is a biscuit alternative outside the egg cake category.
Yes. Ask the school what rules apply to treats. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also recommends checking in advance whether any children have allergies or avoid certain products.
Don’t assume they are: the egg cakes reviewed from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and Bolletje list wheat or other cereals containing gluten. Read the allergen statement for the exact variety you want to buy.
Wholemeal on its own tells you nothing about whether a product is suitable for someone with allergies. Jumbo Volkoren Eierkoeken lists barley, egg, gluten, milk, oats, soya and wheat, among other allergens. Check the current packaging for the allergens that are relevant to your group.
Only if a box of chocolates is suitable for the occasion and meets the school’s rules. It isn’t the same as egg cakes, so check the ingredients and allergens on the specific box before choosing it.