A buyer looking to put a wrapped biscuit out for each guest
You want to serve biscuits without opening a shared pack. So check whether each biscuit really does have its own wrapper; a mention of the number of biscuits alone isn’t enough.
Who needs to make this choice?
A buffet manager who specifically wants to serve kano pastries
You prefer kano pastries filled with almond paste and can arrange to serve them from a shared pack. Storage after opening and making product information available are then part of your buffet set-up.
A hotel team responsible for allergen information
You need to ensure guests can access the correct allergen information, even when biscuits are unwrapped on the buffet. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) requires allergen information to be provided for non-prepacked foods.
What should you look for when buying?
Kano pastries from a shared pack
A good fit if: kano pastries with almond paste are important and serving them unpackaged fits your way of working.
Consider: arrange storage after opening and make allergen information available when serving the biscuits unwrapped.
A different, individually wrapped biscuit
A good fit if: a sealed pack for each guest matters more than choosing a kano pastry.
Consider: speculoos and mini syrup waffles are different types of biscuit; compare their portions, ingredients and allergens too.
For a Dutch hotel breakfast buffet, first decide whether the type of biscuit or serving them individually matters most. Then check the packaging, allergen information and portions for the specific product.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this most important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Individual wrapping | Look for an explicit statement that each biscuit is individually wrapped, then check how the biscuits are actually packaged when they arrive. | I want to offer every guest an unopened biscuit without first opening a box and dividing up the biscuits. For around 36% of consumers, individual serving is the top priority. |
| Allergen information | Compare the current label with the information guests can access at the buffet. For unpackaged serving, provide allergen information in accordance with NVWA requirements. | When biscuits are laid out unwrapped on the buffet, I want to be able to answer questions about allergens before guests eat them. Around 29% of consumers say this is their top consideration. |
| Portions and storage | Check the number of biscuits or portions, the best-before date and storage instructions, including what to do after opening. | I want to replenish the buffet without opening more biscuits than I need for breakfast service. For around 21% of consumers, managing portions and stock is the top priority. |
| Kano pastries as a type of biscuit | Check whether the product description says it’s a kano pastry with almond paste, and decide whether a different type of biscuit would be acceptable. | I specifically want to serve kano pastries at my buffet, even if that means using a shared pack. Keeping to this type of biscuit is the top priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a multipack means each biscuit has its own wrapper
A weight, number of biscuits or mention of plastic packaging doesn’t tell you whether each kano pastry is individually wrapped. You could end up ordering biscuits that don’t suit the way you plan to serve them.
Ask for the packaging format to be confirmed explicitly, then check on arrival that each biscuit really does have its own wrapper.
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Leaving allergen information on the outer packaging
If kano pastries are laid out unwrapped on the buffet, guests can’t check the information on an outer pack that has been taken away. The NVWA requires businesses to provide information about allergens in non-prepacked foods.
Make the information available alongside the food, or ensure staff can provide it straight away. Keep the latest product information close at hand.
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Treating a wrapped alternative as the same type of biscuit
Lotus Biscoff biscuits and Kanjers mini syrup waffles are described as individually wrapped by Makro and Sligro respectively, but they aren’t kano pastries filled with almond paste.
Decide whether you’re happy to change the type of biscuit, then compare the portion, ingredients and allergens on the current label.
Relevant brands to consider
These product ranges can help you compare kano pastries for serving from a shared pack at the buffet; a brand name alone doesn’t confirm that each biscuit is individually wrapped.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn describes a 270 g pack of butter kano pastries containing six portions.
- The product information includes details such as ingredients, allergens and storage instructions.
- Check separately whether the packaging is suitable if you want to serve each kano pastry in its own wrapper.
Jumbo
Jumbo describes butter kano pastries in a 275 g pack containing five portions.
- The product description and information about ingredients, allergens and storage can help you plan your buffet.
- Mention of plastic as a packaging material doesn’t mean that each biscuit is individually wrapped.
Aviateur
Dirk describes Aviateur Kano’s as a pack of five.
- The product description makes clear that these are kano pastries filled with almond paste.
- The number of biscuits doesn’t tell you whether each one has its own wrapper.
Sondey
Lidl Netherlands describes Sondey kano pastries as butter biscuits with almond paste in a 325 g pack.
- The product description and pack weight make it possible to compare them with other kano pastries.
- Ask to see the current label and check the packaging format if allergens or individual serving will determine your choice.
Biscuits as an alternative to kano pastries
These Joybuy products are syrup waffles and chocolate biscuits for a buffet where a different type of biscuit from kano pastries would also work. For each product, check whether the wrapper contains one biscuit or a portion of several biscuits before planning to serve one to each guest.
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Kanjers Extra Delicious Syrup Waffles, 10 pieces
A syrup waffle is an alternative if the kano shape isn’t essential. If you want to put out one unopened biscuit per guest, check whether each of the ten syrup waffles is individually wrapped.
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Lu Scholiertje Milk Chocolate Biscuits, 150 g
These chocolate biscuits are only suitable if a different type of biscuit from kano pastries is acceptable. If you want to offer one biscuit per guest, check how many biscuits are in each individual pack.
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Kanjers Original Syrup Waffles, 8 pieces
These syrup waffles are an option if your buffet doesn’t specifically require kano pastries. For the pack of eight, check how many syrup waffles share a wrapper before preparing portions for guests.
Frequently asked questions
Can I tell from the plastic packaging whether each kano pastry is individually wrapped?
No. Mention of plastic as a packaging material doesn’t tell you how the biscuits are arranged inside the pack. Jumbo includes this detail for its 275 g kano pastries; for individual serving, look for an explicit description of the packaging and check the pack itself.
What allergen information is needed for unwrapped kano pastries on a Dutch hotel buffet?
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority requires businesses to inform guests about relevant allergens in non-prepacked foods. This information can be provided in writing or verbally. If you provide it verbally, make sure guests can ask for it directly before eating and know who to ask.
Does an individual wrapper mean allergen information isn’t needed?
No. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for prepacked foods must appear on the label. Check the label on your chosen biscuit and make sure the relevant information remains available to guests if you present products differently.
How should I store kano pastries after opening a shared pack?
Follow the instructions on the current label for the kano pastries you’ve chosen. Albert Heijn recommends storing its butter kano pastries in a sealed tin after opening; Jumbo advises keeping its kano pastries in a cool, dry, dark place.