First decide how you want to serve the biscuits: a stated number of pieces or several individual packs can help you plan how to hand them out, while small cookie bites work well as a little extra alongside an oliebol. An individual pack is not automatically one customer portion. If you offer biscuits unwrapped, organise your allergen information before selling and follow the applicable hygiene rules.
You want to decide in advance how many biscuits to serve alongside your oliebollen. A stated number of pieces or individual packs gives you a clear starting point; just check how many biscuits you want to include with each order.
You open packs or serve biscuits loose. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), information about allergens present in unpackaged foods must be available before purchase. Ondernemersplein also explains the hygiene rules for handling and selling food.
You want to know how many servings you can get from a pack and whether your chosen variety will be available when you need it. Keep in mind the difference between the number of individual packs, the number of biscuits and the portion you want to offer.
Decide how you’ll serve the biscuits before choosing a pack: one biscuit, an individual pack or a biscuit alongside an oliebol. Then check the label and how you’ll offer the product to customers.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens and hygiene | Check the allergens for the exact variety and decide how you’ll provide this information before purchase if you offer biscuits unwrapped. | If I serve biscuits loose, I need to be able to answer questions about allergens and organise serving them hygienically. This is the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Portions and serving speed | Compare the number of biscuits, the number of individual packs and the stated portion size; decide how many you’ll include with each order. | During a busy sales period, I want to serve a consistent amount without having to measure it out each time. Around 30% of consumers prioritise predictable portions. |
| Stock and serving | Compare the net contents with the number of servings you can get from the pack, and check whether your chosen variety is available. | I want to take enough biscuits with me without having lots left over once the pack is open. Stock planning is the most important consideration for around 23% of consumers. |
| Flavour and range | Choose your preferred flavour or shape, and check the label again if you switch varieties. | Alongside an oliebol, I want to be able to choose between options such as a plain biscuit and a chocolate variety. For around 16% of consumers, this choice is the top priority. |
Several small packs make it possible to open them as needed, but one pack may contain more biscuits than you want to serve with each order.
Decide in advance whether you’ll serve one biscuit or a whole pack. Then check how many biscuits each individual pack contains on the packaging you’ve chosen.
The size tells you nothing about the allergens. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), customers must be able to get information about allergens present in unpackaged foods before purchase.
Use the allergen information for the exact variety and update it if you change product or flavour.
A product you looked at previously may no longer be available: Jumbo reported that its Mini Koekjes Choco Chip was no longer part of its online range.
Check availability just before buying. Also choose an alternative in advance, with a portion size and allergen information that suit the way you serve your products.
An opened pack needs to be stored carefully to protect the biscuits left inside. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre (Voedingscentrum) recommends keeping biscuits cool, dry, dark and tightly sealed.
Only open what you need, seal the rest carefully and follow the storage advice on the label of your chosen variety.
Lotus makes Mini Biscuits, which the manufacturer describes as biscuits for sharing, as well as other Biscoff varieties.
Biscotto is an ALDI own brand, with products including Mini Biscuits in six individual packs and mini animal-shaped biscuits.
AH Cookie Bites are worth considering if you want to serve a small biscuit alongside an oliebol.
Sondey is a Lidl brand of biscuits and snacks.
Jumbo offers various types of mini biscuits, including own-brand varieties.
Yes. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), you must tell customers about allergens present in unpackaged foods before purchase. The NVWA recognises 14 allergens; for cereals containing gluten and nuts, you must also specify which cereal or nut is involved. You can provide this information in writing, electronically or, under certain conditions, verbally.
Prepacked food should have product information on the label, including ingredients and allergens, as explained by Ondernemersplein. If you offer biscuits loose from the pack, make sure customers can get the allergen information in an appropriate way before purchase.
Store the biscuits somewhere cool, dry and dark, and keep them tightly sealed, following the advice from the Netherlands Nutrition Centre (Voedingscentrum). Also follow the instructions on the packaging of your chosen variety.
If you prepare, process, handle or sell food, Ondernemersplein says you must work hygienically and have a food safety plan based on HACCP or an approved hygiene code. This also applies to sales at markets and events.
