When choosing an afternoon snack, start by deciding how many mini biscuits you want to have, then check whether the pack helps you set that amount aside. Individually wrapped portions make it easier to divide them up, but they don’t tell you whether the contents are a suitable portion for you. Then compare similar biscuits per 100 g and check the latest ingredient and allergen information; ‘mini’ doesn’t, by itself, tell you anything about the nutritional value.
If you fancy something small with your coffee or tea, the number of biscuits and how they’re packaged matter more than the word ‘mini’ alone. A multipack or a pre-portioned tray can help you decide how many to have at that moment.
If you’re choosing between similar mini biscuits, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises comparing the nutritional information per 100 g. Look at sugars, fibre, saturated fat and salt, among other things, as well as the amount you actually plan to eat.
If you’re buying for a household where ingredients or allergens matter, read the latest packaging for the exact product. For children aged 4 to 12, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends fruit and vegetables as snacks; mini biscuits don’t have to be the go-to choice every afternoon.
First, decide how many biscuits you want to set aside for your snack. Then compare only similar products using their nutritional information, and if you have an allergy, always check the label on the pack you’re buying.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it’s most relevant to |
|---|---|---|
| Amount per snack | Check whether the pack contains individual portions or states the number of biscuits. If you buy a larger pack, decide in advance how many to set aside. | With my coffee or tea, I want to have a set amount without reaching into the pack again and again. Around 31% of consumers would put portion control first. |
| Nutritional information | Compare similar biscuits per 100 g, looking at sugars, fibre, saturated fat and salt, among other things. | If I’m choosing between two mini biscuits, I want to compare their nutritional information on the same basis. For around 25% of consumers, this comparison would be the main consideration. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the latest packaging, including any relevant warnings about possible traces. | When I’m buying for someone with an allergy, I need to be able to assess whether this particular product is suitable. Allergens and ingredients would determine the choice for around 25% of consumers. |
| Pack size and availability | Check the pack weight, whether it’s divided into individual portions, and whether the product is available from your chosen retailer. | If I want to take a snack with me or share it, I’m looking for a pack that suits the occasion and a product I can buy. For around 19% of consumers, this would be the main consideration. |
Each biscuit may be small, but its size doesn’t determine how many you end up eating. A pack containing lots of mini biscuits isn’t a pre-measured snack either.
Choose individually wrapped portions if that format suits you, or set aside a number of biscuits yourself before you start eating. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g separately.
Ingredients and allergen information can change. That’s why the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses the importance of clear allergen information on food products.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the latest physical packaging. If in doubt, don’t rely solely on a product page you looked at previously or on the brand name.
A page may continue to show product information even when an item is no longer part of the online range, as is the case with a mini biscuit product on the Jumbo website.
Check with the retailer you plan to buy from to see whether your chosen product is currently available.
Lotus offers various small biscuit and snack formats. Always compare the product type and packaging, not just the brand name.
LU Bastogne Mini's are a mini version for anyone specifically looking for the flavour of Bastogne biscuits.
Biscotto is an ALDI own-brand range with various types of small biscuits; the exact product name matters when comparing them.
Jumbo has a mini biscuit category featuring own-brand products and biscuits from other brands.
These two packs suit anyone looking for a small biscuit for the afternoon: Smoeltjes Speculaas, which lists the number of biscuits, and LU Bastogne in mini format. Check the packaging to see whether it suits the amount you want to have; the word ‘mini’ doesn’t mean there’s a set portion.
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An option if you want to take the stated number of biscuits into account when setting some aside for your afternoon snack.
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An option if you’re specifically looking for Bastogne biscuits in mini format and want to decide for yourself how many to set aside for the afternoon.
No. The total number of biscuits determines how much you eat. Set aside the amount you want in advance, or check whether the pack is divided into individual portions; that way, you don’t have to rely on the word ‘mini’.
Compare similar products per 100 g, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises when reading labels. Look at sugars, fibre, saturated fat and salt, for example, and read the ingredients list to spot differences in the recipe.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the latest packaging for the exact product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that 14 allergens must be declared on the label; also look out for relevant information about possible traces.
Mini biscuits don’t have to be the everyday go-to. For children aged 4 to 12, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends fruit and vegetables as snacks; if you choose a biscuit, decide the amount in advance and check the ingredients if they matter.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging for your chosen product. Jumbo says to store LU Bastogne Mini's in a dry place away from heat; instructions may differ for other biscuits.
