Parents who prepare lunchboxes in advance
Individually wrapped packs are easy to divide between several lunchboxes. Check how many biscuits are in each pack before choosing it as a portion.
Who are individually wrapped portions handy for?
Parents mindful of allergens and school rules
Check the current label and the rules set by the school or class before packing. The products reviewed include ingredients such as wheat and gluten, soya and milk, depending on the product.
Parents packing biscuits as a treat
An individually wrapped biscuit can be included alongside the usual lunch. The Voedingscentrum also recommends fruit, snack vegetables and wholegrain products for school breaks.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, check the school’s rules and the allergen information. Then work out what one wrapped portion contains and how biscuits will fit in alongside the rest of the lunch.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Portion and packaging | Count the packs and the biscuits in each pack. Check that the individual packaging is suitable for sending unopened. | If I’m preparing several lunchboxes in advance, I want to know what I’m packing for each child without having to divide up a pack on the spot. For roughly 33% of consumers, portion size comes first. |
| Alongside the rest of the lunch | Check the ingredients and nutritional information per 100 g and per portion. Decide whether the biscuits will remain an addition to the usual lunch. | I want to be able to pack a biscuit without it taking the place of fruit, vegetables or a wholegrain product in the lunchbox. For around 42% of consumers, this is the main consideration. |
| Allergens and school rules | Read the current allergen information, including any ‘may contain’ information, and check what rules apply to the class. | When I’m packing for school, the product needs to meet the allergen requirements and follow the rules in place. This is the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming one pack means one biscuit
An individual pack can contain more than one biscuit. The Lotus Biscoff Snack Pack listed by Albert Heijn contains two biscuits per pack; the Sultana Naturel multipack contains three fruit biscuits per portion.
Check both the number of packs and what each one contains, then decide how much you want to include alongside the usual lunch.
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Relying only on a claim on the front of the pack
A claim on the front of a pack doesn’t tell you on its own how a portion of biscuits fits into a lunchbox. The Voedingscentrum recommends checking the ingredients and nutritional information as well.
For the products you’re considering, compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion, including sugars, fibre, saturated fat and salt.
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Checking for gluten and nothing else
Allergens vary from product to product. The Lotus Biscoff packs reviewed list wheat and soya; milk is also listed for Sultana Naturel. For the Peijnenburg ontbijtkoek reviewed, ‘may contain’ information about nuts is also relevant.
Read the full allergen information on every new pack and check the rules set by the school or class.
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Packing biscuits instead of the usual lunch
Convenient packaging doesn’t make biscuits a replacement for lunch. The Voedingscentrum recommends options such as fruit, snack vegetables and wholemeal bread for school.
Pack the usual lunch first, then decide whether a portion of biscuits works as an extra in your routine and fits the school’s rules.
Brands worth comparing
Lotus Biscoff
The speculoos packs reviewed are worth considering if you’re looking for small, individually wrapped portions.
- According to Albert Heijn’s product information, the Snack Pack contains eight packs of two biscuits; the XL version listed by Jumbo contains ten packs of two biscuits.
- Both versions reviewed list wheat and soya. Check the portion size and current label for each version.
Sultana
The Naturel multipack reviewed contains fruit biscuits in individually wrapped portions of three.
- Albert Heijn’s product information lists seven portions and 6,8 g of fibre per 100 g for this specific product.
- The listed allergens include cereals containing gluten, wheat and milk. Consider how a portion of three biscuits fits alongside the rest of the lunch.
Peijnenburg
The Naturel 10-pack reviewed is an alternative if you’d rather pack one individually wrapped slice of ontbijtkoek than a bag containing several small biscuits.
- Albert Heijn lists ten individually wrapped 28 g slices.
- The product label lists rye and cereals containing gluten, as well as ‘may contain’ information about nuts. Check the current pack before packing.
Biscuit products on Joybuy
These biscuit products may suit you if you’re looking for a pack for one or more school lunchboxes. Compare the stated contents with the portion you want, and check the label and school rules before packing.
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Bourbon Alfort Mini Stawberry, 12 × 55 g
If you want to divide portions between lunchboxes in advance, the product name states that there are twelve 55 g packs. Decide whether 55 g is right for what you want to pack alongside the usual lunch, and read the current allergen information.
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Oreo Raspberry & Blueberry Flavor Sandwich Cookies, 97 g
If two individual packs are enough for your plans, this is one to compare. The product name states 97 g in total and two packs; check how much is in each pack to work out the portion, and read the current allergen information.
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Hellema Smoeltjes Speculaas, 8 pieces, 200 g
If you want to divide speculaas biscuits between lunchboxes, you could consider this pack of eight, weighing 200 g. Check how many biscuits you want to pack for each child, and look for any ‘may contain’ information about peanuts and nuts on the current label.
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LU Scholiertje Milk Chocolate Biscuits, 150 g
When planning biscuit portions for several lunchboxes, the amount in each pack matters. This version contains 150 g; check how many individual portions you can make from it and read the current allergen information.
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Ülker Halley Mini Biscuit, 3 × 77 g
If you want to divide biscuits between several lunchboxes, the stated pack size of 3 × 77 g gives you a starting point. Check the pack to see how many biscuits you’ll be giving each child, and read the full allergen information and school rules.
Frequently asked questions
Can a biscuit from a multipack replace a school-break snack every day?
Don’t use biscuits as a replacement for the usual lunch or regular break-time snacks. For primary school children, the Voedingscentrum recommends options including fruit, snack vegetables, wholemeal bread and wholegrain crispbread. Decide whether a portion of biscuits would work alongside these.
What’s the difference between a pack of two biscuits and three fruit biscuits?
They’re different portion sizes, so start by deciding what you want to pack for each child. The Lotus Biscoff Snack Pack listed by Albert Heijn contains two biscuits per pack, while the Sultana Naturel multipack contains three fruit biscuits per portion. Then compare the current label for each portion.
Should I read the label again if it’s a product I know?
Yes. Read the ingredients and allergen information again whenever you open a new pack. For the products reviewed, Albert Heijn notes that product information can change, so a previous purchase is no substitute for checking the current label.
Can I send biscuits containing gluten to school?
Check the specific rules set by the school or class and the current biscuit label. According to the Voedingscentrum, a food policy can help parents and pupils understand what’s allowed. Don’t rely solely on the product name or on a rule that applied previously.