If you want to give each colleague an individual portion or let them take a piece away, individually wrapped slices are practical. For a permanent pantry, a large sliced pack may be enough, provided someone takes care of serving it and storing it properly. Whichever format you choose, check the label on the exact product: a claim such as ‘no added sugars’ doesn’t tell you how much sugar a portion contains.
If colleagues are given their snack individually or take it away with them, individually wrapped portions mean everyone doesn’t have to help themselves from the same opened pack. According to its product information, Peijnenburg offers an 8-pack of individually wrapped slices; Jumbo also lists a 10-pack from the brand.
In a permanent snack area, colleagues can help themselves to a slice from a large, pre-sliced pack. Examples include the sliced packs from PLUS and Koek & Bakker. If you choose this option, make sure someone is responsible for serving it and closing the pack.
Check the ingredients and allergens on the current label for the exact product, even if you’ve bought the same brand before. The Peijnenburg portions reviewed contain rye and also list other possible allergens.
First decide whether you’ll hand out ontbijtkoek to each colleague or keep it in one place. Then check the portions, nutritional information and allergens for the pack you’ve chosen.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Handing out portions | Check that the slices are individually wrapped and how many portions the pack contains. | If colleagues take their cake away or are given individual portions, I don’t want to keep opening a shared pack. For around 40% of consumers, ease of serving is the top priority. |
| Sugars and fibre | Compare the nutritional values per 100 g and per portion, paying attention to sugars, fibre and the stated portion size. | I want to know what’s in one slice, rather than relying only on the wording on the front of the pack. This nutritional information is estimated to be the main consideration for 30% of consumers. |
| Serving for everyone to share | Check whether the pack is pre-sliced and follow the storage instructions, including after opening. | Colleagues help themselves to a slice in our pantry, and I can make sure the opened pack is closed again. For around 20% of consumers, having it ready to use in one permanent place is the deciding factor. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ statement on the exact pack. | Before putting it out for our team, I need to be able to check which grains and other allergens are listed. This check matters most to around 10% of consumers. |
A sliced cake works well in a permanent snack area, but the slices aren’t necessarily individually wrapped. That matters if colleagues work in different places or want to take a slice with them.
Before you choose, decide where people will help themselves and whether you want to hand out individual portions.
According to Peijnenburg, the reviewed 8-pack labelled ‘no added sugars’ still contains sugars. This variant also lists rye and other possible allergens.
Check the nutritional values per portion, ingredients and allergen information for the exact product.
Product information can change. An older pack or a brief online description is no substitute for the information on the pack you’re actually putting out.
Check the current label every time you buy, especially if colleagues need to avoid specific allergens.
Peijnenburg offers both sliced ontbijtkoek and packs of individual portions. The reviewed 8- and 10-packs are particularly worth considering if you’re handing out portions to colleagues.
ALDI lists pre-sliced ontbijtkoek from Koek & Bakker in 485 g packs, including a wholemeal version and a zero version.
ALDI lists cake bites from Goud Gebakken in a pack of six individually wrapped pieces.
PLUS lists a 485 g pack of sliced plain ontbijtkoek, suitable for a shared pantry or meeting table.
These ontbijtkoek products include sliced packs for a shared snack area and a Snelle Jelle option for anyone considering a different packaging format. If you’re handing out portions to colleagues, check the current pack to see whether they’re individually wrapped.
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A sliced pack for a shared snack area where colleagues can help themselves to a piece. Check the portion size, nutritional values and storage instructions for after opening on the pack.
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Consider this option for handing out to colleagues if the current pack confirms that the portions are individually wrapped. Don’t assume ‘Less Sugar-Free’ in the product name tells you how much sugar a portion contains: compare the nutritional values on the label and check the allergens.
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This sliced option is suitable for a shared area where the pack can be put away again after use. Check the nutritional values and allergens on the current label before serving, especially if colleagues need to avoid gluten-containing grains.
No. Individually wrapped portions are useful if you’re handing out cake or colleagues want to take it with them. A large sliced pack may be enough in a permanent snack area where serving and storage are taken care of.
No, the two claims don’t mean the same thing. Peijnenburg states that its reviewed 8-pack with no added sugars still contains sugars per portion. Check the nutritional table on the exact pack to find out how much.
Check the ingredients, allergens, any ‘may contain’ statement, best-before date and storage instructions on the current pack. For example, the reviewed Peijnenburg portions contain rye and list other possible allergens.
No, you can’t assume that added iodine is present just because it’s ontbijtkoek. If baker’s salt is important to your choice, check the ingredients of the specific product.
Read the label on the exact product before buying it for your team. Lidl Netherlands says it doesn’t provide an online overview of ingredients, allergens and nutritional values for its food products.
