Parents keeping an eye on added sugar and salt
You’re looking for breakfast flakes as an alternative to bread. For children aged 1 to 3, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends wholegrain breakfast cereals with no added sugar or salt.
Who are these options relevant to?
Shoppers who want to identify organic products
You want to be able to check that a product is certified organic rather than relying on words such as ‘natural’. According to Skal Biocontrole, the EU organic logo is compulsory on prepacked organic consumer products in the EU.
Families who need to check for allergens
If your child has an allergy or coeliac disease, or if you’re taking breakfast flakes to school or nursery, the information on the exact pack matters. Check the ingredients, declared allergens and warnings, and ask about the setting’s rules if needed.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether wholegrains and no added sugar or salt are your priorities. Then check the organic labelling and allergen information on the product you’re actually buying.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Added sugar and salt | Read the ingredients list and compare the sugars and salt per 100 g in the nutrition information. | If I alternate breakfast flakes with bread, I want to know what has been added to the product. This is the top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Organic certification and type of grain | Check for the EU organic logo and see whether the product contains cornflakes or wholegrain flakes. | I want to be able to identify an organic product without assuming that certification says anything about its nutritional value. This is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Read the declared allergens and any warnings on the exact pack; ask the school or nursery about its rules. | If a child needs to avoid certain ingredients or takes breakfast with them, I want to be able to check whether this product is suitable. This matters most to around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming organic means no added sugar or salt
Organic certification relates to how a product is made. On its own, it doesn’t tell you whether breakfast flakes are wholegrain or what has been added to them.
Read the ingredients and nutrition information first. Then check for the EU organic logo if organic certification is a condition of your purchase.
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Assuming cornflakes are always gluten-free
According to Albert Heijn’s product information, AH Biologisch Cornflakes are labelled gluten-free, while Jumbo warns that Smaakt Bio Cornflakes Ongezoet may contain cereals containing gluten.
If your child has an allergy or coeliac disease, read the label on the exact product, including the declared allergens and warnings. Don’t rely on the type of grain or product category alone.
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Relying on an old product listing
Ingredients and allergen information can change, so an earlier shop listing is no substitute for the pack you have in front of you.
Check the current label before giving breakfast flakes to a toddler. If you’re taking them to school or nursery, ask about the rules there.
Brands and shops to consider
AH Biologisch
Albert Heijn lists both organic cornflakes and organic grain flakes. This makes it possible to compare cornflakes and other types of grain separately.
- AH Biologisch Cornflakes are labelled organic and gluten-free on the product page.
- The product information lists soya. Check the current packaging, as ingredients and allergen information can change.
Smaakt
Smaakt Bio Cornflakes Ongezoet is an organic cornflake option that Jumbo lists as containing maize.
- The product page displays the EU organic logo and lists 1.0 g of sugars per 100 g.
- For this product, Jumbo warns of possible traces of, among other things, cereals containing gluten, milk, nuts, peanuts, sesame and soya.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s cornflakes category features products from various brands, including an organic Smaakt option. Always compare the individual product packaging.
- The category is a useful starting point for comparing different types of flakes.
- A product listing doesn’t guarantee that an option will remain available, so check the current information when you buy.
A product to consider
This product may suit you if you’re looking for grain flakes as an alternative for a toddler’s breakfast. Before choosing, check the type of grain, the organic logo and the allergens on the packaging.
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Zonnatura Organic Whole Wheat Oatmeal 500 g
If you’re looking for grain flakes as a breakfast option for a toddler, you could consider this product, but check the type of grain before use.
The product name says Whole Wheat Oatmeal, while the description refers to wholegrain oat flakes. Check the packaging to see which grain the product contains and whether it displays the EU organic logo.
The product information lists gluten and possible traces of soya, milk, nuts and sesame. If you need to avoid allergens, always read the current packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Are organic cornflakes automatically suitable for a toddler’s breakfast?
No. Organic certification on its own says nothing about whether a product contains wholegrains or added sugar and salt. For children aged 1 to 3, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends wholegrain breakfast cereals with no added sugar or salt as an alternative to bread. Check these features for each product.
How can I identify organic packaged breakfast flakes?
Look for the EU organic logo on the packaging. According to Skal Biocontrole, this logo is compulsory on prepacked organic consumer products in the EU. Also read the ingredients and nutrition information to check the features that matter to you at breakfast.
Do cornflakes always contain gluten?
No. Allergen information varies between products. Albert Heijn labels AH Biologisch Cornflakes as gluten-free, while Jumbo warns that Smaakt Bio Cornflakes Ongezoet may contain cereals containing gluten. If you need to avoid allergens, rely on the current label of the product you buy.
What should I check if breakfast flakes are going to school or nursery?
Read the ingredients, declared allergens and any warnings on the packaging, and ask the school or nursery about its rules. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are declared on food labels; this does not determine the policy of any individual setting.
How should I store an opened pack of breakfast flakes?
Follow the storage instructions on your product’s packaging. The Albert Heijn product pages for AH Biologisch Cornflakes and the Jumbo page for Smaakt Bio Cornflakes Ongezoet recommend sealing the pack well and storing it in a cool, dry, dark place.