When choosing a mix for an office lunch, don’t focus on the word ‘organic’ alone. Check the ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions too. An organic multigrain mix could work if you cook the pancakes in advance and reheat them later. If a gluten-free label is essential, buckwheat as an ingredient isn’t enough on its own. Remember to keep the pancakes chilled while transporting them.
You cook the pancakes at home and want to serve them at the office. Check how many pancakes each pack makes, which ingredients you’ll need to add, and whether you can transport the cooked pancakes chilled and reheat them if necessary.
You’re looking for a verifiably organic product. The European Commission describes the EU organic logo as a mark for certified organic products. Also check the control code and the indication of origin on the packaging.
You’re organising a lunch where gluten or other ingredients may be a concern. Check the product’s explicit labelling, ingredients and any ‘may contain’ statements on the current packaging—not just the name of the grain used.
First, decide which requirement matters most for your office lunch: the organic label, preparation and transport, a dietary requirement or the mix’s ingredients. Then check that the pack you choose meets your other requirements too.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Organic label | Check the EU organic logo, control code and origin of the agricultural ingredients on the packaging. | If I’m choosing an organic option for a shared lunch, I want to be able to verify the label on the packaging. This would be the first thing to look for for around 33% of consumers. |
| Preparation and transport | Check which additional ingredients you’ll need and how many pancakes each pack makes, as well as how you’ll keep them chilled and reheat them. | I want to cook the pancakes in advance without relying on having access to a kitchen at the office. This practical consideration would come first for around 27% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients, check for an explicit gluten-free label and look for any ‘may contain’ statements on the current packaging. | When I’m shopping for someone with a specific dietary requirement, the whole pack needs to be suitable for them. This would be the main priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and composition | Compare the grains or pulses used. Only compare nutritional values on the same basis, such as per 100 g of dry mix. | I want to make an informed choice between multigrain, buckwheat and a mix containing pulses. The mix’s composition would be the deciding factor for around 20% of consumers. |
Organic multigrain mixes may contain gluten-containing grains. A buckwheat mix may also carry warnings about other allergens.
Check the organic label and suitability for dietary requirements separately, using the current packaging.
The mixes listed need to be prepared and cooked. If you don’t have the time or facilities to cook them, making the pancakes in advance becomes more important when planning lunch.
Before you buy, decide where you’ll cook them and how many pancakes you’ll need. Check the preparation instructions on each pack to see which extra ingredients are required.
Remember, you’ll also need a bowl, whisk and pan, as well as a way to reheat the pancakes if necessary.
If you’re preparing lunch in advance, you’ll need to cool the pancakes, pack them in a sealed container and keep them chilled during transport.
Cool the pancakes quickly after cooking, then store and transport them chilled. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping cooked pancakes in the fridge for up to two days.
For a group lunch, the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging may be crucial.
Check the label when you buy the mix and again before you cook the pancakes, especially if you’re preparing food for someone with an allergy.
The 400 g organic multigrain mix is an option if you want to cook the pancakes in advance and reheat them later.
The 400 g organic wheat mix is a good fit if you’re looking for a wheat-based mix for pancakes that still need to be cooked.
The 400 g organic multigrain mix is designed for anyone looking to cook a larger batch of pancakes.
The 400 g organic buckwheat mix is an alternative if you’re looking for a mix with buckwheat as its main ingredient.
Its organic gluten-free mixes are worth considering if an explicit gluten-free label is essential.
Check the EU organic logo, control code and indication of origin on the packaging. According to the European Commission, the EU organic logo is intended for products certified as organic. Check the ingredients and allergens separately too.
No. Buckwheat as an ingredient doesn’t automatically mean a product is gluten-free. If a gluten-free label is essential, choose a mix explicitly labelled as gluten-free and check the other ingredients and allergens on the current packaging.
Yes. Cool them quickly after cooking and store them in a sealed container in the fridge. You can then take them with you the next day, keeping them chilled. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping cooked pancakes in the fridge for up to two days. Also check the storage instructions for any ingredients you add.
It depends on the mix, so read the preparation instructions before planning your lunch. Jumbo says you’ll need 1,000 ml of milk and 2 eggs per pack of its organic mix. You’ll also need the equipment to mix the batter and cook the pancakes.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that prepacked foods must display allergen information on the label. Also check any ‘may contain’ statements that are relevant to the people you’re serving.
