Start with the allergens that are relevant to your child and the arrangements at their school or after-school club; a label such as ‘premium’ won’t tell you anything about these. Then compare the types of grain and what you need to add during preparation: a multigrain mix offers a different base of ingredients, while a complete mix can be handy if you want to measure out fewer separate ingredients. Think of the pancakes as part of the whole packed lunch, too.
If your child needs to avoid certain ingredients, start by checking the current label, including any ‘may contain’ information. Also check the arrangements your child’s school or after-school club has in place for food brought from home.
An organic, multigrain or wholemeal option may suit what you want to include in your child’s lunch. Compare the ingredients and nutritional information for each product, without treating any one label as a verdict on the whole lunch.
Want to measure out fewer ingredients before making pancakes for a packed lunch? Check what you still need to add to a complete mix or shaker bottle, and how many pancakes you want to make.
First, work out which ingredients your child can eat and what the school has agreed. Then compare the ingredients, preparation and the variety you want for lunch.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens and school arrangements | Read the allergens and ‘may contain’ information on the current label. Ask what arrangements the school or after-school club has in place. | If my child needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know whether the mix, preparation and any toppings are all suitable. For around 36% of consumers, this is the most important consideration. |
| What’s in the lunch | Compare the grains listed and the nutritional information; also think about what else will go in the packed lunch. | I want to choose between a regular base and a multigrain or wholemeal one, without judging the pancake on its own. An estimated 29% of consumers prioritise these ingredients. |
| Preparation | Check which ingredients you need to add, the stated yield and the instructions for prepared batter. | On a busy morning, I don’t want to measure out several ingredients or be left with unused batter. Convenience is the main concern for around 21% of consumers. |
| Variety of flavours or ingredients | Check that the feature you want is actually stated on the pack, such as organic ingredients or a flavoured variety. | For a varied lunch, I sometimes look for a different flavour or grain combination rather than plain pancakes. For around 14% of consumers, variety comes first. |
Organic, multigrain, flavoured and shaker-bottle options describe different product features. None of them, on its own, tells you whether the whole lunch is suitable.
Decide which feature matters to you, then compare the ingredients and preparation instructions for the products in question.
A product name doesn’t tell you which allergens may be present. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information must be provided on pre-packed foods.
Before packing, read the current label, including the ‘may contain’ information, and bear in mind the arrangements at your child’s school or after-school club.
Even with a mix that only needs water, you still have to make the batter and cook the pancakes. Jumbo also says that batter made with its Complete Shaker Bottle should be used straight away.
Check the preparation instructions and make an amount that suits when you plan to cook.
The mix you choose is just one part of what your child takes to school. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends including vegetables or fruit and wholemeal options in a primary school lunch, among other things.
So think about what else to pack alongside the pancakes, taking your child and the school’s arrangements into account.
The range includes complete, gluten-free and organic multigrain mixes. Features vary between products.
The own-brand range includes several pancake mixes, including plain and multigrain options.
Jumbo offers a plain mix and a Complete Shaker Bottle, among other options; they require different preparation.
The wholemeal pancake mix is an option if you want to compare the grains listed with those in other mixes.
ALDI lists an Albona multigrain pancake baking mix in a 400 g pack.
Lidl lists a 400 g pack of Belbake Original Pancake Mix, which makes around 12 pancakes.
These mixes suit two school-lunch priorities: making pancakes with fewer separate ingredients or choosing a multigrain base. Check the current packaging and any ingredients you need to add before using a mix for a packed lunch.
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A complete mix to consider if you want to measure out fewer separate ingredients for a small batch. The pack contains 210 g; check the preparation instructions and allergens before use.
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A shaker-bottle option to consider if you want to make batter for a smaller batch. The pack contains 175 g; check what else you need to add and read the current label for allergen information.
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A multigrain mix for anyone looking to compare the grains used in their pancakes. The pack contains 400 g; check the current label for the types of grain, allergens and any ingredients you need to add.
If your child needs to avoid gluten, the allergen information on the current packaging is key to choosing a mix. Regular mixes may contain gluten-containing grains; also check any added ingredients and school arrangements.
No. These labels describe features of the mix, not the whole lunch. Check the ingredients and what else you’re packing; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends including vegetables or fruit and wholemeal options in primary school lunches, among other things.
A complete mix that only needs water means you have fewer ingredients to measure out. You still need to cook the pancakes, though. Also check the instructions: Jumbo says batter prepared in its Complete Shaker Bottle should be used straight away.
Use the online description to compare products, but check the current label when you buy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must be provided on pre-packed products; for a school lunch, preparation and any extra ingredients also matter.
