Caterers providing grab-and-go breaks
If you’re preparing a sealed snack for each attendee, small individual packs are more practical to hand out than rice cakes from a shared pack. Just check how many rice cakes each pack contains.
Which pack is right for you?
Organisers dealing with a range of allergen queries
If you’re offering different flavours or taking snacks out of their outer packaging, you’ll need to be able to find and share the ingredient and allergen information for each variety you choose.
Caterers serving snacks themselves
If staff are handing out the rice cakes just before the break, a larger pack may be enough. Follow the packaging instructions for storing any opened stock.
What should you look for?
First decide whether each attendee needs a sealed individual portion or whether staff will serve the rice cakes. Then compare the inner packaging and the information that needs to be available when handing them out.
Sealed individual packs
Choose these: if attendees will help themselves to a snack or take one away; Jumbo lists Snack a Jacks Minis in a 23 g individual pack.
Bear in mind: an individual snack pack does not necessarily mean that each rice cake is wrapped separately.
Multipack with individual portions
Choose this: if you want to split stock into smaller, sealed portions. Haust states that its milk chocolate rice cakes come in four inner packs of two.
Bear in mind: once an inner pack is opened, you’ll have several rice cakes left to hand out.
Large pack
Choose this: if staff will serve the rice cakes rather than giving each attendee a sealed pack.
Bear in mind: an opened pack needs careful stock management; PLUS advises storing its plain rice cakes in an airtight container after opening.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sealed portions to hand out | Check how many sealed inner packs there are and how many rice cakes each one contains. | If attendees are taking a snack away, I want to give them a sealed portion without opening a shared pack. For around 44% of consumers, this is the most important consideration when serving snacks. |
| Allergens and ingredients | Check the latest label for each flavour, including warnings about the possible presence of allergens. | If someone asks about ingredients, I want to be able to show them where to find the information for each variety served. Around 33% of consumers give this the highest priority. |
| Portions and stock | Compare the number of portions you can serve and the storage instructions after opening. | When staff are handing out the rice cakes, I want to know how many packs to open and what I can store afterwards. Managing portions and leftovers is the top priority for around 23% of consumers. |
Common pitfalls
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Assuming an individual pack contains just one rice cake
An inner pack may contain several rice cakes. Albert Heijn lists its former Rijstwafel Portiepack as containing four portions of five rice cakes; Haust lists four portions of two for its milk chocolate variety.
Before ordering, check how many sealed inner packs there are, how many rice cakes each one contains and how many portions you can serve in total.
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Using allergen information for a different flavour
Ingredients and allergens vary between varieties. Information for a milk chocolate rice cake cannot be applied to a plain or seasoned variety.
Keep the latest label information for each variety you choose and make it available when serving.
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Comparing only the number of rice cakes in each pack
A pack containing lots of rice cakes does not necessarily provide the same number of sealed portions. With a large pack, staff will also need to open it and serve the rice cakes.
Count the usable portions for your expected number of attendees and decide whether they will help themselves or be served by staff.
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Treating an old packaging example as an available product
Albert Heijn’s Rijstwafel Portiepack shows how a multipack can be divided up, but its product page states that it has been discontinued.
Use that format as a point of comparison and check whether the product you actually want to order is available.
Brands as a guide to packaging
Snack a Jacks
Jumbo lists Minis Sweet Chilli as a small 23 g snack portion.
- A sealed pack works well as an individual snack portion; check separately how many rice cakes it contains.
- Jumbo states that this flavour may contain cereals containing gluten, oats, rye and wheat.
Albert Heijn
The former Rijstwafel Portiepack is an example of a multipack with four inner portions of five rice cakes.
- This format shows why one portion is not the same as one individually wrapped rice cake.
- Albert Heijn lists this product as discontinued, so it is not currently available to order.
Haust
Haust says its milk chocolate rice cakes come in four portions of two.
- The stated inner-pack format helps you plan to serve smaller portions.
- Haust says this variety is gluten-free, but its ingredients include milk and whey. Check the latest label before serving.
PLUS
PLUS sells plain rice cakes in a 130 g pack, a different format from a sealed individual portion for each attendee.
- A large pack may be worth considering when staff are serving the rice cakes.
- PLUS advises storing the rice cakes in an airtight container after opening.
Goud Gebakken
ALDI lists its sea salt rice cakes in a 130 g pack containing 17 pieces.
- The stated number of rice cakes helps you plan staff-served portions.
- That number does not mean each rice cake is in its own sealed inner pack.
Joybuy products for staff-served catering
Consider these rice cakes if staff will be handing out the snacks. If you need a sealed portion for each attendee, check the inner packaging of your chosen variety before buying.
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Snack A Jacks Smooth Caramel Rice Waffles, 140 g
An option for staff to serve; check whether the pack provides the number of sealed portions you need.
140 g pack. Before serving, check the latest allergen information, including details about soya and the possible presence of milk and sesame.
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Snack A Jacks Barbecue Pepper Rice Wafers, 103 g
An option for staff-served catering; before buying, check whether the portions are individually sealed if attendees need to take them away.
103 g pack. Check the latest allergen information for this flavour, including details about milk, sesame and soya.
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Snack a Jacks Rice Wafers Choc Chip, 166 g
An option when staff are handing out the rice cakes; check the inner packaging if each attendee needs a sealed portion.
166 g pack. Before serving, check the latest allergen information for milk and soya, and the possible presence of sesame.
Frequently asked questions
Does each rice cake for conference catering need to be individually wrapped?
No, it depends on how they’re served. If attendees are taking a snack away, a sealed portion for each person is a clear choice; a larger pack may work when staff are serving them. Always check whether an individual pack contains one rice cake or several.
Does ‘individual pack’ mean that each rice cake is wrapped separately?
No. Albert Heijn states that its former multipack contained five rice cakes per inner portion, while Haust says its milk chocolate variety contains two per inner portion. If each attendee needs one individually wrapped rice cake, ask how many rice cakes are in each sealed pack.
How do I provide allergen information when serving the snacks?
Make sure attendees can access the information for the exact variety being served. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergen information for prepacked products appears on the label, while information for non-prepacked products, including catering, must be provided to consumers in another way. So keep the latest packaging information to hand when serving.
What should I check just before ordering?
Check availability, how the inner packaging is arranged and the latest label for your chosen flavour. A previously listed pack format is useful as an example, but it doesn’t tell you whether the same product is currently available to order.