Plain rice cakes are a sensible place to start when stocking the office with less sweet snacks: Albert Heijn lists 0.9 g of sugars per 100 g and 0 g of added sugars for AH Organic Plain Rice Cakes, while Jumbo lists 0.6 g of sugars per 100 g for its plain variety. Also compare the fibre, salt and allergens for the exact product, and follow the storage instructions on the pack once opened.
They’re looking for a snack to share in the office biscuit tin and want to be able to compare sugar content. Plain rice cakes are a good starting point: Albert Heijn and Jumbo list 0.9 g and 0.6 g of sugars per 100 g respectively for the plain varieties mentioned here.
They want to consider fibre content as well as sugar. Jumbo’s multigrain variety contains 4.9 g of fibre and 2.6 g of sugars per 100 g; check the salt content too before choosing it for the office.
It’s worth checking the ingredients and allergen statement on each specific pack. For example, Jumbo warns that its plain rice cakes may contain sesame and soya; Snack A Jacks Cheese contains milk.
For a less sweet office biscuit tin, start by comparing sugars per 100 g. Then decide which other factor matters most for sharing: fibre, allergens, or flavour and storage.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Less sweet | Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. Check the ingredients separately if you want to avoid added sugar. | When I want to mix up the sweet snacks at work, I look for rice cakes with low sugar content. This is the top priority for around 40% of consumers. |
| Fibre | Check fibre, sugars and salt on the same 100 g basis; ‘multigrain’ alone doesn’t mean a lower sugar content. | I’d rather choose based on fibre content than simply go for the lowest sugar figure. Around 30% of consumers give this the highest priority. |
| Allergens and dietary requirements | Read the ingredients and allergen warnings on the exact pack; check any dietary claims for each variety. | In our shared biscuit tin, it should be clear which cakes are suitable for colleagues with specific dietary requirements. This is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
| Flavour and storage | For flavoured varieties, compare the salt per 100 g too, and follow the storage instructions on the pack once opened. | I want some variety in our office supplies, but the rice cakes also need to keep well once opened. Around 10% of consumers put this first. |
Plain, multigrain and flavoured varieties can have different sugar levels. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing similar products per 100 g.
Check ‘of which sugars’ in the nutrition table, and look at the ingredients too if added sugar is something you want to avoid.
Other figures can differ too. Jumbo lists less than 0.01 g of salt per 100 g for its plain rice cakes, compared with 0.65 g for its multigrain variety and 0.98 g for its sea salt variety.
Decide whether you’re mainly looking at sugars, fibre or salt, and compare the relevant figures per 100 g each time.
Even a plain variety may carry a ‘may contain’ warning: Jumbo says its plain rice cakes may contain sesame and soya. Jumbo lists milk as an allergen in Snack A Jacks Cheese.
Check the statement on each specific pack before putting rice cakes out for everyone to share.
Storage instructions matter for office supplies too. Albert Heijn recommends storing its organic plain rice cakes in a sealed tin once opened.
Use a clean, dry, airtight tin and follow the instructions on the pack.
Albert Heijn’s organic plain rice cakes are a specific option to assess if you’re looking for an uncoated variety and want to compare sugars and ingredients.
Jumbo lists separate nutritional information for its plain, multigrain and sea salt varieties, so you can compare the exact products side by side.
PLUS lists rice cakes and corn cakes as separate product types, and offers a multigrain variety under its own brand.
ALDI Netherlands lists Goud Gebakken rice cakes with sea salt, as well as rice cakes with various coatings.
Lidl includes rice cakes and other cakes in its Sondey snack range.
No. ‘Of which sugars’ shows the total amount of sugars in the nutrition table. Compare this figure per 100 g, and check the ingredients too if you want to avoid added sugar.
This lets you compare products using the same quantity, rather than portions that may vary in size. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing similar products per 100 g.
Plain rice cakes can be a good fit if you’re looking for a less sweet option, but check the exact pack before sharing them. For example, Jumbo says its plain variety may contain sesame and soya.
Follow the storage instructions on the pack and seal the opened rice cakes well. Albert Heijn recommends storing its organic plain rice cakes in a sealed tin once opened.
Yes, if salt is a factor in your choice. Jumbo lists less than 0.01 g of salt per 100 g for its plain rice cakes and 0.98 g for its sea salt variety, so compare the exact varieties on the same basis.
