If you don’t want to open a whole roll for one tea break, a small portion pack could be just what you need. A 23 g bag, such as Snack A Jacks’ rice and corn snack, doesn’t necessarily mean that each wafer is individually wrapped, though. If you’re looking for plain rice cakes to top yourself, check both the ingredients and the number of wafers in each inner pack.
If you’d rather open one bag with your tea than a whole roll, check how many wafers it contains. Snack A Jacks lists small portion packs, but that doesn’t tell you whether the wafers inside the bag are individually wrapped.
A neutral base lets you choose what to serve with your tea. Zonnatura lists organic brown rice and salt as ingredients in its plain rice cakes; check the packaging separately if you need small portions.
Check the current label for each flavour. PLUS lists milk as an allergen in Snack A Jacks Sour Cream & Chive and notes that it may contain wheat, rye and oats.
First, decide how many wafers you want to open with one cup of tea. Then choose between a snack that’s ready to serve and a plain rice cake you can top yourself.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Portion and packaging | Check how many inner bags there are and how many wafers each contains. If individually wrapped wafers are essential, look for an explicit statement that each wafer is wrapped separately. | I want to open a small portion with one cup of tea and leave the rest unopened. Portion size is the top priority for around 50% of consumers. |
| Flavour and serving | Choose between a flavoured snack that’s ready to serve and a plain rice cake to top yourself. Check the ingredients of flavoured varieties. | If I want something to serve with my tea without adding toppings, the flavour of the snack matters most to me. This is the main consideration for around 30% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients and allergen information, especially if you’re switching from a plain variety to a flavoured one. | I want to know what’s in a different flavour and which allergens are listed before buying. Checking the label is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
A product name such as AH rice cake portion pack, or Jumbo’s ‘3 x 3 pieces’ description, doesn’t tell you how many wafers are in each inner bag.
Check the packaging or a clear photo of it. If every wafer needs to be individually wrapped, look for an explicit ‘individually wrapped’ statement.
The Snack A Jacks Sour Cream & Chive portion pack listed by PLUS is a flavoured rice and corn snack and contains milk. Zonnatura lists brown rice and salt as ingredients in its plain rice cakes.
Compare the ingredients and allergens for the exact variety you’re buying, rather than relying on the flavour name or pack size alone.
As a precaution, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving children rice or rice products every day, due to possible exposure to arsenic over long periods of frequent consumption.
When choosing snacks for children, alternate rice products with other suitable options.
Flavoured rice and corn snacks for anyone who wants a small portion ready to serve with tea.
Plain rice cakes for anyone who likes to choose their own toppings to enjoy with tea.
Own-brand range that includes a product called AH rice cake portion pack.
Own-brand range that includes plain rice cakes and coated varieties.
No. A portion pack could also be one bag containing several wafers. Check how many wafers are in each inner bag, and look for ‘individually wrapped’ if separate wrapping is essential for you.
Seal the pack well after opening and follow the storage instructions on the label. Joybuy says that sealing a Snack A Jacks product well helps keep it fresh; Jumbo advises storing its plain rice cakes in a cool, dry place.
Read the allergen information on the current pack for the exact variety. PLUS lists milk as an allergen in Snack A Jacks Sour Cream & Chive and notes that it may contain wheat, rye and oats; don’t assume another flavour has the same ingredients.
As a precaution, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving children rice or rice products, including rice cakes, every day. So, alternate them with other suitable snacks.
