Before choosing a biscuit bar or small biscuit portion, check the label for allergens and ask about the school’s rules on food brought from home. Then choose packaging that suits the occasion: one bar or a small packet of biscuits. For the portion you have in mind, also compare the sugars, fibre and any warnings on the current label.
The product category alone isn’t enough to help you choose a school snack if your child has an allergy. The Lotus Biscoff, AH and LU varieties reviewed contain cereals containing gluten; other allergens present and warnings about possible traces vary by product. Check the current label and the school’s rules.
A small packet containing two biscuits is different from a individually wrapped bar. Albert Heijn lists the Lotus Biscoff Snack Pack as eight small packets, each with two biscuits; Jumbo describes LU Time Out Naturel as six packs, each containing two biscuits. Check how much you actually want to pack.
If you’re keeping an eye on sugars and fibre, compare the nutrition information per 100 g with that per portion. Albert Heijn lists AH Kruidkoekreep zero as containing 4.9 g of sugars and 16 g of fibre per 100 g. Read the ingredients and any warnings about polyols too; one nutritional value alone won’t tell you whether a bar is right for a child.
Start with allergens and the school’s rules. Then compare the nutrition information and the actual contents of one wrapper, rather than relying on the front of the pack or the number of items in the box.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens and school rules | Read the allergens listed and any ‘may contain’ statements on the label; check what’s allowed in the classroom. | When I choose something for the school bag, I need to know whether the ingredients and classroom rules allow it. This is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Nutrition information | Compare sugars, fibre, saturated fat and salt per 100 g and per portion; read any warnings about polyols. | I want to know what one snack portion contains, not just what the wording on the front suggests. Around 29% of consumers give this comparison top priority. |
| Portion and packaging | Check how many individually wrapped portions there are and how many biscuits or bars each wrapper contains. | For a school break, I want to pack a sealed portion without having to divide up biscuits at home. This matters most to around 21% of consumers. |
| Where to shop | Check which variety is available at your chosen retailer and read the label on that specific pack. | I want to be able to find a suitable variety at the shop where I do my food shopping. Around 14% of consumers put this practical consideration first. |
Albert Heijn lists wheat, soya and cereals containing gluten for Lotus Biscoff Snack Pack. A claim about animal-derived ingredients tells you nothing about whether these allergens are avoided.
Read the allergen information and any ‘may contain’ statements on the pack you’re buying.
According to Albert Heijn, AH Kruidkoekreep zero contains xylitol. The product information warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Compare the nutrition information per portion and read the ingredients and usage warnings before packing the bar.
A box containing several items doesn’t automatically tell you how many are in each wrapper. According to Albert Heijn, Lotus Biscoff Snack Pack contains two biscuits per small packet; Jumbo also lists two biscuits per pack for LU Time Out Naturel.
Check the number of wrappers and the contents of each one separately.
Albert Heijn describes a Snack Pack containing eight small packets of two speculoos biscuits, as well as a chocolate variety with six packs of three biscuits.
The own-brand range includes the AH Kruidkoekreep naturel and AH Kruidkoekreep zero varieties reviewed. These are different products, not interchangeable labels.
For the LU Time Out products reviewed, Jumbo provides information on portions, ingredients, allergens and nutritional values.
Lidl Netherlands listed biscuit bars in packs of six, including raisin gingerbread and ontbijtkoek with less sugar.
Among its snacks, ALDI Netherlands lists different products for school breaks, including milk biscuits and muesli bars.
These products include biscuits in small packs and biscuit bars that you could consider for a school break. For each product, check that the portion, allergen information and school rules are right for you.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you want to pack two biscuits per snack. Check the current label for cereals containing gluten, soya and statements about possible other allergens, and make sure the portion format suits your plans.
Image unavailable
A milk chocolate variety for anyone looking for a small biscuit portion. Before packing, check how many biscuits are in each wrapper and read the label for milk, wheat, soya, cereals containing gluten and possible nuts.
Image unavailable
Speculaas biscuits to consider if you want to take several small portions with you. Check how many biscuits are in each small packet and read the label for wheat, milk, egg and other allergen statements.
Image unavailable
A biscuit bar to compare if you’re specifically looking for a bar rather than loose biscuits. Check whether all six bars are individually wrapped and read the current label for ingredients, allergens and nutritional values.
Image unavailable
A flavoured variety in two separate packs for anyone who would rather take biscuits than a bar. Check how many biscuits are in each pack and read the current label for wheat, soya and any other relevant allergens.
Don’t automatically make a biscuit bar your everyday choice. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises offering children aged 4 to 12 foods from the Wheel of Five for snacks too. Consider the portion and what else your child will eat that day.
According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for prepacked products must appear on the label. Read the packaging for your chosen variety, including any statements about possible traces, before packing it.
No. Check the portion, other nutritional values, ingredients and allergens too. For AH Kruidkoekreep zero, Albert Heijn lists xylitol and a warning about a possible laxative effect if consumed in excess.
Follow the storage and usage instructions on the pack you’ve chosen. Before packing it, check that the wrapper is intact and that its contents are the portion you want to give your child.
