How do the options differ for different people?

People who need to avoid gluten

A gluten-free label is the starting point, not the end of your allergen checks. For example, Jumbo’s gluten-free spiced breakfast cake lists milk and lupin and warns that other allergens may be present.

People who want to avoid added sugars

They compare products with no added sugars, but should also check that the ingredients and allergen warnings are suitable. The Peijnenburg and PLUS varieties reviewed here both contain rye.

People who want to take a portion with them

An individually wrapped bar can be handy when you’re out and about. However, Snelle Jelle says its Zero variety contains rye and may contain milk, hazelnuts, almonds and other gluten-containing cereals.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the allergens you need to avoid. Then compare the sugar information and nutritional values of products that meet your requirements.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Allergens Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging, including any warnings about the possible presence of allergens. If I need to avoid rye or another allergen, I want to know whether it’s an ingredient and what warnings apply. For around 36% of consumers, checking allergens comes first.
Added and total sugars Compare the ingredients with the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g; ‘less sugar’ and ‘no added sugars’ don’t mean the same thing. I want to avoid added sugars without assuming the product contains no sugars at all. For around 29% of consumers, this distinction is the top priority.
Nutritional information Compare fibre, sugars and salt on the same basis: per 100 g and, where listed, per portion. When several products suit my allergen requirements, I want to compare their nutritional values without treating slices of different sizes as equivalent. For around 21% of consumers, this matters most.
Portion format Check whether the cake is pre-sliced or individually wrapped, and how much a slice or bar weighs. When I’m out and about, I want to take a portion with me without having to slice a cake myself. For around 14% of consumers, convenience makes the difference.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘Zero’ means ‘gluten-free’

    According to PLUS, PLUS Ontbijtkoek Zero contains rye flour and may contain wheat, barley and oats. The Zero label says nothing about whether it’s suitable for someone who needs to avoid gluten.

    Check the ingredients and allergen warnings first; only then consider the sugar information.

  • Assuming ‘gluten-free’ means ‘free from other allergens’

    According to Jumbo, the gluten-free spiced breakfast cake reviewed here contains milk and lupin and may contain, among other things, nuts, egg and sesame.

    Even with a gluten-free product, read the full allergen information and check the sugar content separately.

  • Assuming ‘no added sugars’ means ‘sugar-free’

    For its Naturel variety reviewed here, which has no added sugars, Peijnenburg lists 4,9 g of sugars per 100 g. The claim and the total sugar content answer different questions.

    Check both the ingredients and the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g and per portion.

  • Assuming every spiced breakfast cake contains added iodine

    The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine compounds may be present in bakery products through baker’s salt. This doesn’t mean that every spiced breakfast cake contains them.

    If iodine is relevant to your choice, ask the manufacturer about the ingredients of the specific product.

Brands and the spiced breakfast cakes reviewed

Peijnenburg

The Naturel sliced spiced breakfast cake reviewed here is an option if you want to avoid added sugars.

  • Peijnenburg lists 4,9 g of sugars and 17 g of fibre per 100 g for this variety.
  • The ingredients include rye flour; also check the rest of the allergen information on the packaging.

Snelle Jelle

The Zero spiced cake reviewed here is individually wrapped, making it easy to take with you.

  • The individual wrapping makes the portion size clear.
  • This variety contains rye; Snelle Jelle says it may also contain milk, hazelnuts, almonds and other gluten-containing cereals.

Jumbo

The reduced-sugar spiced breakfast cake reviewed here and the separate gluten-free spiced breakfast cake meet different needs.

  • The two varieties let you compare reduced sugar and gluten avoidance separately.
  • The reduced-sugar bar contains rye and wheat. The gluten-free spiced breakfast cake contains milk and lupin and may contain other allergens.

PLUS

The sliced Ontbijtkoek Zero reviewed here is an option to consider if you want to compare products with no added sugars.

  • PLUS lists 0 g of added sugars per 100 g for this variety.
  • The cake contains rye flour and, according to PLUS, may contain wheat, barley and oats.

Spiced breakfast cake on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is Zero spiced breakfast cake automatically gluten-free?

No. According to PLUS, PLUS Ontbijtkoek Zero contains rye flour and may contain wheat, barley and oats. If you need to avoid gluten, check that the specific product is labelled gluten-free and read the rest of its allergen information.

Does spiced breakfast cake with no added sugars still contain sugars?

It can. For its Naturel variety reviewed here, which has no added sugars, Peijnenburg lists 4,9 g of sugars per 100 g. As well as checking the claim, look at the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutritional information.

What should I do with a warning such as ‘may contain milk’?

Treat it as information about the possible presence of milk, not as a statement that milk is an ingredient. Follow your medical advice when assessing the warning in relation to your allergy, and check the current packaging.

Is the allergen information on an online shop enough?

Use the online information to compare products, but read the packaging of the product you buy before using it. PLUS warns that ingredients and allergen information may change.

Does all Dutch spiced breakfast cake contain iodine from baker’s salt?

That doesn’t follow from the rules for bakery products. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine compounds may be present in them through baker’s salt; you’ll need to check whether this applies to the specific product.