Households that always eat the same flavour
A multipack is a good fit if several people regularly eat the same breakfast cereal. Check that you’ll use all the bags before their best-before dates and can store unopened packs in a dry place.
Who is a bulk pack suitable for?
People weighing up sweetness and ingredients
Compare sugars, fibre and wholegrain ingredients per 100 g. That way, you can look beyond a fibre claim or the wording on the front of the pack.
Households with different tastes or allergens to consider
Individual portions can be useful if not everyone wants to eat the same thing. Check the current ingredients and allergen information for each flavour and variant.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether your household wants a regular favourite, some variety or a different grain base. Then compare the packaging and nutritional information of products that suit the way you’ll use them.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size and how quickly you’ll use it | Check the total weight, number of individual bags, best-before date and storage instructions. | If the same flavour is often on the table, I want to use up the pack rather than leave it sitting around. Around 36% of consumers say using up a bulk pack is their top priority. |
| Ingredients | Compare similar products per 100 g for sugars, fibre and other nutritional values; read the ingredients list too. | When choosing a sweet breakfast, I want to know what’s in my usual portion, even if the pack carries a fibre claim. For around 29% of consumers, ingredients matter most. |
| Flavours and portions | Check which flavours are included and how many individual portions the pack contains. | If family members want different things or I take breakfast with me, a choice of portions is more useful than one large bag. Variety is the main priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information for each specific flavour and variant, including those in an assorted pack. | If I need to avoid an allergen, every pack in the mix must suit my dietary needs. For around 14% of consumers, checking this comes first. |
Common mistakes
-
Buying a multipack without checking the total quantity
Three individual 800 g bags, as in the Quaker Cruesli 4 nuts pack described by Albert Heijn, need plenty of storage space and a household that will keep eating that flavour.
Check the number of bags, best-before date and storage instructions before choosing a larger pack.
-
Treating a fibre claim as a verdict on the whole product
The Dutch Consumers’ Association points out that a product carrying a fibre claim can also be high in sugar. So the claim doesn’t tell you about the product’s overall nutritional value.
Check sugars, fibre and energy per 100 g, then see what your usual portion contains.
-
Confusing ‘no added sugars’ with sugar-free
A product can contain sugars that occur naturally. The AH Krokante muesli noten 0% suiker described by Albert Heijn also lists the sweetener maltitol and carries a warning about excessive consumption.
Check the ‘of which sugars’ line, ingredients and warnings for the exact variant.
-
Relying on the brand name alone when checking for allergens
Ingredients can vary between flavours. That’s why the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses the importance of clear allergen information on the label.
Read the current allergen information for every variant you want to buy.
Brands and product ranges compared
Quaker Cruesli
Crunchy breakfast cereals, including multipacks and variants marketed as having no added sugars.
- The Cruesli 4 nuts multipack described by Albert Heijn contains three 800 g packs. So you know the number of bags and total quantity up front.
- Check the ingredients and allergens for your chosen variant: the Nuts & Seeds variant described contains, among other things, cereals containing gluten, milk and nuts.
Kellogg's
Assorted packs for households looking for a choice of flavours and individual portions.
- The Variety pack described by Albert Heijn contains eight portions in four flavours.
- Check the nutritional information and allergens for the mix; the pack described lists wheat and barley.
Brinta
A grain-based breakfast that you prepare, rather than ready-to-eat crunchy breakfast cereal.
- According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Brinta Volkoren graanontbijt is made from wholemeal wheat flour and salt. You choose what to add to the base.
- The apple and raisin variant has different ingredients from the standard version. Both variants described contain wheat; also check the pack you choose for any warnings about other allergens.
Albert Heijn
Own-brand crunchy muesli variants that you can compare by ingredients and nutritional information.
- For the Krokante muesli noten 0% suiker described, you can check the label to see which sweetener and nuts are used.
- The variant lists maltitol and carries a warning about excessive consumption. Check the allergen information for the exact pack too.
Breakfast cereals and granola on Joybuy
These packs offer a few options for households that regularly eat crunchy breakfast cereal or granola: two multipacks with individual bags and one larger bag of Cruesli. Granola and Cruesli are different types of product, so compare their ingredients and nutritional information separately.
No image available
Holie's Crunchy Muesli Protein Chocolate – 6 × 400 g
For households that regularly eat chocolate muesli and want to split their supply between individual bags.
Before use, check the nutritional information, best-before date and allergens on the exact pack.
No image available
Holie's Granola Nuts & Seeds – 6 × 350 g
For anyone looking for a supply of granola with nuts and seeds; check that the flavour suits the breakfast you have in mind.
The pack contains six 350 g bags. Check the ingredients and allergens for the exact variant.
No image available
Quaker Zs Cruesli Nuts & Seeds – 720 g
For anyone who would rather buy one larger bag of Cruesli with nuts and seeds than a multipack.
Check the nutritional values, ingredients and allergens on the exact pack; don’t rely on the ‘Zs’ in the product name alone.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare two types of sweet breakfast cereal?
Compare like-for-like products per 100 g, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Look at sugars, fibre, energy, saturated fat and salt, among other things, then read the ingredients list and information per portion.
Does ‘no added sugars’ also mean sugar-free?
No. A product with no added sugars can contain sugars that occur naturally. This also applies to the Quaker Cruesli Nuts & Seeds variant described by Albert Heijn; check the ‘of which sugars’ line on the pack you buy.
Where can I find allergen information for packaged breakfast cereals?
Check the label on the exact pack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that designated allergens must be clearly listed on pre-packed foods; ingredients can vary between flavours in an assorted pack.
How should I store an opened large bag?
Follow the storage instructions for the product you’ve chosen and seal the pack properly after use. The product information described for Quaker recommends storing it in a cool, dry place; the information for Brinta says to close the pack properly after opening.
Can I use Nutri-Score to compare muesli with other breakfast products?
Use Nutri-Score mainly to compare products of the same type, such as two kinds of muesli. That’s the comparison approach set out by the Dutch Government; also check the nutritional information and ingredients for each product.