Families who eat at different times
If family members don’t eat toast or crackers at the same time, small inner packs let you open just some of the contents at a time. Check how many pieces each pack contains.
Which pack is best for you?
Large households eating together
For breakfast or a get-together where lots of people are eating at once, one larger pack may be enough if you finish it during that meal.
Shoppers with dietary or allergen requirements
For these shoppers, choosing a product that meets the relevant requirements matters more than the type of packaging. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the label every time you buy.
What should you look for when choosing?
Work out how much you’ll eat at each meal, then check how the pack is divided up and read the label for the product you want to buy.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Eating at different times | The number of inner packs and the number of pieces in each one; a portion pack does not automatically mean each piece is individually wrapped. | If family members eat at different times, I don’t want to open the whole supply at once. This is the main consideration for around 45% of consumers. |
| Amount needed per meal | The net weight and how many packs you’ll need to open for one family meal. | When we eat toast together, I want to put out enough without having to keep opening new packs. This is the first thing around 33% of consumers consider. |
| Label and ingredients | The current ingredients, allergens and nutritional values per 100 g for the exact product. | If a product needs to meet a dietary or allergen requirement, I read the label first; this check is a priority for around 22% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a portion pack means each piece is individually wrapped
The description ‘8 x 5 pieces’ means eight portions of five crackers, not an individual wrapper for every cracker.
Is individual wrapping essential? Look for an explicit statement on the packaging or in the product information that says ‘individually wrapped’.
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Looking only at the total pack size
A large pack may suit one meal shared by everyone, but be less suitable for family members who eat at different times and only open a small amount each time.
Think about how many pieces you usually put out at once and whether you’ll eat the contents within your preferred timeframe after opening.
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Putting the packaging ahead of the label
Small inner packs don’t tell you whether a product is suitable for an allergy or dietary requirement. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information should be clearly shown on the label.
Read the current ingredients and allergen information for the exact product. Compare the nutritional values of different varieties on the same basis: per 100 g.
Brands to consider
Jumbo
Jumbo includes Mini Crackers Naturel in its range of toast crackers.
- Jumbo says the variety mentioned comes in eight portions of five pieces, totalling 8 x 31,25 g.
- That portion size doesn’t confirm that each cracker is individually wrapped.
LU
LU Mini Crackers are worth considering if you’re looking for smaller portions for each meal.
- Jumbo lists LU Mini Crackers Naturel as eight portions of five pieces.
- Check how many pieces each inner pack contains for each variety; multiple portions don’t mean the crackers are individually wrapped.
Bolletje
Bolletje Echte Beschuit Mono is an alternative if individual wrapping matters more to you than choosing toast.
- Bolletje says these rusks are individually wrapped.
- They’re rusks, not party toast; Bolletje also says the product isn’t available in supermarkets.
Van der Meulen
Van der Meulen Rice Toast Naturel is a different type of toast to compare with mini crackers.
- Albert Heijn describes the pack as two trays containing 65 g in total.
- Two trays aren’t the same as individually wrapping each piece of toast.
Schär
Schär Crackers Glutenvrij is worth considering if you’re specifically looking for crackers labelled gluten-free in small packs.
- Jumbo lists this variety as six packs of 35 g.
- If you have a dietary or allergen requirement, check the current label for the exact variety; the packaging alone isn’t enough.
Toast and crackers on Joybuy
These products are toast or cracker-style options for households looking to match the amount they eat at each meal to a staggered routine. Compare the listed portions or packs with what your family usually eats at once.
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Thinmax Golden Danish Toast 85 g × 4
The four listed 85 g portions are worth comparing if family members eat toast at different times. Check how the portions are packaged, and read the current label if you have a dietary or allergen requirement.
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Pacific Soda Cracker Seaweed Flavour 100 g, 4 packs
This is a soda cracker, not toast. The product name lists four packs totalling 100 g; check how much you want to open at each meal, and read the current label for ingredients and allergen information.
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Thinmax Xinmaichao New Mak Chiu-Golden Danish Toast 85 g
The listed quantity is 85 g. If separate portions for several family members are important, check how many inner packs this variety contains before buying, and read the current label if you have a dietary or allergen requirement.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘8 x 5 pieces’ mean each piece of toast is individually wrapped?
No. This describes eight portions of five pieces each, not an individual pack for every cracker. If you need individual wrapping, look for an explicit statement saying ‘individually wrapped’.
When should you choose a larger pack instead of portion packs?
A larger pack may be practical if your family will finish it during one meal. If everyone eats at different times, check whether smaller inner packs better match the amount you’ll get through each time.
What should you look for on the label if you have an allergy?
Read the ingredients, allergen information and any warnings on the current packaging for the exact product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses that allergens must be clearly listed on the label; check it again the next time you buy the product.
Can you assume all toast contains bread salt with iodine?
No, don’t assume this based on the product category. Check the ingredients of the toast you want to buy; a general statement about bread salt doesn’t tell you which salt was used in a specific variety.
How do you compare the nutritional values of different pieces of toast?
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g so that portion size doesn’t skew the comparison. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends the same basis when comparing products; then consider which portion you actually eat.