For a lunch menu with fibre in mind, start by choosing a mix labelled as wholemeal, then check the ingredients for the complete recipe. Both PLUS and Koopmans offer a wholemeal pancake mix. Which one is better suited to your lunch service depends on factors such as the milk and eggs required, the expected yield and the allergen information guests receive before buying. A multigrain mix is not automatically a wholemeal alternative.
You want to choose a mix labelled as wholemeal, rather than relying on the colour of the pancake or the word ‘multigrain’. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholegrain products contain more fibre than comparable products made with refined flour.
You serve prepared pancakes unpackaged to guests. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, they must be able to get information about any allergens present before buying. Remember to include both the mix and any added ingredients.
You want to know how much batter and how many pancakes a batch will make, and how much milk, how many eggs and how much cooking fat you’ll need. Test the yield using your own pan and portion size before planning a large lunch service.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal labelling and ingredients | Check the product description and ingredients list. Don’t assume multigrain means wholemeal: the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority sets requirements for the grain content of products described as wholemeal. | If I want to offer a fibre-conscious lunch, I want to be able to see which grain ingredients are in the mix. Around 36% of consumers put checking that a product is wholemeal first. |
| Allergens at the serving point | Record the mix, milk, eggs and any toppings for each recipe. For unpackaged pancakes, make sure guests can get allergen information before buying, as required by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority. | With a changing lunch menu, I want to be able to tell guests about the ingredients in the pancakes being served. Around 29% of consumers put this need for information first. |
| Preparing food during the lunch rush | Check the stated yield and additional ingredients required, then try the recipe using your own pan and portion size. | When lots of guests arrive at once, I want to know how many pancakes the team can make and serve. For around 21% of consumers, this predictability is their main concern. |
| Quantities for the complete recipe | Compare the pack size with the specified quantities of milk, eggs and cooking fat for the number of portions you plan to make. | For a planned lunch, I want to have all the ingredients ready in the right quantities and on time. Around 14% of consumers prioritise this recipe planning. |
A mix can contain several types of grain without being a wholemeal mix. PLUS’s product information for Koopmans Pannenkoekenmix bio meergranen, for example, lists 78% wheat flour and 16% oat flour.
If you want to describe your offering as wholemeal, check both the product description and the ingredients list. You can offer an organic multigrain mix as a separate option if you wish.
The pancakes you serve also contain the ingredients added during preparation. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, guests must be able to get allergen information before buying unpackaged food.
Keep the information at the serving point up to date for the complete recipe, including toppings, and make sure guests know where to find it.
The wholemeal mix and the organic multigrain mix are different options. Compare their ingredients before using them for the same lunch menu.
The own-label range includes a 400 g pancake mix labelled as wholemeal.
AH Mix voor pannenkoeken volkoren comes in a 300 g pack, which is useful when planning smaller batches.
Jumbo offers a 400 g Mix voor Pannenkoeken Volkoren.
No, multigrain doesn’t automatically mean wholemeal. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority sets requirements for the grain content of products described as wholemeal. For example, according to PLUS’s product information, Koopmans Pannenkoekenmix bio meergranen contains 78% wheat flour. So check the description and ingredients of the specific mix.
Guests must be able to get information about any allergens in the pancakes being served before buying. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, rules apply to unpackaged foods. For cereals containing gluten, state which cereals are present, and keep the information up to date for the recipe you use.
No, base your information on the pancake as you serve it. The wholemeal mixes mentioned require milk and eggs to be added to the batter. Include any toppings and other ingredients used when preparing information for guests.
Using your own pan and portion size, test how many pancakes you can make and how long serving them takes. PLUS’s product information states that Koopmans Pannenkoekenmix volkoren makes 13–15 pancakes per pack. Use this figure to help with planning, rather than assuming every canteen will get the same yield.
