Who is this choice important for?

Fibre-conscious canteen buyer

You’re looking for a mix labelled as wholemeal and want to compare the ingredients and fibre values on a like-for-like basis.

Canteen manager with an allergen procedure

You serve pancakes unpackaged and need to be able to tell guests about allergens in the prepared pancakes before they buy.

Lunch planner looking for plant-based preparation options

You’re looking for a wholemeal mix that lists an alternative preparation method as well as the standard method using milk and eggs.

What should you look for?

First, check that the product is labelled as wholemeal and read the label. Then decide which allergens, additional ingredients and quantities suit your planned lunch service.

What to consider What to check before buying Who is this most important for?
Wholemeal and fibre Check that the product is labelled as wholemeal and compare the fibre per 100 g of prepared product, not per 100 g of dry mix. I want to choose a mix for lunch that is genuinely wholemeal and whose fibre value I can compare. Around 33% of consumers give this need priority.
Allergens Read the current label, including the specific cereals containing gluten and any statements about the possible presence of allergens. If guests need to avoid allergens, I want to know what the prepared pancakes contain before serving them. This clarity is a priority for around 27% of consumers.
Preparation Compare the amount of milk and eggs needed per pack, and check whether the manufacturer lists an alternative preparation method. I need to be able to organise the additional ingredients for a lunch service, rather than discovering a different method only once preparation has started. This is the main concern for around 20% of consumers.
Pack size Compare the pack weight with the stated yield in pancakes or portions. When planning the service, I want to know how many packs I’ll need for the quantity required. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this planning.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘multigrain’ means ‘wholemeal’

    Using several types of grain doesn’t automatically make a pancake mix wholemeal. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, a food may only be labelled as wholemeal if its grain ingredient consists entirely of wholemeal flour.

    For this lunch selection, choose a mix labelled as wholemeal. Assess a multigrain mix separately by checking its label.

  • Looking only at the dry mix

    The milk and eggs listed in the preparation instructions also determine which allergens are present in the prepared pancakes. The quantities required also vary between mixes.

    Read the instructions for the pack you’ve chosen and include all ingredients used in the allergen information for guests.

  • Sorting out allergen information only when serving

    According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, guests must be able to get allergen information before buying pancakes served unpackaged.

    Keep a record of the current labels and the ingredients used in preparation. Also check the requirements for any procedure that provides information verbally.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

AH Wholemeal Pancake Mix comes in a 300 g pack and, according to Albert Heijn, makes around 10 pancakes.

  • Alongside the standard method, Albert Heijn lists an option using a plant-based drink and apple purée or egg replacer.
  • The standard method calls for 700 ml of milk and 2 eggs; the mix contains wheat and gluten.

PLUS

PLUS Wholemeal Pancake Mix comes in a 400 g pack.

  • PLUS lists 75% wholemeal wheat flour and 20% wholemeal oat flour among the ingredients.
  • The stated preparation method requires 1,000 ml of milk and 4 eggs.

Koopmans

According to the product page on PLUS, the 400 g pack of Koopmans Wholemeal Pancakes makes 13 to 15 pancakes.

  • The prepared product is listed as containing 3 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The standard method calls for 900 ml of milk and 4 eggs; the mix contains cereals with gluten.

Lidl / Belbake

Lidl describes a Belbake pancake mix as multigrain. This does not mean the same as being labelled wholemeal.

  • Check the ingredients and product description before choosing this mix for a wholemeal lunch.

ALDI / Albona

Albona’s range at ALDI includes a plain pancake mix.

  • A plain mix isn’t wholemeal just because it’s described as plain. Check the label on the pack.

Related products on Joybuy

Relevant products will appear here soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is a multigrain pancake mix also wholemeal?

No, not automatically. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, a food may only be labelled as wholemeal if its grain ingredient consists entirely of wholemeal flour. So check that the product is labelled as wholemeal and read the ingredients; ‘multigrain’ on its own isn’t enough.

Can I use a wholemeal mix to make gluten-free pancakes?

Not just because it’s labelled as wholemeal. The wholemeal mixes discussed here list wheat or other cereals containing gluten. For a gluten-free menu, choose a mix specifically labelled as gluten-free and check the current label, as well as all the ingredients you add during preparation.

Can a canteen provide allergen information verbally?

Yes, provided the requirements for giving information verbally are met. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, staff must be able to give the information directly before purchase; it must be available to staff and inspectors in writing or electronically; and the point of sale must clearly tell customers that verbal information is available.