Who is this for?

Organisers planning a shared tea break

Compare pack weight and stated portions with the number of biscuits you plan to serve, rather than treating a retail pack as a fixed number of conference portions.

Organisers accommodating dietary requirements

Identify a suitable alternative against each declared requirement. A gluten-free label does not resolve separate milk, nut or peanut concerns.

Caterers managing allergen information

Keep the delivered packs or accurate, pack-specific ingredient and allergen information accessible when biscuits are opened for service.

What should you check before ordering?

Set the portions you intend to offer, then check the exact pack’s serving information and allergen statement before deciding how many to order.

Priority What to check Your needs
Portion planning Compare pack weight with a stated biscuit count or serving size. Sainsbury’s lists approximately 30 servings for its 300g Ginger Snaps; Tesco states a 10g biscuit weight for its 300g Ginger Nuts; McVitie’s lists approximately 25 biscuits in its 250g pack. I need enough for the planned break without assuming every attendee will take a biscuit.
Dietary suitability Check the full label against each declared requirement. The standard Tesco and McVitie’s ginger nuts contain wheat. Waitrose’s gluten-free stem ginger cookies may contain nuts; M&S Made Without Wheat Stem Ginger Snaps contain milk and are not suitable for people with nut or peanut allergy. A guest needs an identifiable gluten-free option, or I need to check a separate allergy requirement before choosing their biscuits.
Service information Check the allergen details on the packs delivered. Keep packaging or an accurate pack-specific record accessible if biscuits are served loose. Once the packs are opened, guests still need a way to check ingredients and allergens.

Serving mistakes to avoid

  • Treating a retail pack as a fixed number of conference portions

    Stated quantities use different measures: Sainsbury’s gives approximately 30 servings for 300g, while McVitie’s gives approximately 25 biscuits for 250g. Neither figure predicts how many attendees will take one.

    Set a planned portion allowance for the event and use the exact pack’s stated information to calculate the order.

  • Assuming gluten-free means suitable for every allergy

    Waitrose Free From Gluten Stem Ginger Cookies may contain nuts. M&S Made Without Wheat Stem Ginger Snaps contain milk and are not suitable for people with nut or peanut allergy.

    Check the delivered pack against the guest’s declared requirement, then identify and separate the alternative during service.

  • Discarding the packs after putting biscuits out

    Guests may then be unable to check which ingredients and allergens apply to the biscuits being served. GOV.UK guidance for community and charity events recommends retaining packaging so people with food hypersensitivities can check ingredients they avoid.

    Keep the original packs or an accurate, current ingredient and allergen record beside the service area.

Relevant brand and retailer options

Sainsbury’s

Its Ginger Snaps are a 300g standard pack with approximately 30 servings stated on the Sainsbury’s listing.

  • The stated serving count can help plan a shared break.
  • This product contains wheat; check the delivered pack’s ingredients before service.

Tesco

Tesco Ginger Nut Biscuits come in a 300g pack; the Tesco listing states a 10g biscuit weight.

  • The stated biscuit weight offers a basis for approximate portion planning.
  • The product contains wheat flour and wheat semolina, despite being labelled suitable for vegans.

McVitie’s

McVitie’s Ginger Nuts are a 250g branded pack; the Tesco listing states approximately 25 biscuits per pack.

  • A stated approximate biscuit count helps when planning portions.
  • The pack contains wheat and is smaller than the listed 300g standard options.

Waitrose

Waitrose Free From Gluten Stem Ginger Cookies are a 150g gluten-free alternative, rather than a standard ginger nut.

  • The product is labelled gluten free and vegan.
  • The label says it may contain nuts; check suitability for the individual guest.

M&S

M&S lists standard Ginger Snaps and a separate Made Without Wheat Stem Ginger Snaps product.

  • The Made Without Wheat product is labelled gluten free.
  • The standard Ginger Snaps contain wheat. The Made Without Wheat product contains milk and is not suitable for people with nut or peanut allergy.

Ginger biscuits on Joybuy

These smaller Border Biscuits packs are ginger-biscuit options for a conference break. Use their pack weights when planning quantities, and check the delivered labels against guests’ allergen requirements.

Border Biscuits Dark Chocolate Gingers 150g pack

Border Biscuits Dark Chocolate Gingers 150g

A 150g ginger-biscuit pack to factor into the planned portions for a conference break.

The product information identifies wheat, milk and soya, with possible egg and nut presence. Check the delivered pack before offering it to guests with allergen requirements.

View on Joybuy
Border Biscuits Fiery Ginger Crunch 135g pack

Border Biscuits Fiery Ginger Crunch 135g

A 135g ginger-biscuit pack; plan the number of packs around the portions intended for the break.

The product information identifies wheat and says it may contain eggs, nuts, soya and dairy. Check the delivered pack before serving guests with allergen requirements.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

How many ginger-biscuit packs should I order for a conference?

Work from your attendee count and planned portions, then use the exact pack’s stated quantities. Sainsbury’s lists approximately 30 servings for its 300g Ginger Snaps, Tesco states a 10g biscuit weight for its 300g Ginger Nuts, and McVitie’s lists approximately 25 biscuits in its 250g pack. Allow for the other refreshments and how biscuits will be offered rather than assuming every attendee takes one.

Are standard ginger nuts suitable for a gluten-free guest?

The listed Tesco and McVitie’s standard ginger nuts contain wheat, so choose a product specifically labelled gluten free for that requirement and check its full allergen statement. Waitrose’s gluten-free stem ginger cookies may contain nuts; M&S Made Without Wheat Stem Ginger Snaps contain milk and are not suitable for people with nut or peanut allergy.

Should I keep the packaging after opening the biscuits?

Keep the delivered packs or an accurate, current record of their ingredients and allergens accessible during service. GOV.UK event guidance recommends retaining packaging so people with food hypersensitivities can check ingredients they avoid.

What allergen information does a conference caterer need to provide?

For food businesses, GOV.UK guidance says allergen information must be provided for both prepacked and non-prepacked food and drink; Food Standards Scotland states the same core requirement for Scottish food businesses. If biscuits are served loose, keep accurate information for the products being offered accessible to guests, and check the rules that apply to the event’s service format.