Consumers avoiding a specific allergen
You’re looking for a biscuit whose current ingredients and allergen information match your avoidance list. A warning about possible cross-contamination may also affect your choice.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Parents and carers looking for lunchbox portions
An individually wrapped portion is easy to pop into a lunchbox. Also check that the product is suitable for the allergens the child needs to avoid, and that the relevant information stays with the portion.
Households with different dietary needs
If not everyone avoids the same allergens, clearly identifiable portions can help prevent mix-ups. Check the allergen profile separately for each person before sharing a multipack.
What should you look for?
Start with the allergen that needs to be avoided. Then compare the individual portions and the total quantity with how you plan to use the biscuits.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Allergen match | Compare the ingredients, declared allergens and any warnings on the current packaging with your personal avoidance list. | I need to avoid a specific allergen and want to check whether the warnings also match my avoidance list. Around 50% of consumers prioritise this allergen match. |
| Individual portions | Check how many inner packs there are and how many biscuits each portion contains. See what allergen information remains available when you take a portion on its own. | For lunchboxes, I want to be able to pack a single portion without losing the allergen information. Around 30% of consumers prioritise individual portions. |
| Quantity and distribution | Compare the total quantity with the number of people who can eat the biscuits. Check whether an online multipack consists of separate items or contains individually wrapped portions. | If several people in my household share a supply, I want a quantity that suits those who can eat these biscuits. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘gluten-free’ means ‘free from all allergens’
A gluten-free biscuit may contain other allergens. According to Jumbo’s product information, Schär Butterkeks contains egg and milk and may contain lupin and soya.
Use a gluten-free label only to check whether gluten is avoided; for other allergens, read the full information on the current packaging.
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Comparing only the number of portions
Similar portion sizes don’t mean similar allergen profiles. Albert Heijn’s product information lists wheat and soya for Lotus Biscoff Snack Pack; Jumbo lists barley, oats and wheat among the allergens in its Granenbiscuits Naturel.
First decide who will be eating the biscuits and check the allergen information for those people. Only then look at the number of bags and biscuits per bag.
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Mistaking an online 3-pack for individually wrapped snack portions
An online multipack doesn’t necessarily contain individually wrapped portions. For example, Albert Heijn states that its Glutenvrij Chocolate Chip Cookies 3-pack is supplied as separate items.
Check whether the product information gives the number of inner packs and biscuits per pack, and inspect the physical packaging when your order arrives.
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Relying on allergen information you read previously
Ingredients and product information can change, even when the brand and product name stay the same. Albert Heijn therefore advises checking the packaging before eating the product.
With every new purchase, compare the current packaging with the allergens that need to be avoided.
Brands to consider
Lotus Biscoff
The standard speculoos biscuits are available in several pack sizes. According to Albert Heijn, the Snack Pack contains 8 bags, each with 2 biscuits.
- The individual bags make it easy to pack or share portions.
- The product information lists wheat and soya, so these standard speculoos biscuits aren’t suitable for anyone who needs to avoid those allergens.
Schär
Examples of gluten-free biscuits in portion packs include Butterkeks 4 x 41 g and Digestive Landtaler 3 x 50 g, as listed by Jumbo.
- The stated pack sizes make the number of portions clear.
- Gluten-free doesn’t say anything about other allergens: Butterkeks contains egg and milk and may contain lupin and soya; Digestive Landtaler contains soya and may contain lupin and egg.
Jumbo
According to its product information, Jumbo Granenbiscuits Naturel contains 9 portions of 2 biscuits.
- The number of portions makes the pack size clear before you buy.
- The product information lists barley, gluten, oats and wheat, and names almonds, hazelnuts, nuts and rye as possible allergens.
AH Glutenvrij
Albert Heijn offers products including biscuits in online 3-packs under the AH Glutenvrij range.
- The gluten-free range can be a useful starting point if you need to avoid gluten.
- An online 3-pack may be supplied as separate items, so it isn’t necessarily a box of individually wrapped snack portions. Check each product for other allergens too.
Biscuit options on Joybuy
These biscuits come in packaging or portion formats that may be useful for taking with you or sharing. First, compare the current allergen information with each person’s avoidance list. The portion format doesn’t determine whether a product is suitable for someone with an allergy.
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Lu Scholiertje biscuits with milk chocolate, 150 g
If you want to take biscuits with you or share them, check how many individual portions the pack contains and whether the allergen information remains available with a portion taken out of the pack.
If avoiding milk, wheat, soya or nuts, compare the current packaging, including any warnings, with your personal avoidance list.
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Oreo Ice Cream Matcha Flavour Sandwich Cookies, 97 g, 2 packs
The two packs may suit anyone who wants to take or share biscuits separately; check how many biscuits each pack contains.
When checking the current allergen information, pay particular attention to wheat, soya and milk. Also check whether the information appears on both inner packs.
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Oreo Raspberry & Blueberry Flavor Sandwich Cookies, 97 g, 2 individual packs
The two individual packs may be handy for taking with you or sharing; check how many biscuits each pack contains.
If you need to avoid wheat or soya, compare the current allergen information and any warnings with your personal avoidance list. Also check what information appears on the inner packs.
Frequently asked questions
Should I check the ingredients and allergens on pre-packed biscuits?
Yes. Compare the current labelling with the allergens the person eating the biscuits needs to avoid. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that pre-packed foods must list the allergens specified by law on the label. A general claim such as ‘gluten-free’ doesn’t replace checking the rest of the information.
Is a gluten-free biscuit suitable for every food allergy?
No. ‘Gluten-free’ doesn’t tell you whether other allergens are present. For example, according to Jumbo’s product information, Schär Butterkeks contains egg and milk and may contain lupin and soya.
What should I do if the packaging says ‘may contain’?
Take the warning into account when comparing the packaging with the allergens that need to be avoided. Such a statement refers to possible cross-contamination; follow the individual guidance that applies to the person eating the biscuits.
Can I rely on the allergen information on a retailer’s website?
Use it to make an initial selection, but check the current packaging again before eating the biscuits. Albert Heijn points out that product information can change and therefore advises checking the packaging.