Who is this choice important for?

Host catering for a specific allergen

You’re looking for biscuits whose ingredients and any warnings are suitable for what your guest needs to avoid. A general claim on the front of the pack is no substitute for checking.

Shopper looking for a gluten-free option

You want to offer gluten-free biscuits, but you’re also checking whether other ingredients or warnings matter to your guests. The gluten-free product examples reviewed here differ in this respect.

Organiser of a shared snack table

You’re putting out a selection of snacks and want to keep the packaging easy to identify, serve portions separately and use different serving utensils for each product.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, find out what your guests need to avoid. Then consider the packaging and how easy the biscuits are to share. A large bag, a gluten-free label and individually wrapped portions each answer a different question.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this most important for?
Specific allergen Ask what the guest needs to avoid, then read the ingredients list and any warnings on the current packaging. If a guest needs to avoid a particular allergen, I want to know whether it’s listed on the pack before choosing. For an estimated 36% of consumers, matching a specific allergen is the top priority.
Gluten-free label Check the label as well as the other ingredients and allergen information for that exact variant. When gluten is my first selection criterion, I don’t want to overlook the fact that a gluten-free biscuit may contain other relevant allergens. Around 29% of consumers put this gluten check first.
Serving separately Check whether portions can be kept clearly separate, and use dedicated serving utensils for different snacks. When there are several snacks on the table, I want to stop suitable biscuits coming into contact with other products. This is the main concern for an estimated 21% of consumers.
Quantity and ease of sharing Compare the net weight and number of portions only once you’ve found products suitable for your guests. Once I’ve checked the allergens, I want to be able to serve enough biscuits without losing track. For around 14% of consumers, this practical planning is the biggest consideration.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘gluten-free’ means ‘free from all allergens’

    A gluten-free biscuit may contain other relevant allergens. For example, Jumbo lists almond, egg, lupin, milk and soya in its gluten-free filled biscuit.

    Compare the full allergen information for the product you’ve chosen with what each guest needs to avoid.

  • Choosing the large pack first

    For the Lotus Biscoff Speculoos pack reviewed, Albert Heijn lists around 32 biscuits. That number says nothing about whether they’re suitable for a guest with a specific food allergy.

    Check the allergens before deciding how many packs or portions you’ll need.

  • Serving different biscuits with the same tongs

    When you’re serving snacks, different products can come into contact through shared serving utensils. Anaphylaxis UK advises using separate utensils for different products when serving food to a group.

    Set suitable biscuits apart, keep their packaging available and use separate serving utensils for each group of snacks.

  • Relying on the label from a previous purchase

    What matters is the information on the pack you’re actually going to serve, not just what you remember from a previous purchase.

    Read the packaging again when you buy the biscuits, and keep it available when serving for guests who want to check it themselves.

Brands and product ranges to consider

Use these product examples to compare pack formats and labels, not as proof that an entire range is suitable for every allergy.

Lotus Biscoff

Albert Heijn lists Lotus Biscoff Speculoos in a 250 g pack containing around 32 biscuits.

  • The stated number of biscuits helps when planning for a larger group.
  • Check the ingredients and allergens on the current packaging before choosing these regular biscuits for your guests.

AH Glutenvrij

Albert Heijn’s AH Glutenvrij range includes almond biscuits and oat biscuits. The product page states that the almond biscuits are made in a completely gluten-free environment.

  • The gluten-free label gives you a focused starting point when gluten needs to be avoided.
  • Check the other ingredients and allergens for each variant too; the label doesn’t cover every food allergy.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij

Jumbo’s Lekker Vrij van Gluten range includes speculaas, among other products.

  • The range makes it easier to look specifically for gluten-free biscuits.
  • According to Jumbo, a separate gluten-free filled biscuit contains almond, egg, lupin, milk and soya, and may contain sesame. Always read the label for the variant you choose.

Schär

Jumbo lists Schär Digestive Landtaler as gluten-free biscuits in a pack of 3 × 50 g.

  • The separate packs can make serving easier to manage.
  • According to Jumbo, these Digestive Landtaler contain soya and may contain lupin and egg. The pack format doesn’t change this allergen information.

Biscuits on Joybuy

This biscuit is worth considering if you’re looking for a pack to share. Before buying, check that the allergens in this variant are suitable for the guests you’re putting the biscuits out for.

Lu Scholiertje Milk Chocolate Biscuits, 150 g

Lu Scholiertje Milk Chocolate Biscuits, 150 g

When sharing these biscuits, checking the allergens matters more than the 150 g pack size. This variant contains milk, wheat, soya and cereals containing gluten, and also carries a warning that it may contain nuts. Check the current label before serving.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Do allergens have to be listed on packaged biscuits?

Yes. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority requires 14 allergens to be declared on prepacked foods. The European Commission says allergens must be highlighted in the ingredients list. Read the list for the specific product you plan to serve.

Are gluten-free biscuits suitable for every food allergy?

No. Gluten-free doesn’t mean free from other allergens. For example, Jumbo lists almond, egg, lupin, milk and soya in a gluten-free filled biscuit. Always compare the full product information with what your guest needs to avoid.

What should I do if a biscuit carries a ‘may contain’ warning?

Take the warning into account when choosing food for a guest who needs to avoid that allergen. You can’t tell from the front of the pack whether the product fits their personal guidance; if in doubt, let the guest check the current information themselves.

Can I rely on the product page for biscuits ordered online?

Use the product page to compare options in advance, but also read the packaging you receive before serving. That way, your choice is based on the ingredients and warnings for the product that will actually be on the table.

How can I serve suitable biscuits alongside other snacks?

Keep the biscuits and their packaging clearly separate, and use different serving utensils for different snacks. This follows Anaphylaxis UK’s advice not to use the same utensils for different products when serving food to a group.