If you have coeliac disease, first choose a chocolate biscuit whose current packaging says ‘gluten-free’ or displays a gluten-free symbol. Only then consider portion size. According to Jumbo, a Schär pack contains three biscuits, and retailer Glutenvrijemarkt also describes Céréal packs of three. These are small portions, but that doesn’t confirm that each biscuit is individually wrapped.
You check the gluten-free statement, ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging, even if you’ve bought the biscuit before. The Dutch Coeliac Society recommends looking for the term ‘gluten-free’ or a gluten-free symbol.
You want to take a few chocolate biscuits to school or work. A pack containing several biscuits could work if each biscuit doesn’t need to be individually wrapped.
You’re looking for a combination of oats and chocolate, but you also check for milk, soya, nut warnings and whether oats are a concern for you.
When choosing chocolate biscuits for someone with coeliac disease, the current gluten-free statement matters more than packaging convenience. A pack of three biscuits is also not the same as three individually wrapped biscuits.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free statement | Check the current packaging for ‘gluten-free’ or a gluten-free symbol, and read the ingredients. | If I have coeliac disease, I want to check the statement on the biscuit itself before considering portion sizes. Around 36% of consumers put this check first. |
| Small portions | Look for the number of biscuits per pack; don’t assume each biscuit is individually wrapped. | For taking biscuits out and about, I want a small pack without assuming that each biscuit is wrapped separately. Portion size is the first consideration for around 29% of consumers. |
| Flavour and other allergens | Compare the chocolate and oat ingredients for each product, along with any information about milk, soya or other allergens. | I might be mainly looking for a chocolate oat biscuit, but other ingredients could limit my choice. Around 21% of consumers give this combination of flavour and allergens top priority. |
| Availability and storage | Check the specific product and storage instructions; reseal an opened pack and keep it separate from food containing gluten. | If I want to pick up biscuits with my usual shopping, it also matters how I can store an opened pack. This is the main practical concern for around 14% of consumers. |
Pack size tells you nothing about the ingredients. Lotus Bakeries Nederland lists wheat flour in Original Speculoos; a pocket pack doesn’t change that.
Check the gluten-free statement and ingredients on the current packaging first, then compare pack sizes.
Jumbo lists three biscuits per pack for Schär, and Glutenvrijemarkt describes Céréal Chocolate Chip Cookies as packed in threes. This doesn’t confirm that each biscuit has its own wrapper.
If you need individual wrappers, check the exact packaging description. Reseal a pack containing several biscuits once opened.
‘Gluten-free’ doesn’t mean a biscuit is also free from milk, soya or other allergens. Relevant allergen information varies by product.
Read the full allergen information for the variety you’re buying rather than relying on the brand name.
Jumbo describes its gluten-free Choco Chip Cookies as nine biscuits divided into packs of three.
Glutenvrijemarkt describes Chocolate Chip Cookies in packs of three and chocolate breakfast biscuits in a 4×4 pack.
Glutenvrijemarkt describes the gluten-free Haverkoek Chocolade in a pack for taking on the go.
Verkade describes Oaties Melkchocolade as gluten-free, for anyone looking for an oat biscuit with milk chocolate.
Original Speculoos is a useful contrast when comparing small packs, but it isn’t suitable for people with coeliac disease.
No. A wrapper on its own tells you nothing about whether the biscuit contains gluten. The Dutch Coeliac Society recommends looking for ‘gluten-free’ or a gluten-free symbol on the current packaging, and checking the ingredients.
Not if you mean a separate wrapper around each biscuit. Jumbo lists three biscuits per pack for Schär, and Glutenvrijemarkt describes Céréal Chocolate Chip Cookies as packed in threes.
The ingredients can change. The Dutch Coeliac Society points out that a statement such as ‘new and improved’ is a reason to check the current packaging again.
No. Lotus Bakeries Nederland lists wheat flour as an ingredient and gluten as an allergen present in Original Speculoos; the small pack size doesn’t change the ingredients.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and reseal the pack securely after opening. If you have coeliac disease, also keep the biscuits separate from food containing gluten.
