Stallholders looking for a straightforward standard range
You want a plain digestive biscuit to sell as an extra or serve with tea or coffee. Recognisable packaging and clear ingredient information make it easier to compare standard options.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Stallholders responsible for allergen information
You want to know which allergens are present in each biscuit you offer and how to tell your customers about them. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority requires allergen information when you offer food to consumers.
Stallholders catering for demand for a gluten-free option
You’re considering a separate biscuit labelled as gluten-free. You’ll also need to check the other declared allergens and decide how to store and offer the product separately.
What should you look for when buying?
First decide whether a standard plain digestive biscuit will do, or whether you also want to offer a separate gluten-free option. Then compare pack sizes, serving occasions and the latest allergen information for each product you choose.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Standard range | Compare the contents of the 400 g packs and read the ingredients and storage instructions on the current label. | If I regularly sell a plain biscuit alongside Dutch doughnuts, I want a manageable stock that suits my range. This simple standard option is the main priority for around 50% of consumers. |
| Allergens and gluten-free options | Check the allergen declaration for each product and decide how to store and offer any product labelled as gluten-free separately. | When a customer asks for a gluten-free option, I want to be able to offer a separate product without overlooking other allergens. This allergen-related question matters most to around 33% of consumers. |
| Product type and serving occasion | Decide whether the biscuit will be sold on its own or served with tea or coffee; check the label of each additional product separately. | For an extra biscuit option, I want to choose a product that suits how I serve it, without having too many different packs open. Around 17% of consumers say that choosing between product types is their top priority. |
Common mistakes when choosing
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Assuming ‘digestive’ means gluten-free or allergen-free
The standard AH, Jumbo and McVitie's products contain wheat or gluten. The gluten-free Schär Digestive Landtaler contains soya and may contain lupin and eggs.
Make allergen information available for every product you offer, based on its current label. Only describe a product as gluten-free if it is labelled accordingly, and don’t call it allergen-free.
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Treating packs of different sizes as if they were the same
The standard digestive biscuits listed are sold in 400 g packs, while the Schär Digestive Landtaler we looked at comes in a pack of 3 × 50 g. This difference matters when deciding how much stock to keep at your stall.
Compare the pack size with expected demand and decide whether keeping a separate gluten-free stock is practical.
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Relying on out-of-date product information
Ingredients and allergen information can change. A product page you saved earlier is no substitute for checking the label on the pack you’re actually selling.
Check the packaging when a new delivery arrives and update the information for customers before offering the biscuits.
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Buying a gluten-free option without agreeing how to handle it
A separate product also calls for clear information for customers and careful storage and handling at your stall. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that businesses offering food to consumers must inform them about any allergens present.
Agree where you’ll store the separate pack, how you’ll offer it and where customers can find the relevant allergen information before buying.
Brands to compare
These brands offer digestive biscuits or other relevant biscuits to help you choose between a standard range and a separate gluten-free option. Always check the information on the specific pack you’re buying.
McVitie's
McVitie's Digestives Original is a standard digestive biscuit in a 400 g pack.
- Albert Heijn lists 16% wholemeal wheat flour and 3.7 g of fibre per 100 g for this product.
- It contains wheat and gluten and may contain milk; it isn’t a gluten-free option.
Albert Heijn
AH Digestive is a standard 400 g own-brand product.
- Albert Heijn labels this specific product as vegan and lactose-free.
- The digestive biscuit contains wheat and may contain barley, oats and rye. Vegan and lactose-free do not mean gluten-free.
Jumbo
Jumbo Krokante Digestive Biscuit is a standard 400 g product.
- Jumbo lists 53.4% wheat flour and 15.2% wholemeal wheat flour for this product.
- It contains gluten and wheat and may contain barley, oats and rye.
Schär
Schär Digestive Landtaler is a separate gluten-free biscuit option, sold in a pack of 3 × 50 g.
- Jumbo describes this specific product as gluten-free biscuits.
- It contains soya and may contain lupin and eggs. Gluten-free does not mean allergen-free.
Sondey
Sondey is a biscuit brand owned by Lidl; Lidl also lists 400 g packs of plain digestives.
- The stated pack size gives you a useful basis for comparing this plain product with other 400 g packs.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and storage instructions on the pack before choosing this product for your stall.
Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to provide allergen information if I sell biscuits from a Dutch doughnut stall?
Yes. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says you must tell consumers about allergens in the food you offer. For unpackaged products, you can provide this information in writing or verbally, as long as customers know how to get it before buying.
Can I offer a regular digestive biscuit as a gluten-free option?
No, not for the AH, Jumbo and McVitie's products listed: they contain wheat or gluten. Choose a separate product labelled as gluten-free and check the other allergens on the current label too.
Is Schär Digestive Landtaler suitable for everyone with an allergy?
No. The gluten-free Schär product described by Jumbo contains soya and may contain lupin and eggs. Always check the full information on the packaging when answering questions about allergens, rather than relying on the gluten-free label alone.
How should I store an opened pack of digestive biscuits at my stall?
Follow the storage instructions on the current packaging. For the standard products listed, the advice is to store them in a cool, dark, dry place and reseal the pack carefully after opening.