If you have coeliac disease, only an egg cake with a current, explicit ‘gluten-free’ label is suitable. If you’re also looking for less sugar, compare the sugars per 100 g and check what any claim refers to. Albert Heijn and Jumbo list 33 g of sugars per 100 g for AH Glutenvrij Eierkoeken and Gluten Free Bakery Holland Eierkoeken respectively, so these figures don’t demonstrate a reduction in sugar. Check the allergen list too if you need to avoid ingredients other than gluten.
You want to see an explicit gluten-free label on the current packaging, rather than relying on the product name or its light, airy appearance. The Dutch Coeliac Society advises checking for a gluten-free label on the packaging.
You want to compare the nutritional information and check whether a claim is actually about sugar. A gluten-free label alone says nothing about the amount of sugars.
As well as gluten, you may need to look out for ingredients such as egg, milk, soya, nuts or sesame. The ingredients and allergen warnings are just as important as the gluten-free label when choosing a product.
When choosing an egg cake for someone with coeliac disease, first check the current gluten-free label. Then compare the sugars and, where necessary, other allergens. A standard egg cake doesn’t become suitable just because it contains less sugar.
| What to check | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free status | Look for an explicit ‘gluten-free’ label on the current packaging and read the ingredients. | When I’m buying for someone with coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on a standard egg cake, as it may contain wheat. Verifiable gluten-free status is the top priority for around 45% of consumers. |
| Less sugar | Compare sugars per 100 g and check whether a claim specifically refers to sugar. | As well as a gluten-free egg cake, I’m looking for a demonstrably lower sugar content, not just a ‘light’ label. Around 36% of consumers give this sugar comparison top priority. |
| Other allergens and portion size | Read the full allergen information and check the portion size on the packaging. | If I also need to watch out for other allergens, I want to know what the egg cake contains and how much is in a portion. This additional check is the most important factor for around 19% of consumers. |
These labels answer different questions. Albert Heijn and Jumbo both list 33 g of sugars per 100 g for the gluten-free egg cakes discussed here, so the gluten-free label doesn’t demonstrate a reduction in sugar.
Check the sugars per 100 g and compare products on the same basis. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that a ‘less sugar’ claim must refer to at least 30% less sugar than a comparable product.
An egg cake’s texture tells you nothing about its gluten content. Bolletje lists cereals containing gluten and wheat in its Brosse Eierkoeken.
If you have coeliac disease, look for an explicit gluten-free label on the current packaging. Don’t rely on the product name, texture or a wholegrain label.
Gluten-free egg cakes can still contain egg, milk and soya. The product pages discussed also include warnings about possible other allergens.
If you have an additional allergy, always read the full ingredients list and allergen warnings on the packaging of the product you’re buying.
Albert Heijn lists AH Glutenvrij Eierkoeken in a 100 g pack and says they’re made in a completely gluten-free environment.
Jumbo lists Eierkoeken 2 Stuks from this gluten-free bakery in a 100 g pack.
Albert Heijn shows product information for a gluten-free egg cake from Maître Mathis.
Brosse Eierkoeken is an example here of a standard egg cake, not a gluten-free variety.
Don’t rely on the front of the pack alone: check that the current packaging explicitly says ‘gluten-free’ and read the ingredients. For example, Bolletje lists cereals containing gluten and wheat in its Brosse Eierkoeken.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the reduction could also refer to energy or fat. Check what the claim refers to. For a claim about less sugar, the Centre specifies at least 30% less sugar than a comparable product.
A lower sugar content hasn’t been demonstrated for these two products. Albert Heijn lists 33 g of sugars per 100 g for AH Glutenvrij Eierkoeken, and Jumbo lists the same amount for Gluten Free Bakery Holland Eierkoeken. On their own, these figures don’t show a reduction compared with a similar product.
Check for any allergens that are relevant to the person you’re buying for. The gluten-free egg cakes discussed list egg, milk and soya, among other ingredients. Also check the current packaging for any warnings about nuts or sesame, for example.
