Vegan shoppers stocking up
Households that use oats regularly and want a larger pack, while checking the ingredients on the exact pack for animal-derived ingredients.
Who is a large pack suitable for?
Families who often make porridge
Shoppers who care more about the pack size and the expected number of servings than the convenience of individually wrapped portions.
Shoppers who also check allergens
Consumers who need to read the statement about possible traces of other grains as well as the ingredients list. A product with oats as its only ingredient may still carry such a warning.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, check that the ingredients on the exact pack meet your vegan requirements. Then choose a pack size you’ll actually use, and consider any allergen requirements separately.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients | Read the ingredients list on the exact pack; don’t rely on the product name or the term plant-based alone. | I want to stock up on oats without overlooking any animal-derived ingredients. For around 34% of consumers, checking the ingredients comes first. |
| Pack size | Compare the weight and, if listed, the number of servings. Think about how much you use and whether you can store the pack somewhere dry. | If oats are often on the menu at home, I want enough in the cupboard without choosing a pack that will sit unused. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this consideration. |
| Type of product | Check the type of oats and whether you want loose oats or individual portions. | I want to prepare a portion quickly, so the type of oats matters more to me than a large pack. This is the main consideration for around 13% of consumers. |
| Allergen information | Read the allergen information and details of possible traces of other grains; if you need gluten-free oats, look for a product explicitly labelled gluten-free. | As well as vegan ingredients, I need to consider what the label says about other grains. This check comes first for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a 1 kg pack is automatically vegan
The pack weight tells you nothing about all the ingredients in the exact variant. The Dutch Association for Veganism also points out that the term plant-based, on its own, does not guarantee that a product is entirely plant-based.
Before buying, read the current ingredients list on the pack, even if you’ve bought the same oats before.
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Confusing vegan with gluten-free
The Jumbo, Quaker and Brinta variants described list oats as an ingredient, but also warn that other grains, including wheat, rye or barley, may be present.
If you specifically need gluten-free oats, check for that claim and read the allergen information on the exact pack.
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Choosing a large pack without thinking about how much you use
A 1 kg pack is best suited to a household that uses oats regularly and has enough room to store the pack somewhere dry. A smaller pack may be more practical if you get through it slowly.
Choose a pack size that suits how much you use, and seal the pack properly after opening.
Brands and pack sizes to compare
These examples can help you compare pack sizes, ingredients and allergen information. The details apply to the variants listed, not necessarily to every product from each brand.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists its value pack as 1 kg of fine wholegrain oats.
- The ingredients list names only wholegrain oats.
- The pack warns that barley, rye and wheat may be present.
Quaker
The value pack described contains 600 g of oats; Oats Express is a separate single-portion option.
- Albert Heijn lists 100% wholegrain oats as the ingredient in the value pack.
- According to the label, the value pack may contain barley and wheat. Check the ingredients for the specific Oats Express variant separately.
Brinta
The Brinta oats described have extra-fine flakes and come in a 450 g pack.
- The ingredients list at Albert Heijn names 100% oats.
- The pack may contain wheat and rye, and is smaller than a 1 kg pack.
Albert Heijn
AH fine wholegrain oats are described as coming in a 500 g pack.
- The product information lists wholegrain oats as an ingredient and describes the product as milk-free and lactose-free.
- These claims are no substitute for checking the full ingredients list; the variant may contain barley, spelt, rye and wheat.
ALDI / Golden Bridge
ALDI lists Golden Bridge fine or coarse wholegrain oats in a 1 kg pack.
- With this pack size, you can choose between fine and coarse oats.
- Before deciding whether your chosen variant suits your vegan diet, read the ingredients and allergen information on the physical pack.
Lidl / Crownfield
Lidl lists Crownfield organic oats in a 500 g pack.
- This gives you less to store than the 1 kg packs mentioned above.
- For a vegan option, check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack.
Oat products on Joybuy
These Quaker packs come in different sizes: 600 g for those who use oats regularly, and smaller packs if you’d rather store less or are looking for a different size. Check the current packaging of each product for its ingredients, allergens and pack format.
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Quaker oats 600 g
A 600 g pack for households that use oats regularly but don’t need a 1 kg pack.
Before choosing this product for a vegan diet, read the ingredients list and allergen information on the current packaging.
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Quaker oats 375 g
A 375 g pack if you’d rather store less oats at a time than you would with the 600 g pack.
Check the current packaging for the ingredients, allergens and the number of servings listed for this pack.
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Quaker Express oats 324 g
A smaller 324 g Express pack to consider if a large pack for stocking up doesn’t suit how much you use.
Check the exact pack to see how the oats are portioned, and read the ingredients and allergen information to make a vegan choice.
Frequently asked questions
Are plain oats automatically vegan?
No. Check the ingredients list on the exact pack. According to their published ingredients lists, the Jumbo, Quaker and Brinta variants described list only oats or oat flakes as ingredients, but check the label again when you buy them. The Dutch Association for Veganism warns that the term plant-based, on its own, does not guarantee that a product is entirely plant-based.
Can I choose a regular family-size pack of oats if I need gluten-free oats?
Don’t choose based solely on the word oats or an ingredients list that only contains oats. The Jumbo, Quaker and Brinta packs described warn that other grains may be present. Look for a product explicitly labelled gluten-free and check the allergen information on the exact pack.
How should I store a large pack of oats?
Keep it somewhere cool and dry, and seal the pack properly after use. Choose an amount that suits how often you make oats at home.
Where can I find allergen information when looking at a pack in a shop?
For pre-packed oats, read the label on the exact product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information must appear on the label of pre-packed products. If you can’t find it, ask the shop for product information.