Shoppers with coeliac disease
You’re looking for an explicit ‘gluten-free’ label or a gluten-free symbol on the specific product. The Dutch Coeliac Society advises checking for this when reading labels; always check each new pack too.
Who are these alternatives for?
Shoppers looking for organic products
As well as checking that a product is gluten-free, you want to be able to verify its organic status. The EU organic logo and the inspection details on the packaging can help; according to the European Commission, the logo can only be used on certified organic products.
Fans of canoe-shaped pastries
If what matters most is the combination of pastry and a filling of your choice, organic gluten-free puff pastry gives you a base for baking something yourself. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Consenza puff pastry is organic and gluten-free, but it isn’t a ready-made canoe-shaped pastry.
What should you look for when choosing?
If you have coeliac disease, first check the product’s gluten-free label, then assess its organic status separately. Next, decide whether you’d prefer a ready-to-eat biscuit or to bake something yourself for a more pastry-like result.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free status | Check the latest packaging for ‘gluten-free’ or a gluten-free symbol. If a product contains oats, don’t rely on the type of grain or the absence of wheat alone. | If I’m looking for something other than an ordinary canoe-shaped pastry because of coeliac disease, I want to be able to check the gluten-free status of that specific product. For around 36% of consumers, this reassurance comes first. |
| Organic status | Look for the EU organic logo and inspection details; a gluten-free label alone doesn’t confirm that a product is organic. | I want to choose a biscuit whose organic status I can also check on the packaging. Around 29% of consumers give this the highest priority. |
| Canoe-shaped pastry | Decide whether you want to bake it yourself. If so, check the filling and all the other ingredients for both of the qualities you’re looking for. | If what matters most is choosing the texture and filling myself, I’m happy to accept that baking takes more preparation than having a biscuit from a packet. For around 21% of consumers, this option matters most. |
| Ready to eat | Check whether the biscuit has both labels, and look at the ingredients and allergens that are relevant to you. | For a snack with coffee or tea, I want to be able to grab something without preparing it, even if it isn’t a canoe-shaped pastry filled with almond paste. For around 14% of consumers, convenience comes first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming an ordinary canoe-shaped pastry is gluten-free
Albert Heijn’s product information lists wheat and cereals containing gluten for AH Roomboter kano's. The presence of almond paste doesn’t change the ingredients.
If you have coeliac disease, choose a different specific product with an explicit gluten-free label on the packaging.
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Assuming gluten-free and organic mean the same thing
A gluten-free label says nothing about organic certification. According to the European Commission, the EU organic logo is reserved for certified organic products.
Check for the gluten-free label and the EU organic logo and inspection details separately.
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Looking only at ‘oats’ on oat biscuits
The type of grain alone doesn’t tell you whether a specific oat product is labelled gluten-free for people with coeliac disease.
Look for ‘gluten-free’ or a gluten-free symbol on the latest packaging, as advised by the Dutch Coeliac Society.
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Checking only the puff pastry when baking
Organic gluten-free pastry doesn’t automatically make the filling, decoration or other ingredients suitable too.
Check each ingredient for the gluten-free label and organic status you’re looking for, and keep gluten-free ingredients and utensils separate from products containing gluten.
Brands to consider
AH Glutenvrij
AH Organic Gluten-Free Stroopwafels are a ready-to-eat biscuit alternative.
- Albert Heijn describes this product as both ‘organic’ and ‘gluten-free’, and it carries the EU organic logo and inspection code NL-BIO-01.
- A stroopwafel doesn’t have the shape or filling of a canoe-shaped pastry. Check the information on the packet again when you buy it.
Consenza
Consenza puff pastry is a frozen ingredient for anyone who wants to bake a pastry-style alternative themselves.
- Albert Heijn labels this specific puff pastry as organic and gluten-free.
- It isn’t a finished biscuit: you’ll need to check the filling and other ingredients yourself.
Corn Crake
The Cranberry Oat Biscuits are a ready-to-eat alternative for anyone who isn’t specifically looking for a canoe-shaped pastry.
- Corn Crake describes this product as organic and gluten-free.
- It’s still an oat biscuit with cranberry, not a canoe-shaped pastry. If you have other allergies, check the latest allergen information too.
Related products on Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Are ordinary AH Roomboter kano's suitable for people with coeliac disease?
No. According to Albert Heijn, AH Roomboter kano's contain wheat, and the allergy information lists cereals containing gluten. To find an alternative, look for a product that is explicitly labelled gluten-free and check the latest packaging.
Is an organic biscuit automatically gluten-free?
No. Organic and gluten-free are separate qualities. For organic status, check for the EU organic logo and inspection details. Also look for ‘gluten-free’ or a gluten-free symbol on the specific product.
Can I make a canoe-shaped pastry with Consenza puff pastry?
You could use Consenza puff pastry as a base for a homemade canoe-shaped pastry: Albert Heijn labels the pastry organic and gluten-free. If you want the finished bake to meet both requirements, check the filling and all the other ingredients separately, and follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
Why should I check the label again on my next pack?
Ingredients and allergen information can change, so the packaging on the product you’re buying is what matters. Albert Heijn notes that product information may change; check the labels and allergens that matter to you again every time you buy it.