Who is this choice important for?

Hotel guests with coeliac disease

They need a biscuit labelled gluten-free that is also protected from cross-contamination on the buffet. According to Verkade, regular Verkade NoboSprits Original contains wheat flour, so it is not suitable.

Breakfast managers serving food with care

They need to make sure the packaging, allergen information and serving arrangements all work together. The Dutch Coeliac Association advises keeping gluten-free foods separate from products containing gluten.

Guests who want a crisp biscuit with their coffee

They are looking for a gluten-free alternative for the occasion when they would usually have a spritz biscuit. An oat biscuit or speculaas biscuit could work, but neither has the same flavour or ingredients as a spritz biscuit.

What should you look for?

Start by checking for a gluten-free label and choosing a serving method that prevents contact with crumbs containing gluten. Then compare the type of biscuit and packaging to find what works for your buffet.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Gluten-free and safely served Check that the packaging says ‘gluten-free’ and arrange separate storage and clean, dedicated serving utensils. According to the European Commission, the threshold for this claim on products sold to the final consumer is a maximum of 20 mg/kg of gluten. If I have coeliac disease, I want to be confident that my biscuit won’t end up among bread crumbs once the pack has been opened. For around 50% of consumers, this protection comes first.
Type of biscuit Compare the flavour, ingredients and other allergens in a gluten-free-labelled oat biscuit or speculaas biscuit; neither is automatically the same as a spritz biscuit. With my coffee, I’d rather have a crisp biscuit than a piece of cake, even if it tastes different from a spritz biscuit. Around 30% of consumers say this coffee-and-biscuit moment is their top priority.
Ordering and portions Check the current packaging, use-by date and availability, and decide how to keep an opened pack protected. At breakfast, I need to be able to plan portions without leaving an open pack on the buffet. For around 20% of consumers, this practical consideration is their main concern.

Buffet pitfalls

  • Mistaking a regular spritz biscuit for a gluten-free one

    Verkade lists wheat flour as an ingredient in NoboSprits Original and warns that the product may contain other gluten-containing cereals. A biscuit’s name or appearance does not tell you whether it is suitable for guests with coeliac disease.

    Before choosing an alternative, check the current packaging for a ‘gluten-free’ label.

  • Putting an open gluten-free biscuit next to regular bread

    A gluten-free product can come into contact with crumbs or shared utensils when it is being served. The Dutch Coeliac Association advises keeping gluten-free foods separate.

    Keep the stock sealed and separate. Once a pack is open, use a protected display and clean, dedicated serving utensils.

  • Assuming gluten-free means free from other allergens

    A gluten-free label tells you nothing about ingredients such as milk, egg, soya or nuts. Ingredients also vary between biscuit varieties.

    Check the current label for each variety you choose, and make sure guests can access the relevant allergen information.

  • Planning the buffet around one product that may only be available temporarily

    A changing range makes it difficult to keep offering the same biscuit. A replacement product may also contain different ingredients or allergens.

    Choose a second biscuit option and check availability, packaging and the label again before ordering.

Brands compared

Verkade

Worth considering when comparing regular spritz biscuits with an oat biscuit labelled gluten-free.

  • Verkade labels Oaties as a gluten-free oat biscuit.
  • Verkade NoboSprits Original contains wheat flour and is not a gluten-free alternative.

AH Glutenvrij

A supermarket own-brand range with different types of biscuits, including oat biscuits and sandwich biscuits.

  • Albert Heijn describes AH Glutenvrij Double cookies and Haverkoekjes hazelnoot as gluten-free.
  • Check the ingredients and other allergens for each variety; the oat biscuits contain hazelnut.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij

A supermarket own-brand range to explore when comparing different gluten-free biscuits for the buffet.

  • The range includes gluten-free speculaas biscuits and digestives.
  • For each order, check the variety you have chosen, its packaging and current availability.

Schär

Offers biscuit-style alternatives for those who do not need an exact spritz shape.

  • Jumbo describes Schär Speculoos and Choco Chip Cookies as gluten-free products.
  • Check other allergens for each variety; the ingredients in speculaas and chocolate biscuits differ.

PLUS

An option for comparing gluten-free chocolate biscuits with a plainer biscuit.

  • PLUS describes its Glutenvrije choco chip cookies as gluten-free biscuits.
  • This variety also lists milk, egg and hazelnut; always check the current label.

ALDI / Heerlijck Banket

Coconut macaroons are a different type of gluten-free biscuit for the buffet, not a spritz-style biscuit.

  • ALDI describes Heerlijck Banket Kokosmakronen as gluten-free biscuits.
  • The coconut flavour and softer texture won’t suit guests looking specifically for a crisp spritz alternative.

Products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can regular spritz biscuits be served to guests with coeliac disease at a gluten-free hotel breakfast?

No. Verkade NoboSprits Original is not suitable, as Verkade lists wheat flour as an ingredient. Choose a biscuit labelled ‘gluten-free’ on its current packaging and protect it from cross-contamination while serving.

Is a gluten-free biscuit suitable for an open buffet?

Only if you take care with how it is served. Crumbs from regular bread or shared utensils could end up on the biscuit, so keep it separate and protected, and use clean, dedicated serving utensils.

What allergen information do guests need for unpackaged buffet foods?

The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says consumers must be given information about allergens present in unpackaged products served in the hospitality sector. Make sure you have the current information for the biscuit being served, even if it is labelled gluten-free.

Should I check for allergens other than gluten?

Yes, check the other allergens in each biscuit variety individually. For example, PLUS product information lists milk, egg and hazelnut in its Glutenvrije choco chip cookies; a gluten-free label does not rule out these ingredients.