If you’re choosing biscuits for someone with coeliac disease, first look for a clear ‘gluten-free’ label or the Crossed Grain symbol on the current packaging. Then check for any other allergens and keep the biscuits separate from ordinary ones during transport and serving. Only after those checks should you consider flavour and size.
Whether you’re having a biscuit on the go or sharing a table, the gluten-free label on the packaging and avoiding contact with crumbs matter more than a familiar brand. The Voedingscentrum points out that even a small amount of gluten can trigger symptoms in people with coeliac disease.
If someone needs to avoid ingredients other than gluten too, check the allergen information for every biscuit you choose. A gluten-free label alone tells you nothing about, for example, almonds, eggs or soya.
For a day out, it can be useful to have a pack you can keep separate; when sharing at the table, the type of biscuit and how it’s served matter too. Albert Heijn and Jumbo stock various types of gluten-free biscuits, but always check the packaging of the product you choose.
Start with the packaging and how you’ll serve the biscuits. Then compare other allergens, the type of biscuit and whether you’ll need a back-up option.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it’s most relevant to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten and contact with crumbs | Look for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol on the current packaging. Keep the biscuit separate from snacks containing gluten. | If someone with coeliac disease is joining me, I want to avoid any confusion over the packaging or crumbs on the serving plate. Around 36% of consumers put this check first. |
| Other allergens and lactose | Read the ingredients and allergen information for the product you’ve chosen; check separately for a lactose-free label if needed. | If someone has several dietary requirements, a biscuit needs to meet more conditions than simply being gluten-free. For around 29% of consumers, this extra check matters most. |
| Type and size of biscuit | Compare the flavour and pack size, and check whether you can take the biscuits with you or serve them separately. | For a day out or a shared snack, I look for a biscuit that suits the occasion, once I’ve checked the dietary requirements. This is the main consideration for around 21% of consumers choosing from suitable products. |
| Availability | Check what’s in stock shortly before buying and decide what alternative you could choose if your first pick isn’t available. | If you’re planning your holiday shopping, you don’t want to rely on just one specific biscuit. Around 14% of consumers prioritise having a practical back-up, as long as it meets the same dietary requirements. |
Avoiding wheat isn’t the same as avoiding all gluten. For someone with coeliac disease, contact with crumbs containing gluten matters too, according to the Voedingscentrum.
Check the current packaging for a clear ‘gluten-free’ label or the Crossed Grain symbol.
A gluten-free biscuit may still contain ingredients such as almonds, eggs or soya. A separate lactose-free label doesn’t tell you anything about other allergens either.
Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product you plan to serve.
Crumbs can get onto gluten-free biscuits from a shared plate or a serving utensil that’s already been used. The Voedingscentrum says that even a bread crumb can matter for someone with coeliac disease.
Keep the biscuits separate and use clean hands, a separate plate or a clean serving utensil.
Ingredients and allergen information can change; Albert Heijn also warns customers about this in its product information.
Use a product range to find options, but check the packaging of the product you’ve bought before serving it.
Albert Heijn’s range includes almond biscuits, speculaas and double cookies.
Jumbo’s range includes gluten-free speculaas, syrup waffles, digestives with milk chocolate and mini cakes.
Albert Heijn and Jumbo stock a variety of Schär biscuits in their gluten-free ranges.
Jumbo lists 150 g packs of Céréal chocolate biscuits with gluten-free and lactose-free labels.
ALDI Netherlands lists gluten-free coconut macaroons and coconut rings from Heerlijck Banket, both in packs of 6 weighing 360 g.
Not necessarily: ‘wheat-free’ isn’t a substitute for a gluten-free label. Choose a biscuit whose current packaging says ‘gluten-free’ or carries the Crossed Grain symbol, and avoid contact with crumbs containing gluten.
Keep the gluten-free biscuits separate and make sure crumbs from ordinary biscuits don’t get onto them. Use clean hands and a separate plate or clean serving tongs; according to the Voedingscentrum, even a small amount of gluten can trigger symptoms in someone with coeliac disease.
Yes, if other allergens are relevant to the person eating them. Gluten-free doesn’t automatically mean free from almonds, eggs, milk or soya, for example, so read the allergen information for the specific product.
Use it to compare biscuits, but check the packaging of the product you’ve actually bought before serving it. Albert Heijn says that ingredients and allergen information can change.
