If you have coeliac disease and are looking for a biscuit to enjoy mid-morning, first check for a ‘gluten-free’ statement and read the current label and allergen information. Then compare fibre, sugars and saturated fat if nutritional value matters to you. A small pack can be handy when you’re out and about, but it doesn’t tell you anything about the nutritional value on its own.
If you have coeliac disease, a clear gluten-free statement is more important than the flavour or look of the packaging. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends checking the label whenever you buy gluten-free products. Also check the ingredients, allergens and warnings on the pack.
For a biscuit with your morning coffee, you can compare fibre, sugars and saturated fat per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that snacks can contain a lot of sugar or saturated fat; a gluten-free statement won’t tell you anything about that.
If you’re taking biscuits to work or on the go, the pack size and stated number of portions are useful details. Also check the weight of each portion on the label, so you can see the nutritional information for the amount you’ll eat.
If you follow a strictly gluten-free diet, first check the statement and allergen information on the pack. Then compare nutritional values and portions, and consider which products are practical for your shopping.
| What to consider | What to check | Most relevant for |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free statement | Read the ‘gluten-free’ statement, ingredients, allergens and any warnings on the current packaging. | If I need to eat strictly gluten-free because of coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on a brand name alone or assume a product is gluten-free because it looks wheat-free. For around 36% of consumers, checking the label comes first. |
| Nutritional value | Compare fibre, sugars and saturated fat per 100 g; check how much you actually eat per portion. | When choosing a biscuit to enjoy regularly in the morning, I want to know how the nutritional values of different options compare. This is the first consideration for around 29% of consumers. |
| Portion and packaging | Check the net weight, number of portions and whether the biscuits are individually wrapped. | If I’m taking something to work or out and about, I want to know in advance how many biscuits to take. Around 21% of consumers say portion convenience is the deciding factor. |
| Product range | Check which specific product the retailer offers, and read its own ingredients and allergen information. | If I plan my shopping around one retailer, I want to be able to choose from products available there at the time. For around 14% of consumers, this practical choice matters most. |
A gluten-free product may still contain an ingredient derived from wheat. Albert Heijn lists gluten-free wheat starch in AH Glutenvrij Koekjes amandel and names wheat in the allergen information.
If you have a wheat allergy, check the full ingredients and allergen list; don’t rely on the gluten-free statement alone.
A gluten-free statement tells you nothing about the other nutritional values. For Consenza Rozijn-Cranberry Koekjes, Jumbo lists 23 g of sugars and 17 g of saturated fat per 100 g.
Compare biscuits on the same basis, such as per 100 g, and then consider how much you plan to eat.
Product ranges can change, so a particular biscuit may not always be available at your usual shop.
Check the current range before making a special trip for a particular product, and think about which alternative biscuit would meet your needs.
Schär offers a range of gluten-free biscuits, including Digestive Landtaler and Choco Chip Cookies.
The range includes gluten-free Rozijn-Cranberry Koekjes with oats.
Albert Heijn’s own-brand range includes several types of gluten-free biscuits, including almond biscuits.
Jumbo’s own-brand range includes a variety of gluten-free biscuits and snacks, including speculaas and digestives.
ALDI lists gluten-free coconut macaroons from Heerlijck Banket in a pack of six.
This biscuit could be a good choice if you’re looking for something to enjoy mid-morning. If you follow a strictly gluten-free diet, check the statement and allergens on the current packaging before choosing.
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A biscuit for a mid-morning snack. If you need to eat strictly gluten-free, check the statement on the pack and read the latest allergen information, particularly if milk, soya or nuts are a concern for you.
Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, the term ‘gluten-free’ may be used if the gluten content of the finished product is no more than 20 mg/kg. Also check the ingredients and allergens if you need to avoid a specific ingredient.
Yes. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises checking the label on all gluten-free products. Check the current ingredients, allergens and any warnings every time you buy, even if you already know the product.
No. If you follow a strictly gluten-free diet, only choose an oat biscuit that is labelled ‘gluten-free’, and check the other allergens too. Albert Heijn also states that Schär Avena oat biscuit is not suitable for anyone with an allergy to avenin protein.
No. Lotus Bakeries Nederland lists wheat flour as an ingredient and gluten as a present allergen in Lotus Biscoff. So don’t choose this biscuit if you need to eat gluten-free.
No. The gluten-free statement doesn’t refer to these nutritional values. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and, if a portion size is given, also consider how much of the biscuit you plan to eat.
