Who is this choice relevant to?

Café terrace visitors with coeliac disease

They want to know which allergens a loose biscuit contains before ordering. With a pre-packed biscuit, they can check the ‘gluten-free’ label on the packaging.

Coffee drinkers who avoid other allergens too

As well as checking the gluten-free claim, they need to check each product for ingredients such as milk, soya, egg, nuts or sesame that may be relevant to them.

Oat biscuit lovers with coeliac disease

They also want to check the oats in a biscuit. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ordinary oat products can be contaminated with cereals containing gluten; it recommends looking for the official Crossed Grain symbol on oat products for people with coeliac disease.

What should you check when choosing?

When choosing a biscuit for a café terrace, first check that it’s gluten-free and free from any allergens you need to avoid. Only then compare the style of biscuit, portion size and packaging.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Gluten-free options at a café terrace Look for ‘gluten-free’ on the packaging. If a biscuit is served loose, ask which allergens it contains before ordering. If I have coeliac disease, I don’t want to assume a biscuit is suitable with my coffee based on its appearance or the usual way it’s served. For around 36% of consumers, confirmed gluten-free status would be their first concern.
Other allergens Read the ingredients and allergen information, including statements such as ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’, for any ingredients you need to avoid. Even with a gluten-free biscuit, I need to check whether it contains soya, egg, milk or nuts, for example. For around 29% of consumers, checking for other allergens would be the main priority.
Oats as an ingredient For oat biscuits, check the gluten-free claim and the official Crossed Grain symbol on the packaging. When choosing an oat biscuit, I want to know whether the oats are suitable for me rather than assume that any oat biscuit will do. Around 21% of consumers would consider checking the oats particularly important.
Biscuit style and packaging Compare the style, portion size and packaging, and check the current label just before eating. With coffee or tea, I want a biscuit I enjoy and can take with me easily, once I’ve checked the label for anything I need to avoid. For around 14% of consumers, style and convenience would then be the main considerations.

Common mistakes

  • Having the standard biscuit with your coffee without asking

    You can’t tell which allergens a loose biscuit contains by looking at it. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information must be available before purchase.

    Ask which biscuit will be served and what allergens it contains. If the café can’t give you a clear answer, don’t choose that biscuit.

  • Assuming ‘gluten-free’ means free from other allergens

    A gluten-free biscuit may still contain egg, soya or nuts, for example. A lactose-free label doesn’t answer all your other questions about allergens either.

    Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging against the ingredients you need to avoid.

  • Assuming every oat biscuit is gluten-free

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oat products can be contaminated with cereals containing gluten.

    For an oat biscuit, check the gluten-free claim and the official Crossed Grain symbol on the packaging.

  • Relying only on a product page you looked at earlier

    Ingredients and allergen information can change. So the information on packaging you looked at before may not match the biscuit you’re buying now.

    Before eating it, read the label on the pack you’re actually taking with you.

Brands to compare

AH Glutenvrij

A product range to consider if you want to take a pre-packed biscuit along for a visit to a café terrace.

  • Albert Heijn describes its gluten-free almond biscuits as gluten-free and made in a completely gluten-free environment.
  • The product information also lists egg, soya, almonds and gluten-free wheat starch. Check the current label if you need to avoid other allergens too.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij

A range with different biscuit styles, including speculaas and milk chocolate digestives.

  • The variety of styles gives you options to enjoy with coffee or tea.
  • Check the ingredients, allergens and packaging for each individual product; a range page isn’t enough.

Schär

A brand with products including Digestive and Choco Chip Cookies, for anyone looking for a classic biscuit style.

  • Schär describes its Digestive biscuits as gluten-free and lactose-free.
  • The Digestive biscuits reviewed contain soya and may contain lupin and egg. Read the allergen information for the variant you choose.

Céréal

Worth considering if you’re specifically looking for a lactose-free chocolate biscuit as well as a gluten-free option.

  • The Céréal chocolate biscuits reviewed are described by Jumbo as gluten-free and lactose-free.
  • The product information lists soya and possible traces of other allergens, including egg, milk, nuts, sesame and lupin.

Verkade

GV Oaties Melkchocolade is an example to consider if you’re specifically looking for an oat biscuit with chocolate.

  • Joybuy’s product information describes the biscuit as made with gluten-free oats.
  • The information lists milk and soya, possible traces of nuts, and a possible sensitivity to avenin among a small group of people with coeliac disease. Before eating it, also check the packaging for the official Crossed Grain symbol.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can a café give allergen information verbally?

Yes. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, a food business can give allergen information about unpackaged products verbally. It must clearly state that customers can ask for this information, and the information must be available before purchase.

What does ‘gluten-free’ mean on a biscuit pack?

It’s a useful starting point when choosing food if you have coeliac disease. Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, ‘gluten-free’ can only be used if the food, as sold to the final consumer, contains no more than 20 mg of gluten per kilogram. Also check the current label for any other allergens you need to avoid.

Can I have any oat biscuit if I have coeliac disease?

No, not every oat biscuit is suitable. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oat products can be contaminated with cereals containing gluten; it says oat products for people with coeliac disease should carry the official Crossed Grain symbol on the packaging.

Is a gluten-free biscuit also lactose-free or free from other allergens?

No. Gluten-free doesn’t in itself mean lactose-free or free from other allergens. For example, the Céréal chocolate biscuits reviewed are described as gluten-free and lactose-free, but the product information lists soya and possible traces of other allergens. So check each product individually.