Who are these options relevant to?

People with coeliac disease who need to avoid gluten

For you, the gluten-free statement comes before your preferred flavour. Also check the packaging for warnings about possible cross-contamination; Coeliac UK highlights how important this is.

People who also avoid lactose

You’re looking for a biscuit with both statements, but you should check for other allergens separately. For example, Jumbo’s product information for the chocolate cookies discussed here lists soya.

People comparing different types of biscuits

You want to choose between options such as a sandwich biscuit, spiced biscuit, chocolate cookie, coconut macaroon or rice biscuit during your usual food shop. Compare the type of biscuit only after checking that the specific product meets your gluten-free requirements.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the statements and warnings on the packaging. Then compare any other allergens and choose a type of biscuit that suits your snack.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this most important for?
Gluten-free statement and cross-contamination Look for the ‘gluten-free’ statement on the current packaging and read any warnings about cereals containing gluten. When choosing biscuits for coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on how they look or on the brand name. For around 40% of shoppers, this check comes first.
Other allergens Alongside any lactose-free statement, read the allergen information and any ‘may contain’ warnings. I need to avoid another ingredient as well as gluten and want to know whether this particular biscuit is suitable. Around 20% of shoppers prioritise this second dietary restriction.
Type and quantity of biscuits Compare the type of biscuit and pack size; for oat biscuits, specifically check for a gluten-free statement or suitable certification. For my break, I’m looking for a particular flavour or a quantity to share, without skipping the gluten check. For around 20% of shoppers, this becomes the next priority.
Shop range Check whether your preferred product is available at your shop, and read the packaging again when you buy it. I want to be able to pick up a suitable biscuit as part of my usual food shop. For around 20% of shoppers, how easy the product is to find matters most once it meets the gluten-free requirement.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a familiar biscuit to have with coffee is automatically gluten-free

    Lotus Bakeries Nederland lists wheat flour in Lotus Biscoff Original Speculoos. This standard product is therefore not a gluten-free option for people with coeliac disease who need to avoid gluten.

    Assess each specific biscuit by checking its current statements, ingredients and allergen information, rather than relying on the brand name.

  • Confusing lactose-free with free from other allergens

    Jumbo lists soya in Schär Choco Chip Cookies. Soya is also listed for the Céréal chocolate biscuits discussed here, alongside the possible presence of other allergens.

    Read the full allergen information on the packaging if you need to avoid anything besides gluten or lactose.

  • Assuming any oat biscuit is suitable

    According to Coeliac UK, oats can come into contact with cereals containing gluten during processing. The organisation also notes that a small group of people with coeliac disease react to pure oats.

    If you have coeliac disease, choose an oat biscuit only if it has a current gluten-free statement or a reliable gluten-free certification; assess your reaction to oats separately.

  • Relying on an online product page instead of the current packaging

    Albert Heijn says that ingredient, nutritional and allergen information can change. So a product page you looked at previously isn’t enough to make your final choice.

    Read the packaging again when you buy the product, especially if an allergen or cross-contamination warning is a deciding factor for you.

Brands to consider

A brand name doesn’t tell you whether every biscuit from that brand is gluten-free. The examples below relate to specific products and types of biscuit; always check the packaging of the product you choose.

AH Glutenvrij

Albert Heijn’s online range includes gluten-free sandwich biscuits and other types of biscuit.

  • Useful for comparing different types of biscuit within one supermarket range.
  • The AH Glutenvrij Double cookies discussed here contain soya. Albert Heijn advises checking the current packaging, as product information can change.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij

Jumbo’s Lekker Vrij range includes gluten-free speculaas, stroopwafels and digestives with milk chocolate.

  • Offers a range of familiar types of biscuit to compare.
  • Check each product for other allergens and confirm its current availability at your shop.

Schär

The Schär Choco Chip Cookies listed by Jumbo are gluten-free biscuits with chocolate chips and a lactose-free statement.

  • A specific option if you’re looking for a chocolate cookie that is both gluten-free and lactose-free.
  • This product contains soya; don’t assume that other Schär products have the same characteristics.

Céréal

Jumbo describes the Céréal chocolate biscuits discussed here as gluten-free and lactose-free.

  • Worth considering if you’re looking for a chocolate cookie with both of these statements.
  • This product contains soya and, according to the product information, may also contain eggs, milk, nuts, sesame and lupin.

ALDI

ALDI Nederland lists gluten-free coconut macaroons and gluten-free rice biscuits as separate products.

  • Two alternative types of biscuit if you’re not looking for a classic biscuit.
  • Check availability in store and read the full allergen information on the packaging.

Lotus Biscoff

According to Lotus Bakeries Nederland, Lotus Biscoff Original Speculoos is a standard product made with wheat flour.

  • Don’t choose Original Speculoos as a gluten-free biscuit if you have coeliac disease. Assess any other product solely by checking its own current packaging.

Oat biscuits for a snack

If you’re looking for an oat biscuit with chocolate for a snack, this product may be worth a look. If you have coeliac disease, the gluten-free statement, any warnings and your reaction to oats remain key factors in your choice.

Verkade Gv Oaties Milk Chocolate, 150 g

Verkade Gv Oaties Milk Chocolate, 150 g

For anyone looking for an oat biscuit with milk chocolate to enjoy as a snack. If you have coeliac disease, check the current packaging for a gluten-free statement and any cross-contamination warnings. Also consider your reaction to oats, and read the allergen information if milk, soya or nuts are relevant to you.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

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

According to Coeliac UK, a product may be labelled ‘gluten-free’ if it contains less than 20 mg of gluten per kg of product. When buying, check that the statement appears on the specific biscuit, and also read any warnings on the packaging.

Is every oat biscuit suitable for people with coeliac disease?

No, an oat biscuit isn’t automatically a suitable choice. Coeliac UK highlights the risk of oats being contaminated with cereals containing gluten and advises choosing a product with a gluten-free statement or reliable gluten-free certification. The organisation also reports that a small group of people with coeliac disease react to pure oats.

What should I do if there’s a warning about cereals containing gluten?

Take a statement such as ‘may contain cereals containing gluten’ into account when deciding whether the biscuit is right for you. Coeliac UK describes these statements as warnings about possible cross-contamination, so don’t ignore them just because you like the type of biscuit.

Is a gluten-free and lactose-free chocolate cookie also free from soya?

Not necessarily. Jumbo lists soya in the Schär Choco Chip Cookies and Céréal chocolate biscuits discussed here. If you have another allergy, check the current allergen information for the specific product you want to buy.

Is the online ingredients list enough to choose a biscuit?

Use the online list to compare products in advance, but check the current packaging before eating. Albert Heijn says that information, including ingredients and allergens, can change.