If someone with coeliac disease is coming round for coffee, choose biscuits whose specific packet is labelled gluten-free, and check the label again before serving. Then pick a type and pack size to suit your group, and keep the gluten-free biscuits separate from regular biscuits and crumbs.
You want to offer them a biscuit with their coffee, so you check that the specific packet is labelled gluten-free and take care to avoid contact with regular biscuits. The Dutch Coeliac Society highlights the risk of cross-contamination.
You’re looking for a familiar type of biscuit, such as an almond biscuit, digestive or speculaas, without buying more portions than you need for your guests.
You compare the number of biscuits and pack sizes for several guests. You also check current availability and the label of the product you choose.
When you’re catering for a guest with coeliac disease, start by checking the label on the specific packet and serving the biscuits separately. Then consider the type of biscuit, the number of guests and any other allergies to find the right option for coffee time.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Choosing gluten-free and serving separately | Look for the gluten-free label on the specific packet and prevent contact with regular biscuits and crumbs. | If a friend has coeliac disease, I don’t want a regular biscuit or crumb to end up with their biscuit. This is the top concern for around 36% of consumers. |
| Type of biscuit to have with coffee | Choose the type you prefer, such as speculaas, digestives or chocolate cookies, and check the label on that particular variety too. | I want to offer my guests something they enjoy having with their coffee. Around 29% of consumers give this choice top priority. |
| Number of biscuits and availability | Compare the pack size with the number of guests and check whether the biscuits you’ve chosen are available. | With several friends around the table, I want to have enough biscuits to serve without relying on one small packet. This is the main consideration for around 21% of consumers. |
| Other allergens | As well as checking the gluten-free label, read the ingredients and allergen information on the packet you’ve chosen. | If a guest has another allergy too, I need to know what else is in the biscuit. This extra check matters most to around 14% of consumers. |
You can’t tell by looking at a biscuit whether it’s suitable for someone with coeliac disease. Contact with gluten during preparation or serving matters too.
Check every new packet for a gluten-free label. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre stresses that even a small amount of gluten can cause symptoms in people with coeliac disease.
Crumbs from regular biscuits can end up on the gluten-free ones. Lotus Biscoff lists wheat flour in the ingredients information for its regular cookie.
Use a separate, clean plate or leave the gluten-free biscuits in their packet, and keep regular biscuits apart.
A gluten-free biscuit may still contain ingredients that another guest is allergic to. Albert Heijn lists almonds, egg and soya among the ingredients in AH Glutenvrij Koekjes met amandel.
Ask about any other allergies and read the allergen information on the packet you’re actually serving.
A larger packet only helps with planning if you can actually get the product you’ve chosen. ALDI says that popular items may sell out more quickly when demand is high.
Check availability before relying on one particular pack, and choose another clearly labelled product if necessary.
Albert Heijn’s own gluten-free range includes almond biscuits and oat biscuits.
Jumbo’s gluten-free range includes speculaas and digestives.
Schär offers a range of biscuits and cookies; Albert Heijn and Jumbo both stock products from the brand.
Consenza’s gluten-free range includes biscuits and syrup waffles, including a salted caramel variety.
ALDI lists gluten-free coconut macaroons and coconut rings from Heerlijck Banket.
No, you can’t tell just by looking at the biscuit. Check that the specific packet is labelled gluten-free, and make sure the biscuit doesn’t come into contact with regular biscuits or crumbs when serving.
Serve them on a separate, clean plate or straight from their packet. Keep serving utensils separate too, so crumbs from regular biscuits don’t get onto the gluten-free ones.
No. Lotus Biscoff lists wheat flour in the ingredients information for its regular cookie. Offer a guest who needs to eat gluten-free a separate product with a gluten-free label on the packet.
Don’t assume they are. Joybuy notes that, according to the information for Verkade GV Oaties, a small number of people with coeliac disease may be sensitive to oat protein. Ask your guest whether oats are suitable for them, and check the label on the specific packet.
