For a guest with coeliac disease, choose biscuits whose specific packaging clearly states ‘gluten-free’, and check for other allergens too. Keep them separate from regular biscuits until you serve them, and use clean, separate serving utensils. To offer a choice, you can compare different types of biscuits, but let the current packaging and your guest’s preferences guide your decision.
You’re looking for biscuits clearly labelled gluten-free and want to prevent them coming into contact with crumbs from regular biscuits when served. The Dutch Coeliac Society highlights the importance of preventing cross-contamination.
You want to serve more than one type of biscuit for New Year’s Eve. The ranges at Albert Heijn and Jumbo include options such as biscuits and syrup waffles labelled gluten-free; check each pack you choose individually.
You’re looking for a familiar supermarket option, such as the coconut macaroons or rice biscuits that ALDI labels gluten-free. Check what’s available before you visit, then read the current label in store.
First, check for a gluten-free label and plan how you’ll serve the biscuits separately. Only then compare the types of biscuits and the shops where you can buy them.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free and served separately | Look for ‘gluten-free’ on the pack, read the allergen information and use a clean, separate plate and serving tongs. | When someone with coeliac disease is joining us, I want to know which biscuits I can serve without crumbs from regular biscuits getting mixed in. For around 50% of consumers, choosing the right product and serving it separately are the top priorities. |
| Variety on the table | Compare the types of biscuits and allergen information on each pack; if you’re considering oat biscuits, ask whether your guest can tolerate gluten-free oats. | I want to give my guest a choice alongside the other sweet treats, without assuming that every gluten-free option is suitable for people with other allergies too. Variety matters most to around 30% of consumers. |
| Practical shopping options | Check the current range and choose a pack size that suits your gathering. | When I’m planning the New Year’s Eve shop, I want to be able to find a suitable pack and have another shop as a back-up option. Around 20% of consumers give priority to practical shopping options. |
Albert Heijn’s product information lists wheat flour as an ingredient in Lotus Biscoff Speculoos. This product is therefore not suitable as a gluten-free biscuit for a guest with coeliac disease.
Choose a specific pack labelled ‘gluten-free’ and don’t put regular speculoos on the same plate.
The Dutch Coeliac Society advises that you also need to prevent cross-contamination. A shared plate or serving tongs can bring gluten-free biscuits into contact with crumbs from regular products.
Keep the packaging sealed for as long as possible, and use clean hands, a separate plate and separate serving utensils.
A gluten-free label doesn’t tell you whether a biscuit is suitable for someone who needs to avoid other ingredients. For example, the gluten-free oat biscuit described by Albert Heijn contains hazelnuts.
Ask which ingredients matter to your guest. Alongside the gluten-free label, check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack.
ALDI directs shoppers to its stores for its coconut macaroons and rice biscuits labelled gluten-free. Lidl states on its range page that its additional gluten-free products are unavailable.
Check your local shopping options before you go, and have another specific product labelled gluten-free in mind as a back-up.
A range to compare different types of biscuits for your celebration table.
A free-from range with biscuits and snacks, including speculoos and syrup waffles.
A brand with a range of biscuits and baked treats in Albert Heijn’s gluten-free category.
A way to shop for the coconut macaroons and Rice Cookies that ALDI labels gluten-free.
Regular speculoos for other guests, not a gluten-free alternative for someone with coeliac disease.
A possible shopping option if you find a current gluten-free label on an individual biscuit product.
This oat and chocolate option may be worth considering if your guest can tolerate gluten-free oats. Before buying, check the specific pack for a ‘gluten-free’ label and information about other allergens.
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An oat and chocolate option to consider if your guest can tolerate gluten-free oats. The product name specifies milk chocolate and a 150 g pack; check the current pack for a gluten-free label, ingredients and allergen information. Serve the biscuits separately from regular biscuits, using clean, separate utensils.
The term has a defined limit: under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, ‘gluten-free’ may be used if the food sold to the final consumer contains no more than 20 mg of gluten per kg. You should also check the current label for any other allergens relevant to your guest.
No. The absence of wheat isn’t the same as an explicit gluten-free label. For a guest with coeliac disease, choose based on the specific pack, not just the product name or what you assume from the ingredients.
Keep the gluten-free biscuits separate and use clean, separate serving utensils. The Dutch Coeliac Society advises preventing cross-contamination, so keep the packaging sealed for as long as possible and don’t use a shared plate or serving tongs.
Not necessarily. First ask whether your guest can tolerate gluten-free oats. Then check the gluten-free label on the specific pack, along with the other ingredients and allergen information.
