People with coeliac disease who want to check the label
A familiar biscuit name or a place in the ‘free from’ aisle isn’t enough. For this purchase, what matters is the gluten-free claim on the packaging of the specific biscuit.
Who is this choice important for?
People with coeliac disease and an additional dietary restriction
As well as gluten, lactose or allergens such as milk, egg, soya and nuts may be a concern. Check this information separately for each variant.
Shoppers looking for a familiar type of biscuit
If you’re looking for a replacement for a chocolate chip cookie, speculaas or digestive, compare the biscuit type and packaging once you’ve checked the label.
What should you look for when buying?
Start with the gluten-free claim on the pack. Then check for any other dietary restrictions. Pack size and biscuit type only come into play once a variant meets those requirements.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free claim | Look for ‘gluten-free’ on the current pack of the variant you’ve chosen, not just in an online product category. | If I’m buying for someone with coeliac disease, I want to be sure that this particular pack is labelled gluten-free. For around 40% of consumers, this check comes first. |
| Other allergens and lactose | Read the ingredients, allergen information and warnings about possible traces; check any lactose-free claim separately. | If I need to avoid something as well as gluten, I can’t rely on the gluten-free claim alone. This additional restriction is the main concern for around 30% of consumers. |
| Pack size and portions | Compare the weight and check whether it’s one pack or individually wrapped portions. | If I’m taking biscuits on the go or only eating them occasionally, I want packaging that suits the occasion. For around 20% of consumers, pack size makes the difference once the labels have been checked. |
| Biscuit type | Check whether the suitable variant is the type you want, such as speculaas, a chocolate chip cookie or a digestive. | If I’m looking for a familiar style of biscuit, I don’t want to end up with a completely different type. For around 10% of consumers, this preference is the main deciding factor between suitable variants. |
Common mistakes when choosing gluten-free biscuits
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Assuming a familiar biscuit name proves it’s gluten-free
A biscuit’s name or flavour doesn’t tell you whether that specific variant is gluten-free.
Check for the ‘gluten-free’ claim on the pack. Use a brand name or where the product is stocked only to find possible options.
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Assuming ‘gluten-free’ means free from other allergens
The variants reviewed differ in the information they provide about milk, lactose, egg, soya and nuts. A gluten-free biscuit therefore won’t automatically be suitable if you have an additional dietary restriction.
For each variant, check the ingredients, allergen information and warnings about possible traces.
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Relying on a label you read before
Albert Heijn says product information can change. So the details from a previous purchase may not match the pack currently in store.
Check the label again each time you buy a new pack, especially if the product name, weight or packaging design has changed.
Brands to compare by biscuit variant
These brands offer different types of biscuits and packaging, but claims and allergen information apply to individual products.
AH Glutenvrij
Albert Heijn’s own-brand range includes almond biscuits and chocolate chip cookies, among other products.
- Albert Heijn says the variants reviewed are made in a completely gluten-free environment.
- The almond biscuits are described as lactose-free, while the chocolate chip cookies reviewed contain milk, lactose, egg and hazelnut. Check the pack of the variant you choose.
Jumbo Lekker Vrij
Jumbo’s own-brand range includes gluten-free speculaas, syrup waffles and digestives coated in milk chocolate, among other products.
- These biscuit types are useful options if you’re looking for a particular shape or a familiar kind of biscuit.
- Check the ingredients and allergen information on the individual pack; a list of biscuit types is no substitute for this information.
Schär
Schär offers a range of gluten-free biscuit styles, including Butterkeks and Choco Chip Cookies.
- The Butterkeks reviewed come in packs of 4 × 41 g, which is worth considering if individually wrapped portions matter to you.
- The Butterkeks contain milk and egg, and may contain soya and lupin. The Choco Chip Cookies reviewed contain soya; check each variant separately.
Céréal
The Céréal chocolate biscuits reviewed are described as gluten-free and lactose-free.
- You can check both claims on the same product.
- The biscuits contain soya and may contain egg, milk, nuts, sesame, lupin and walnut, among other allergens. Lactose-free doesn’t mean free from these allergens.
Related Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Can a gluten-free biscuit still list wheat?
Yes. The gluten-free almond biscuits described by Albert Heijn list gluten-free wheat starch and wheat in the allergen information. So if you also need to avoid wheat, check the allergen information separately from the gluten-free claim.
Are gluten-free biscuits also lactose-free or nut-free?
No, ‘gluten-free’ doesn’t mean that. The AH Chocolate Chip Cookies reviewed contain milk, lactose and hazelnut. The Céréal chocolate biscuits reviewed are described as lactose-free, but contain soya and may contain other allergens. Check the information for the variant you’ve chosen.
How should I store an opened pack of gluten-free biscuits?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack. For the almond biscuits reviewed, Albert Heijn recommends storing them in a sealed tin after opening; the Schär Butterkeks reviewed should be stored in a cool, dry place.
Do I still need to read the label if I’ve looked at the product online?
Yes. Albert Heijn says that information such as ingredients and allergens can change. Check the pack you’re actually buying and read the label again before eating the product.