Who is this choice important for?

Parents of a child with coeliac disease

You want your child to join in without relying on just the product name or a photo. Check the gluten-free label and any warnings on the packet you’re actually buying.

Party organisers serving a range of treats

You want to serve a gluten-free biscuit alongside other treats without crumbs or shared serving utensils coming into contact with it. The Dutch Coeliac Society stresses that gluten-free food must remain gluten-free when it’s served, too.

Shoppers who also care about size and taste

You’re looking for a type of biscuit that’s easy to hand out. Albert Heijn and Jumbo list various kinds of gluten-free biscuits in their online categories, but check each option individually.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by checking that it’s suitable for the child with coeliac disease. Then compare the size for handing out, other allergens and how many you’ll need for the party.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this important for?
Suitability for coeliac disease Read the gluten-free label and check whether the packet warns that it may contain cereals containing gluten or says that the product is not suitable for people with coeliac disease. If a child with coeliac disease will be eating, I want to choose a biscuit without such a warning on the current label. This check comes first for around 42% of consumers.
Taste and size for handing out Once you’ve checked that it’s suitable for a gluten-free diet, look at the number of biscuits, net weight and shape. I want a biscuit that’s easy to hand out and goes well with the other party treats. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this as their main requirement.
Other allergens Ask parents about any relevant allergies and read the ingredients and allergen information for the option you’ve chosen. If other food allergies are also a concern, I want to avoid choosing a gluten-free biscuit that a guest still can’t eat. This is the main priority for roughly 17% of consumers.
Availability and quantity Check availability shortly before the party and make sure the pack contains enough biscuits, without skipping the label check. I need enough suitable biscuits for the party treat, and I need them in good time. This practical planning matters most to around 16% of consumers.

Common mistakes with party treats

  • Assuming a familiar biscuit is a gluten-free alternative

    According to Albert Heijn’s product information, standard Lotus Biscoff Speculoos contains wheat flour. A familiar flavour doesn’t mean it’s suitable for a child with coeliac disease.

    Choose a different option and check its current label to make sure it’s suitable for a gluten-free diet.

  • Checking only for the words ‘gluten-free’

    A gluten-free biscuit may contain other allergens. That’s why it’s important to read the full ingredients and allergen information when other children with food allergies will be eating, too.

    Ask parents about any relevant allergies in advance and check each packet individually.

  • Serving gluten-free biscuits among regular biscuits

    The Dutch Coeliac Society says that contact with crumbs can cause cross-contamination. A biscuit that’s suitable when you buy it must also be kept separate when it’s handed out.

    Use a separate plate and clean serving utensils, and keep regular biscuits and crumbs away from it.

  • Relying on an old product photo or ingredients list

    Labels and safety information can change. For example, on 9 September 2026, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority warned that almonds might not have been listed on the label of AH Glutenvrij Speculaasbrok with a best-before date of 26 March 2027.

    Check the specific packet and, if there’s a relevant allergy, look for current safety alerts before serving the treat.

Brands to start your search

You can compare different types of biscuits across these ranges and brands. Whether a product is suitable for a child with coeliac disease or other allergies still depends on the individual product and packet.

AH Glutenvrij

Albert Heijn’s own-brand range includes small biscuits, speculaas and other varieties.

  • The choice of shapes and flavours makes it easier to find a suitable size for handing out.
  • Check each packet for other allergens, too; the gluten-free label doesn’t cover these.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij

Jumbo’s online gluten-free biscuit category includes speculaas and other familiar treat-style biscuits.

  • You can browse different types of biscuits and pack sizes in the category.
  • Check the allergens and the latest information for your chosen option on the packet.

Schär

Albert Heijn lists Schär products, including Butterkeks petit beurre, in its gluten-free biscuit category.

  • A familiar biscuit shape can be handy when you want to hand out individual biscuits.
  • The category listing doesn’t replace checking the label on the specific packet.

Nairn's

Albert Heijn lists various biscuit and snack sizes from Nairn's in its gluten-free category.

  • There are different sizes to browse if the shape of the treat matters to you.
  • Check the gluten-free label and allergens for each option; the brand name alone isn’t enough.

Lotus Biscoff

Standard Lotus Biscoff Speculoos is a point of comparison for regular biscuits, not a gluten-free option for a child with coeliac disease.

  • This familiar type of biscuit shows why you can’t choose based on taste or familiarity alone.
  • Albert Heijn lists wheat flour in standard Lotus Biscoff Speculoos.

A biscuit to browse on Joybuy

If a child with coeliac disease will be eating, the current label is decisive for this milk chocolate biscuit. Check the gluten-free label, warnings and other allergens before choosing it as a party treat.

Verkade Gv Oaties Milk Chocolate, 150 g pack

Verkade Gv Oaties Milk Chocolate, 150 g

If you want to hand out a milk chocolate biscuit at a party, this is one option to assess for suitability for the child with coeliac disease.

Check the packet for the gluten-free label, warnings about cereals containing gluten and other allergens. For this Oaties option, also check the information about oats.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is a biscuit with ‘gluten-free’ on the packet suitable for a child with coeliac disease?

A gluten-free label is an important starting point, but check the rest of the current label, too. The Dutch Coeliac Society highlights warnings such as ‘may contain cereals containing gluten’ and ‘not suitable for people with coeliac disease’. Don’t choose a product with either warning for a child with coeliac disease.

Can a gluten-free biscuit still mention wheat in its allergen information?

Yes. A mention of wheat and a gluten-free label answer different questions. If a wheat allergy is also a concern, assess the full ingredients and allergen information for the specific product rather than relying on the gluten-free label alone.

How can I keep gluten-free biscuits separate at a children’s party?

Put them on their own plate, use clean serving utensils and keep them away from crumbs from regular biscuits. The Dutch Coeliac Society stresses that gluten-free food must remain gluten-free when it’s served, too.

How can I check allergens in homemade treats?

Ask parents about any relevant allergies in advance and check every ingredient you’ve used, including decorations and toppings. Keep the packets or ingredient information so you can answer questions about the finished treat.