Who is this choice relevant to?

Walkers with coeliac disease

You don’t want to rely on a familiar brand name or a biscuit that looks suitable. Check the gluten-free statement on the current packaging first, and keep your snack separate from other food.

Walkers who want to take a small portion

You have limited room in your coat pocket or daypack and don’t want to carry an opened large pack. Compare the contents of small packs with how much you want to eat on the go.

Walkers comparing different types of biscuits

Once you’ve checked the gluten-free statement, you might want to choose between oat biscuits and other varieties. Ingredients, other allergens and nutritional information vary between products.

What should you look for when choosing?

When choosing biscuits for a walk with coeliac disease in mind, start by checking the gluten-free statement. Packaging, specific ingredients and availability then help you decide which biscuits are practical to take with you.

What to look for What to check when buying Who it matters to
Gluten-free statement Check the current packaging for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol. Keep the biscuits separate from gluten-containing crumbs when you’re out and about. With coeliac disease, I don’t want to have to guess whether my snack is suitable. For around 33% of consumers, confidence in the gluten-free statement comes first.
Packaging and portion size Compare the net weight and check whether you can take an opened pack with you while keeping it dry and protected. For a short walk, I want to take a measured portion without putting a large pack in my rucksack. Around 27% of consumers give this convenience top priority.
Ingredients and nutritional information Read the allergen information and compare nutritional values per 100 g and per portion. For oat biscuits, check the gluten-free statement on the specific product. When choosing between oat, chocolate and other biscuits, I want to know which ingredients and other allergens they contain. For around 20% of consumers, comparing products is most important.
Range Check which variety you can buy and whether the pack suits the walk you have planned. I want to be able to choose a suitable biscuit in advance rather than relying on one shop when I’m out and about. Around 20% of consumers prioritise availability and choice.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming gluten-free means free from other allergens

    A gluten-free biscuit may still contain other allergens. For AH Glutenvrij Koekjes amandel, Albert Heijn lists egg, soya, almonds and wheat among the allergens.

    As well as checking the gluten-free statement, read the full ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack you’re buying.

  • Relying on a familiar brand name

    A biscuit brand name alone tells you nothing about whether a particular flavour or pack size is gluten-free.

    Check each variety separately on the current packaging before taking it with you as a walking snack.

  • Assuming every shop stocks the same range

    Supermarkets stock different gluten-free biscuits and pack sizes. A variety you’ve seen before may not be available when you need it for a walk.

    Check current availability before you set off and, if necessary, take a snack you’ve already checked.

Brands to consider

AH Glutenvrij

Under this label, Albert Heijn stocks gluten-free biscuits, including Koekjes amandel in a 45 g pack.

  • Albert Heijn states that Koekjes amandel is made in a completely gluten-free environment.
  • The same product also lists egg, soya, almonds and wheat in its allergen information; check the label if you have other allergies.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij

Jumbo’s range includes various gluten-free biscuits, including speculaas.

  • You can browse different types of biscuits and pack sizes across the range.
  • Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging of each individual variety.

Schär

Schär’s Dutch range includes Butterkeks, Digestive, Choco Chip Cookies and Maxi Break.

  • The different types of biscuits offer a choice of styles and pack sizes.
  • Don’t rely on the brand name instead of checking the ingredients, allergens and packaging information for the variety you choose.

Verkade Oaties

Verkade describes Oaties as gluten-free oat biscuits available in various varieties.

  • According to Verkade, the plain variety contains 43% gluten-free oat flakes and 17% gluten-free oat flour.
  • These percentages apply to the plain variety; check the ingredients list and nutritional information for any other variety.

Heerlijck Banket bij ALDI

ALDI stocks a 360 g pack of six gluten-free coconut rings from Heerlijck Banket.

  • With a larger pack, you can set aside your own portion at home to take on your walk.
  • Check the allergens on the pack you choose, and protect any loose portions from moisture and breakage.

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus Biscoff is a well-known biscuit brand, but the name alone doesn’t mean that a particular variety is gluten-free.

  • You can check a familiar biscuit against the same packaging information as any other.
  • If you have coeliac disease, don’t choose based on brand recognition: check the specific pack for a gluten-free statement.

Gluten-free oat biscuits on Joybuy

This product is a good choice if you want to take oat biscuits with milk chocolate and portion them out from a larger pack at home. Check the gluten-free statement and allergens on the current packaging when you buy them.

Verkade Gv Oaties Milk Chocolate, 150 g pack

Verkade Gv Oaties Milk Chocolate 150 g

For anyone who wants to take oat biscuits with milk chocolate and measure out a portion for a walk.

The pack contains 150 g. Keep the portion you take with you dry and separate from gluten-containing food. When checking the allergen information, also look out for milk, oats and soya.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘gluten-free’ mean a biscuit contains absolutely no gluten?

No, the statement doesn’t literally mean zero gluten. Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, a product sold to the final consumer may be labelled ‘gluten-free’ if it contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten. Check the statement on the current packaging.

Is an ordinary biscuit suitable if wheat flour isn’t listed in the ingredients?

Don’t assume so if you have coeliac disease: the absence of wheat flour isn’t the same as a gluten-free statement. Choose a biscuit specifically labelled gluten-free and avoid contact with gluten-containing crumbs when you’re out and about, as advised by the Voedingscentrum.

Why might ‘wheat’ be listed as an allergen in a gluten-free almond biscuit?

AH Glutenvrij Koekjes amandel lists gluten-free wheat starch and wheat in its allergen information. A gluten-free statement doesn’t mean the product is free from wheat as an allergen; if you have a wheat allergy, check the specific allergen information separately.

Are oat biscuits automatically gluten-free?

No, the word ‘oat’ alone isn’t a gluten-free statement. For oat biscuits, check the specific packaging for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol, and read the other ingredients and allergens too.

Is a small pack more convenient than a large one for walking?

A small pack is handy if you want to take one portion without repacking it first. You can take a portion from a larger pack, but pack it somewhere dry, protect the biscuits from breaking and keep them separate from gluten-containing food.