For an older person with coeliac disease, start with a biscuit whose current packaging says ‘gluten-free’ – not with its flavour or brand. Then check the ingredients and allergen information for the variant you’ve chosen, and pick a pack size that suits the coffee break. If ordinary biscuits are also on the table, serve the gluten-free biscuit separately and keep it away from crumbs.
Needs a biscuit labelled gluten-free and wants to avoid crumbs from ordinary biscuits when sharing a coffee break. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, even a stray bread crumb can cause symptoms in someone with coeliac disease.
Wants to have a suitable biscuit ready and needs to check the current packaging as well as provide a separate serving area that’s free from crumbs.
As well as checking for the ‘gluten-free’ label, they need to check whether the specific variant suits their dietary requirements regarding ingredients such as oats, milk, egg, soya or nuts.
For someone with coeliac disease, look for the ‘gluten-free’ label and serve the biscuit separately. Only then compare ingredients and pack size.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free label and separate serving | Look for ‘gluten-free’ on the current packaging. If ordinary biscuits are also on the table, use a separate plate and clean serving utensils. Under EU Implementing Regulation 828/2014, the ‘gluten-free’ claim may only be used for food containing no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten as sold to the final consumer. | If ordinary biscuits are being served too, I want to be sure which biscuit is meant for me and that it won’t pick up any crumbs. An estimated 50% of consumers prioritise this gluten-free safety. |
| Other ingredients | Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variant, including oat, almond or chocolate biscuits. Look out for relevant ‘may contain’ statements. | If I have an additional dietary restriction as well as coeliac disease, the flavour I choose needs to suit that too. For an estimated 30% of consumers, this extra ingredients check is the deciding factor. |
| Portion size and packaging | Compare the net weight and the number of biscuits or portions, and check the storage instructions on the packaging once opened. | For a short coffee break with a small group, I want to serve an amount that suits the occasion. Around 20% of consumers prioritise portion size and ease of serving. |
That doesn’t tell you whether the biscuit meets the requirements for the ‘gluten-free’ claim. For someone with coeliac disease, checking for this label is the right place to start.
Choose a pack labelled ‘gluten-free’ and read the label on the product you’re actually serving.
A gluten-free biscuit may still contain ingredients such as oats, milk, egg, soya or nuts. This varies from one variant to another.
Compare the allergen information on the pack you’ve chosen with the older person’s dietary restrictions.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, even a stray bread crumb can cause symptoms in someone with coeliac disease. So it’s important to avoid contact with crumbs even after you’ve bought the biscuit.
Use a separate plate or serving area, and make sure hands and serving utensils are free from crumbs from biscuits containing gluten.
Albert Heijn’s range includes gluten-free speculaas, chocolate-chip biscuits and oat biscuits.
Jumbo’s gluten-free range includes speculaas, syrup waffles and other biscuits and cakes.
Jumbo lists Schär products including Butterkeks and Madeleines as gluten-free.
Jumbo lists Consenza gluten-free oat biscuits with raisins and cranberries.
Verkade describes Oaties as gluten-free biscuits made with gluten-free oats, and offers several flavours.
No. Don’t treat ‘wheat-free’ as a substitute for the ‘gluten-free’ label. Under EU Implementing Regulation 828/2014, a food may only be labelled ‘gluten-free’ if it contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten as sold to the final consumer. ‘Wheat-free’ on its own says nothing about other sources of gluten.
No. For someone with coeliac disease, only choose an oat biscuit whose packaging itself says ‘gluten-free’. Also check the ingredients and other allergens for the exact variant, and take into account any personal guidance about oats.
Serve the gluten-free biscuit separately and keep it away from crumbs from ordinary biscuits. Don’t use a shared plate or tongs with crumbs on them; according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, even a stray bread crumb can cause symptoms in someone with coeliac disease.
Yes. Before serving, check the packaging of the biscuit you’ve bought. Read the gluten-free label, ingredients and allergen information for that specific variant rather than relying only on a product description you viewed earlier.
