Who is this choice important for?

Commuters who put coeliac disease first

You want to take a biscuit with you to enjoy with your coffee, and first check whether the packaging explicitly says ‘gluten-free’. Only then do you compare the flavour and size.

Commuters with additional allergen restrictions

As well as gluten, you may also need to check for milk, egg, soya or nuts, for example. That’s why you read the allergen information for the specific variety you’ve chosen, rather than relying only on the label on the front.

Supermarket shoppers looking for something to take with them

You’re looking for a gluten-free biscuit for regular coffee breaks on the go, and want a choice of flavours and sizes. A range can help you compare your options, but it’s the label on the pack you choose that tells you whether it meets your requirements.

What should you look for when choosing?

When choosing a gluten-free biscuit to enjoy with coffee on the go, start by checking the information on the current packaging. Then consider the size and whether you need to avoid any other allergens.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this most important for?
Gluten-free label Look for ‘gluten-free’ on the current pack and read the ingredients and allergen information. If I have coeliac disease, I want to see on the pack itself that the biscuit is gluten-free before choosing a flavour. For around 36% of consumers, this reassurance comes first.
Size for taking with you Compare the net weight and number of biscuits. A stated serving size doesn’t mean the biscuits are individually wrapped. For coffee while I’m travelling, I want to know how many biscuits I’m taking without mistaking a serving-size description for separate packaging. Around 29% of consumers give ease of carrying top priority.
Supermarket choice Compare the gluten-free options and check availability at your shop or delivery service. If I travel the same route regularly, I want to be able to alternate between suitable biscuits rather than rely on a single variety. For around 21% of consumers, having that choice matters most.
Other allergens Read the allergen information and any warnings about traces for the variety you’ve chosen. As well as gluten, I may also need to avoid soya or milk, for example. Otherwise, a gluten-free biscuit may still not meet my requirements. For around 14% of consumers, additional allergens are the main consideration.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a biscuit for coffee is gluten-free

    Lotus Bakeries presents Biscoff as a biscuit to enjoy with coffee. That, on its own, tells you nothing about whether the pack you’re buying is labelled gluten-free.

    If coeliac disease is a priority, only take a biscuit with you if the current packaging explicitly says ‘gluten-free’ and you’ve checked the allergen information.

  • Overlooking other allergens once you see ‘gluten-free’

    The Schär, AH and Céréal gluten-free biscuits reviewed here differ in the other allergens they contain. So a gluten-free label doesn’t automatically answer questions about soya, milk, egg or nuts.

    Read the full allergen information and any warnings about traces for the exact variety you want to buy.

  • Relying on a product page instead of the label

    Ingredients and allergen information can change when a recipe is updated. That means the information on a product page you looked at earlier may not match the pack in your hand.

    Use the product page to help you make your choice, then check the packaging again before eating the biscuit.

  • Mistaking a product range for in-store availability

    A category page shows the types of biscuits you can compare, but it doesn’t tell you whether your shop has your chosen variety in stock.

    Check availability before you set off, and decide in advance which other biscuit with an explicit gluten-free label would be suitable for you.

Brands and supermarket ranges to consider

Compare individual biscuits within each range: a label or allergen that applies to one variety won’t necessarily apply to the others.

Schär

Schär offers biscuits for people specifically looking for a gluten-free option, among other products.

  • Albert Heijn labels the Choco Chip Cookies as gluten-free and wheat-free.
  • This variety contains soya. Check the allergens in each other Schär product separately.

AH Glutenvrij

Albert Heijn’s gluten-free biscuit range includes different types to compare.

  • According to Albert Heijn, AH Glutenvrij Chocolate Chip Cookies are made in a completely gluten-free environment.
  • This specific variety contains milk, lactose, egg and hazelnut. Don’t assume the same applies to other AH Glutenvrij biscuits.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij

Jumbo lists several types of gluten-free biscuits in this range, including speculaas.

  • You can browse different product types within the same supermarket range.
  • For each product you choose, check the gluten-free label, ingredients and other allergens.

Céréal

The Céréal Chocolate Biscuits reviewed here are worth considering if you’re looking for something that’s both gluten-free and lactose-free.

  • Jumbo describes this specific variety as gluten-free and lactose-free.
  • This variety contains soya and may also contain other allergens. Lactose-free doesn’t mean allergen-free.

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus Bakeries presents Biscoff as a biscuit to enjoy with coffee.

  • Its association with coffee explains why you might come across this biscuit in a coffee selection.
  • Don’t take that association as a gluten-free label. Check the current packaging before considering this biscuit as a gluten-free option.

Lidl

At Lidl, you can check the packaging of an individual biscuit while doing your regular shopping.

  • Shopping in store lets you check the label on the product you find there.
  • Don’t assume a biscuit is gluten-free because of the shop name or a general range page.

Aldi

Aldi has a snacks range where you can check any biscuit you find individually.

  • You can read the current packaging information on a product in store.
  • A biscuit from the general snacks range isn’t automatically gluten-free. Look for the explicit label on the pack.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can I assume that an unwrapped biscuit in a coffee shop is gluten-free?

No. A biscuit isn’t gluten-free just because it’s served with coffee. Ask about the ingredients and allergen information. If you can’t clearly confirm that it’s gluten-free, choose a packaged product with an explicit label.

What does ‘gluten-free’ mean on a packet?

For food sold in the Netherlands, Regulation (EU) No 828/2014 sets a limit of no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten for products labelled ‘gluten-free’. Check for that label on the current packaging of the biscuit you’re buying.

Is a gluten-free biscuit also lactose-free, nut-free or soya-free?

No. ‘Gluten-free’ doesn’t tell you anything about those other properties. The Schär Choco Chip Cookies reviewed here contain soya, while the AH Glutenvrij Chocolate Chip Cookies contain milk, egg and hazelnut, among other ingredients. Check the ingredients and allergen information for the variety you’ve chosen.

Is the allergen information in a supermarket app enough?

Use the app to compare biscuits, but also read the label on the pack you actually buy. For the product pages reviewed here, Albert Heijn notes that ingredients and allergen information may change when products are updated.

How should I store a gluten-free biscuit I’m taking with me?

Follow the storage instructions on the packaging of your biscuit. The Schär Choco Chip Cookies reviewed here should be stored in a cool, dry place. Don’t assume the same instructions apply to other products.