Who is this choice relevant to?

Anyone choosing strictly gluten-free due to coeliac disease

You want a biscuit clearly labelled gluten-free to have with your coffee, and you make sure it does not come into contact with crumbs from ordinary biscuits or bread when served.

Anyone who also needs to check for other allergens

As well as a gluten-free option, you may need a lactose-free variety, or need to check ingredients such as milk, soya, egg, nuts or wheat separately.

Anyone looking for a familiar biscuit to have with coffee

You might be looking for a biscuit, oat biscuit or digestive in a suitable size, without assuming that a familiar flavour or shape means it is gluten-free.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the gluten-free label on the packaging. Then check for other allergens, and only after that choose the type of biscuit and pack that suit your coffee break.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters most to
Gluten-free labelling and serving separately Check the gluten-free label on the packaging. Use a separate plate or serving utensils if ordinary biscuits or bread are also being served. With coeliac disease, I want to be sure which biscuit I’m getting and avoid ordinary crumbs landing on it. This check comes first for around 36% of consumers.
Other allergens Read the ingredients and allergen information for the variety you choose; gluten-free does not automatically mean wheat-free or lactose-free. If I need to avoid something other than gluten as well, the front of the pack alone isn’t enough. Around 29% of consumers give this additional check the highest priority.
Biscuit type and size Compare the type of biscuit, the net weight and the stated number of servings, if shown on the pack. For a short coffee break, I look for a flavour and quantity that suit the occasion. This is the most important factor for around 21% of consumers.
Packaging and availability Check the pack size and whether the specific variety is available at the shop where you plan to buy it. If I’m looking for biscuits for several coffee breaks or to share, I want to know how much I’m buying and whether I can find that variety. This is the first practical consideration for around 14% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming gluten-free means free from other allergens

    According to Albert Heijn, AH Glutenvrij Koekjes amandel also lists wheat, egg, soya and almond as allergens. So a gluten-free label doesn’t answer every question about allergens.

    For the variety you choose, read both the gluten-free label and the full ingredients and allergen information.

  • Serving gluten-free biscuits among ordinary biscuits

    The Voedingscentrum points out that even a stray bread crumb can cause symptoms for someone with coeliac disease.

    Keep the biscuits separate and use clean, separate serving utensils.

  • Treating lactose-free as a full allergen check

    Jumbo describes Céréal Glutenvrije & Lactosevrije Chocoladekoekjes as lactose-free and gluten-free, but the variety contains soya and may contain other allergens.

    Use lactose-free as an additional requirement, then check the allergen information.

  • Assuming a range page guarantees a product is in stock

    A product appearing in a gluten-free range doesn’t tell you whether that exact variety will be available when you shop.

    Check the specific product page and current in-store availability before counting on a particular biscuit.

Brands and product ranges to consider

AH Glutenvrij

Albert Heijn’s gluten-free biscuit range includes almond biscuits, oat biscuits and double cookies.

  • According to Albert Heijn, AH Glutenvrij Koekjes amandel are produced in a completely gluten-free environment.
  • The almond variety also lists egg, soya, almond and wheat as allergens; check the current packaging.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij

This product range includes speculaas, stroopwafels and milk chocolate digestives.

  • Jumbo says its Digestives Melkchocolade carry the Crossed Grain symbol.
  • That particular variety contains milk, oats and soya, and may contain nuts; check other varieties separately.

Schär

The range listed by Jumbo includes Butterkeks, digestive biscuits and Choco Chip Cookies.

  • Jumbo describes the Choco Chip Cookies as gluten-free biscuits with chocolate chips.
  • According to the product information, the Choco Chip Cookies contain soya; check the allergens for each variety.

Céréal

Jumbo describes Céréal Chocoladekoekjes as a gluten-free and lactose-free variety.

  • Both labels are useful if you’re looking for a lactose-free option as well as a gluten-free one.
  • The chocolate biscuits contain soya and may also contain egg, milk, nuts, sesame and lupin.

Heerlijck Banket bij ALDI

ALDI lists coconut macaroons and coconut rings as gluten-free biscuits.

  • The listed pack of coconut macaroons contains six biscuits, with a total net weight of 360 g.
  • Before visiting a shop, check whether the specific variety is available and read the packaging.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

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

Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, a food sold to the final consumer in the EU may only be labelled ‘gluten-free’ if it contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten. Check the label on the current packaging of the biscuit you’re buying.

Can a gluten-free biscuit still list wheat as an allergen?

Yes. For AH Glutenvrij Koekjes amandel, Albert Heijn lists gluten-free wheat starch as an ingredient and wheat as an allergen. If you also need to avoid wheat, read the allergen information on the specific pack.

Is a biscuit that’s both gluten-free and lactose-free free from other allergens?

No. The Céréal Chocoladekoekjes described by Jumbo are gluten-free and lactose-free, but contain soya and may contain other allergens. So even with this combination of labels, check the full allergen information.

How should I serve gluten-free biscuits alongside ordinary biscuits?

Serve them separately so they don’t come into contact with ordinary biscuits, bread or shared serving utensils. The Voedingscentrum points out that even a stray bread crumb can cause symptoms for someone with coeliac disease.

Can I tell from an online range page whether a biscuit is available?

Not without checking the specific variety. Look at the current product information and in-store availability, and use the packaging to check the ingredients and allergens.