If you need to eat gluten-free, choose biscuits whose current packaging explicitly says ‘gluten-free’. Under Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, this claim may only be used for food intended for the final consumer if it contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten. Individually wrapped portions are handy when you’re out and about; an opened larger pack needs more care to keep it dry and separate. The Lotus Speculoos biscuit listed in Flink’s product information contains wheat flour and is not a gluten-free alternative.
At the campsite, you don’t want to rely on a shared snack table or unclear packaging. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes a lifelong gluten-free diet as the treatment for coeliac disease, so checking the label on the biscuits you bring is an important first step.
Taking one biscuit per portion makes it easier to keep your snack separate from an opened pack of regular biscuits. Albert Heijn describes its gluten-free Twix Chocolate & Caramel Cookies as individually wrapped; check the current packaging for this variety too.
You want to choose suitable biscuits before setting off, rather than relying on a limited range while you’re away. ALDI lists individual gluten-free biscuit products, but check the claim and ingredients on the variety you actually buy.
First, check that the biscuits meet your gluten-free requirements. Then compare the packaging, where to buy them and any other ingredients that matter to you.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free claim | Look for ‘gluten-free’ on the current packaging and read the ingredients and allergen information for that exact variety. | If I need to eat gluten-free because of coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on a brand name or a previous purchase. This check comes first for around 42% of consumers. |
| Packing and storage | Check the number of portions and whether you can reseal the pack after opening; follow the storage instructions on the packaging. | For a day at the festival, I want to be able to take a biscuit with me without sharing an opened pack. This is the most important factor for around 25% of consumers. |
| Planning your shopping | Check the current product range before you leave and buy a suitable spare pack if you rely on it. | If I can’t count on what’s available near the festival, I want to have my biscuits at home before I go. This matters most to around 17% of consumers. |
| Flavour and other ingredients | Only compare flavours and ingredients after checking that the biscuits are gluten-free, including any allergens you need to avoid. | I want a flavour I enjoy without overlooking another dietary requirement. This combination is the deciding factor for around 16% of consumers. |
A vegan label says nothing about whether a product contains gluten. The Lotus Speculoos biscuit whose ingredients are listed by Flink contains wheat flour and cereals containing gluten.
Check each biscuit for a gluten-free claim and then read the ingredients and allergen information.
A familiar name or product photo is no substitute for the information on the pack you’re buying; ingredients can change.
Check the current packaging again, even if you’ve taken the same biscuits with you before.
A shop offering extra gluten-free products doesn’t guarantee they’ll be available when you do your festival shopping.
Buy suitable biscuits before you leave and take a spare pack if needed, rather than relying solely on a shop near the festival.
An opened pack is harder to keep separate if you’re sharing snacks with others or taking only a day bag.
Choose a suitable portion pack for your trip, or reseal a larger pack after use and keep it clearly separate from other biscuits.
A supermarket range where you can browse different biscuits labelled gluten-free before you leave.
An oat-flour biscuit labelled gluten-free, with milk chocolate and caramel, for anyone who wants individually wrapped portions.
A rice biscuit to consider if you’re shopping at ALDI before the festival.
Coconut macaroons are an alternative if a pack for several snack breaks fits your plans.
A regular speculoos biscuit, not a suitable alternative if you need to eat gluten-free.
Under Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, this claim may be used if food intended for the final consumer contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten. Also check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging you buy.
Not the Lotus Speculoos biscuits 250 g listed in Flink’s product information: the ingredients include wheat flour and cereals containing gluten. Don’t assume another variety has the same ingredients; check its own label.
The packaging of the biscuits you buy is the best place to find the latest product information. Check the gluten-free claim, ingredients and allergens again, even if you chose the product online or already know it.
Follow the storage instructions for your gluten-free biscuits and keep them in a sealed, clearly labelled pack, separate from other snacks. A portion pack can be handy in your day bag; reseal a larger pack securely after opening.
Check the current range before you rely on it. Lidl has said that extra gluten-free products aren’t always available, so it’s best to buy a suitable alternative before you leave.
