Who is this choice relevant to?

People with coeliac disease who want to eat biscuits

For you, the ‘gluten-free’ label comes before comparing fat content and portion sizes. Under EU Regulation 828/2014, wheat, rye and barley contain gluten; check the current packaging when you buy.

Consumers looking for a product that formally qualifies as low fat

You want to know whether ‘low fat’ means more than simply containing less fat than another biscuit. Under EU Regulation 1924/2006, this nutrition claim can only be used for solid foods containing no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g.

Consumers with additional allergies or intolerances

As well as gluten, you may also need to look out for milk, eggs, soya, nuts, lupin or sesame, for example. A gluten-free label does not mean a biscuit is free from these other allergens.

What should you check when choosing?

First check that the biscuit is suitable for your gluten-free needs. Then compare the nutritional information per 100 g, and consider any additional allergens and the portion you plan to eat.

What to consider What to check when buying Most relevant to
Gluten-free suitability Check for a ‘gluten-free’ label and read the ingredients on the current packaging. If I have coeliac disease, I want to know first whether the biscuit is labelled gluten-free before comparing nutritional values. For around 38% of consumers, this suitability is their main concern when buying.
Fat content Compare total fat and saturated fat per 100 g. If you need a product that formally qualifies as low fat, check that its total fat meets the EU limit of no more than 3 g per 100 g for solid foods. If I want to limit fat, I need to be able to tell the difference between a biscuit containing less fat than another and one that qualifies for the ‘low fat’ claim. Around 38% of consumers say fat content is their top priority.
Other allergens and portion size If you have additional allergies, check the ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements. Also check the nutritional information for the portion you plan to eat. If I have another allergy or intolerance too, I want to know what my chosen biscuit contains and how much I’m eating. For around 24% of consumers, this is their first additional consideration.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing ‘gluten-free’ with ‘low fat’

    A gluten-free label says nothing about fat content. According to Jumbo and Albert Heijn, the four biscuits discussed contain between 22.6 and 29 g of fat per 100 g. Under EU Regulation 1924/2006, the limit for the ‘low fat’ claim on solid foods is no more than 3 g per 100 g.

    If you need a product that meets the requirements for this claim, check the labels of snacks outside the biscuit category too.

  • Comparing values per portion only

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, manufacturers decide for themselves how large a portion is. This means that portion values for different biscuits are not directly comparable.

    Compare the nutritional information per 100 g first, then consider how much you actually want to eat.

  • Overlooking other allergens

    Gluten-free biscuits may also contain milk, eggs, soya, nuts or other allergens. Product information from Jumbo and Albert Heijn shows that the allergens present and the warnings given vary between biscuits.

    If you have an additional allergy or intolerance, read both the ingredients and the warnings on the packaging of the product you choose.

  • Treating a product page as the definitive label

    Ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change, as Albert Heijn notes in its product information.

    Use product pages to compare options in advance, but check the packaging of the product you actually buy.

Brands to consider

The information below relates to the products or ranges mentioned, not every biscuit from each brand. Always compare the label of the specific variety you’re considering.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten

Jumbo lists a range of biscuits and snacks in its gluten-free range.

  • There are several gluten-free biscuit varieties to compare individually.
  • According to Jumbo, Jumbo Gevulde Koek Gluten Vrij contains 22.6 g of fat and 9.4 g of saturated fat per 100 g. It also contains almonds, eggs, lupin, milk and soya.

Céréal

Céréal chocolate biscuits are described as gluten-free and lactose-free on the Jumbo product page.

  • This combination may be useful if you want to avoid both gluten and lactose.
  • According to Jumbo, the biscuits contain 23 g of fat per 100 g and contain soya. The product information also warns that they may contain, among other things, eggs, milk, nuts, sesame and lupin.

Schär

Schär Digestive Landtaler is a gluten-free biscuit; Jumbo lists its fibre content as 7.4 g per 100 g.

  • You can compare the stated fibre content with the other nutritional values.
  • According to Jumbo, the biscuit also contains 24 g of fat and 10 g of saturated fat per 100 g. It contains soya and may contain lupin and eggs.

AH Glutenvrij

Albert Heijn sells a range of products under this brand, including gluten-free almond biscuits, which are also described as lactose-free on the product page.

  • These specific biscuits are labelled both gluten-free and lactose-free.
  • According to Albert Heijn, the almond biscuits contain 29 g of fat and 12 g of saturated fat per 100 g. If you have additional allergies, check the current ingredients and warnings on the packaging.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

When can a biscuit be labelled ‘low fat’?

Under EU Regulation 1924/2006, the ‘low fat’ nutrition claim can only be used for a solid food if it contains no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g. So, containing less fat than another biscuit is not the same as meeting this limit.

What should I look out for when buying biscuits if I have coeliac disease?

Start with a biscuit labelled gluten-free and check the current packaging before eating it. EU Regulation 828/2014 identifies wheat, rye and barley as gluten-containing cereals. Also check the ingredients and any allergens that are relevant to you.

Should I compare fat per biscuit or per 100 g?

Compare biscuits per 100 g first, then look at the amount in your own portion. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that manufacturers decide portion sizes themselves, so portion values can vary between products.

Are gluten-free biscuits also lactose-free or free from other allergens?

No, that isn’t guaranteed by a ‘gluten-free’ label. The Céréal chocolate biscuits described by Jumbo are also labelled lactose-free, but contain soya and may contain milk, eggs and nuts, among other things. So check the information for the specific biscuit and its current packaging.