Don’t use Verkade Nobo Sprits Original as a gluten-free treat: according to Verkade, this biscuit contains wheat flour. Choose a biscuit that is clearly labelled gluten-free on its current packaging. Before handing them out, check for any other relevant allergens and ask about the school or childcare setting’s rules. When packing, keep gluten-free biscuits away from crumbs from regular biscuits.
You’re looking for a biscuit that is labelled gluten-free on the current pack and that you can pack without it coming into contact with crumbs from regular biscuits. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre identifies the gluten-free label and the Crossed Grain symbol as things to look for on the packaging.
You want to choose one treat that’s easy to identify, but you also need to know which other allergens may be relevant to the children. Ask the school or childcare setting about its rules before filling the bags.
You’re looking for a biscuit that’s easy to divide between bags. The number of biscuits, the packaging and the information on the pack matter more than finding one that looks exactly like a spritz biscuit.
Start by checking the gluten-free label on the pack. Then check for other allergens and ask about the school’s rules. Only then should you consider which biscuit will fit conveniently into the bags.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free label | Look for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol on the specific pack, and read the ingredients. | If a child needs to avoid gluten because of coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on a biscuit’s name or appearance. Around 36% of consumers put this gluten-free assurance first. |
| Other allergens and school rules | Ask the school or childcare setting about its rules, and read the allergen information on each pack. | For a class with different food allergies, I want to avoid choosing a gluten-free biscuit that’s still unsuitable for a child. For around 29% of consumers, these additional rules and allergens come first. |
| Dividing biscuits between bags | Check the number of biscuits and consider how to divide them without contact with crumbs from regular biscuits. | When I’m filling several bags, I want to know whether there’ll be enough in the pack and whether I can hand them out neatly. For around 21% of consumers, this practical consideration is their main concern. |
| Availability | Check the chosen shop’s current range and inspect the pack itself before serving. | If I’m shopping shortly before handing out the treats, I want to be able to find a suitable biscuit without relying on outdated product information. Around 14% of consumers give availability top priority. |
The name and crunchy texture don’t tell you whether a biscuit is suitable for a gluten-free diet. Verkade lists wheat flour as an ingredient in Nobo Sprits Original.
Check the gluten-free label on the packaging first, rather than relying on the type or shape of the biscuit.
A gluten-free biscuit may contain other allergens. According to PLUS product information, its gluten-free chocolate chip cookies contain milk, egg and hazelnut.
Ask which allergens are relevant to the children, then read the information on the pack you plan to hand out.
Ingredients and allergen information can change. Gluten-free biscuits can also come into contact with crumbs from regular biscuits while you’re filling the bags.
Read the current pack, use clean hands and work on a surface free of crumbs. Keep the gluten-free treats separate.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a crunchy biscuit, as long as you distinguish between its product ranges.
A shop where you can search specifically for gluten-free biscuit options.
A shop with a dedicated online section for gluten-free biscuits and snacks.
Worth considering if you’re thinking of a chocolate biscuit specifically described as gluten-free.
Worth considering if the number of biscuits in a pack will help you fill the bags.
A shop where you’ll need to assess whether a suitable biscuit is available at product level.
This oat biscuit with milk chocolate is an alternative to regular spritz biscuits, not a gluten-free version of them. Before serving it as a treat, check the packaging and the children’s allergy requirements.
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An option if you’re looking for a biscuit with milk chocolate instead of a spritz biscuit. For a gluten-free treat, check the label and allergens on the current pack; also ask about any individual requirements relating to oats. The pack contains 150 g, but check how many biscuits it contains if you’re filling individual bags.
No. Verkade lists wheat flour as an ingredient in Nobo Sprits Original. Don’t choose this biscuit if the treat needs to be gluten-free.
Under Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, the term ‘gluten-free’ may be used if the food, as sold to the final consumer, contains no more than 20 mg of gluten per kg. When buying, check the label on the specific pack.
No. Don’t rely solely on the absence of wheat from the ingredients list. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre identifies ‘gluten-free’ and the Crossed Grain symbol as things to look for on the packaging.
Avoid contact with regular biscuits and crumbs: use clean hands, work on a surface free of crumbs and keep the gluten-free bags separate. The Dutch Coeliac Society points out that treats at school can also contain gluten.
