Who is this choice important for?

Parents of a child with coeliac disease

You’re looking for a biscuit with a current gluten-free claim on the packaging. Check for other allergens too, and keep your chosen biscuit separate from ordinary biscuits while filling the bags.

Parents filling individual party bags

You want to be able to give out one portion per bag. An individually wrapped biscuit can make this easier, but the packaging alone doesn’t tell you whether it’s suitable for someone with allergies.

Parents catering for different dietary requirements

As well as gluten, milk, soya, nuts or oats may be relevant. Check each child’s specific requirements and read the information on the exact packaging you’ve chosen.

What should you look for when choosing?

If a child with coeliac disease is getting a treat, the gluten-free claim matters more than convenience. Other allergens and the number of suitable portions will then help you decide which pack to choose.

What to look for What to check when buying Who it matters to
Gluten-free claim Read the current packaging and keep gluten-free biscuits separate from ordinary biscuits while packing. If I’m giving a treat to a child with coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on the product name or appearance. For around 50% of consumers, the gluten-free claim is their main concern when buying.
How they’re packed for sharing Check whether the biscuits are individually wrapped and how many suitable portions the pack contains. If I want one biscuit per bag, I need to know how many portions I can hand out without dividing them up myself. For around 30% of consumers, this practical format comes first.
Other allergens Read the ingredients, allergen information and any ‘may contain’ warning in light of each child’s requirements. If a child has another dietary restriction as well as coeliac disease, I want to know whether the same biscuit is suitable for them. This additional check is the main concern when buying for around 20% of consumers.

Common party bag mistakes

  • Using a familiar speculoos biscuit as a gluten-free alternative

    Albert Heijn lists wheat flour and the allergens wheat and cereals containing gluten for Lotus Biscoff Original Speculoos. Being individually wrapped doesn’t change that.

    For a child with coeliac disease, choose a biscuit with a current gluten-free claim and keep ordinary speculoos biscuits separate while packing.

  • Assuming gluten-free means free from other allergens

    According to Albert Heijn, the Twix biscuits reviewed, which are gluten-free, contain milk, soya and oats and may contain nuts. For AH Glutenvrij Koekjes amandel, Albert Heijn lists egg, soya and almonds, among other ingredients.

    Ask which restrictions apply to the children and check all the information on the current packaging of the exact product you’ve chosen.

  • Looking only at the pack size

    A pack with a generous weight doesn’t necessarily contain the number of individual, suitable portions you need for the party bags.

    First, work out how many children need a suitable biscuit. Then compare the number of portions, the packaging format and the allergen information.

Brands to consider

AH Glutenvrij

Albert Heijn lists AH Glutenvrij Koekjes amandel in a 45 g pack containing four portions.

  • The product information describes these biscuits as gluten-free and lactose-free.
  • The allergen information also lists egg, soya, almonds and wheat. Check the current packaging against the child’s specific requirements.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij

This range from Jumbo includes products such as speculaas, mini cakes, syrup waffles and digestives.

  • The range of formats gives you a choice of biscuit type and portion size.
  • Check the gluten-free claim, other allergens and packaging format for each product you choose.

Schär

Jumbo lists Schär Choco Chip Cookies as gluten-free biscuits.

  • An option to consider if you’re looking for chocolate biscuits for the party bags.
  • The variant reviewed contains soya; check the current allergen information before handing it out.

Céréal

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

  • Both claims may be relevant if a child needs to avoid gluten and lactose.
  • The ingredients include soya. Also, lactose-free doesn’t automatically mean free from milk protein.

Consenza

Jumbo lists gluten-free Consenza raisin and cranberry biscuits made with gluten-free oats.

  • A biscuit option to compare if oats are suitable for the child in question.
  • The variant reviewed contains oats and may contain nuts. Check that the current label meets the requirements agreed for the child and school.

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus Biscoff Original Speculoos is a standard speculoos biscuit that’s also available individually wrapped.

  • Individually wrapped biscuits can be practical for party bags when there’s no need for a gluten-free option.
  • Albert Heijn lists wheat flour and cereals containing gluten for this specific product. Don’t use it as a gluten-free biscuit for a child with coeliac disease.

Biscuits at Joybuy for party bags

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is wheat-free the same as gluten-free for a child with coeliac disease?

No. For a child with coeliac disease, look for the current ‘gluten-free’ claim on the packaging. Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, this claim may be used if the food, as sold to the final consumer, contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten. You should also check the ingredients and allergen information.

Can Lotus Biscoff Original go in a gluten-free party bag?

No, not if the bag is for a child with coeliac disease. Albert Heijn lists wheat flour and the allergens wheat and cereals containing gluten for Lotus Biscoff Original Speculoos.

Is a gluten-free biscuit suitable for people with other allergies too?

Not necessarily: a gluten-free claim tells you nothing about ingredients such as milk, soya or nuts. Check the current ingredients, allergen information and any ‘may contain’ warning for the specific child who’ll be having the biscuit.

Are individually wrapped biscuits more convenient for party bags?

They can make it easier to fill one bag per child. First check that the biscuit meets the relevant dietary requirements and that there are enough suitable portions.

What should I ask the school before packing the bags?

Ask which allergies and party food rules apply to the class, and whether a separate alternative is needed. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains which allergen information must appear on packaged food labels. You should also agree the arrangements for handing out the treats with the school or childcare setting.