Anyone buying biscuits for someone with coeliac disease
For you, the gluten-free label and any cross-contamination warnings come before a preference for a particular brand or flavour. Check the packaging of the product you’re actually buying.
Who are these biscuits for?
Anyone looking for a quick, small top-up
You want a pack for a single biscuit break, perhaps with a coffee or on the go. Albert Heijn lists its gluten-free almond biscuits in a 45 g pack.
Anyone managing several dietary restrictions
As well as being gluten-free, the biscuit may also need to be suitable for someone avoiding lactose or allergens such as milk, nuts, soya, egg or lupin. Check each of these separately on the label.
What should you look for when choosing?
When you’re quickly picking up gluten-free biscuits, first check that the current packaging is suitable for the person who’ll be eating them. Then you can choose a pack size and flavour to suit the occasion.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Choosing for coeliac disease | Look for the gluten-free label on the current packaging. Also check for warnings about gluten-containing cereals; according to the Dutch Coeliac Association, ‘may contain gluten-containing cereals’ means the same as ‘not suitable for people with coeliac disease’. | If I’m picking up biscuits for someone with coeliac disease, I want to know the pack is suitable for them. Around 36% of consumers put this reassurance first. |
| Other exclusions | Read the ingredients and allergen information for anything that needs to be avoided. Treat a lactose-free label separately from any statements about milk or other allergens. | If gluten isn’t the only concern and lactose or another allergen also needs to be avoided, the gluten-free label alone isn’t enough; around 21% of consumers prioritise these additional exclusions. |
| Pack size and shop | Check the pack weight and whether the product is available at the shop you’re going to. A product listing doesn’t tell you whether it’s in stock at your local branch. | For a single biscuit break, I don’t want to take a bigger pack than I need or make a special trip for nothing. Around 29% of consumers prioritise a suitable pack that’s readily available. |
| Sweet or savoury | Once you’ve checked dietary requirements and allergens, choose between options such as almond biscuits, chocolate cookies, coconut macaroons and savoury cheese biscuits. | I’m looking for something different to have with coffee than I am for a snack with drinks; around 14% of consumers consider flavour their first priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘gluten-free’ means ‘free from all allergens’
A gluten-free biscuit may still contain ingredients such as milk, soya, egg, nuts or lupin. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must be shown on the label of pre-packed products.
Check the ingredients and allergen information again if anything besides gluten needs to be avoided.
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Overlooking a cross-contamination warning
According to the Dutch Coeliac Association, ‘may contain gluten-containing cereals’ and ‘not suitable for people with coeliac disease’ mean the same thing when making this choice.
If you’re choosing for someone with coeliac disease, pick another product if either of these statements appears on the current packaging.
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Confusing a shop listing with local stock
ALDI lists gluten-free coconut macaroons and rice biscuits on its product pages, but directs shoppers to its stores for these products.
Check the local range before making a special trip to a branch for one product.
Otherwise, you may need to make an extra trip to the shop or choose something else.
Brands and ranges to consider
AH Glutenvrij
Albert Heijn’s range includes sweet almond biscuits and savoury Gouda cheese biscuits.
- Albert Heijn says its almond biscuits are made in a completely gluten-free environment.
- The almond biscuits contain egg, soya and almonds, among other ingredients. The Gouda cheese biscuits contain milk, lactose and lupin, and may contain nuts and sesame.
Jumbo Lekker Vrij
Jumbo’s biscuit range includes spiced biscuits, syrup waffles and chocolate digestives.
- The different types of biscuits give you options for a range of occasions.
- Check each pack you choose for details of any other allergens it may contain.
Céréal
Jumbo lists Céréal chocolate biscuits as both gluten-free and lactose-free.
- These labels are useful if lactose also needs to be avoided.
- The biscuits contain soya and may contain eggs, milk, nuts, sesame seeds and lupin. Check the current packaging against your dietary requirements.
ALDI / Heerlijck Banket en Trader Joe's
ALDI lists gluten-free coconut macaroons from Heerlijck Banket and gluten-free rice biscuits from Trader Joe's.
- The products listed give you a choice between coconut macaroons and rice biscuits.
- Check whether the product is available at your local branch and read the current packaging there.
Related products on Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is ‘wheat-free’ enough when I’m buying biscuits for someone with coeliac disease?
No. ‘Wheat-free’ isn’t the same as ‘gluten-free’: other cereals also contain gluten. For this choice, look for an explicit gluten-free label on the current packaging and check for cross-contamination warnings.
What does ‘may contain gluten-containing cereals’ mean?
According to the Dutch Coeliac Association, for someone with coeliac disease this warning means the same as ‘not suitable for people with coeliac disease’. In that case, choose another biscuit with an explicit gluten-free label.
Are gluten-free biscuits also lactose-free or free from other allergens?
No, check each of these separately. For example, Albert Heijn’s gluten-free Gouda cheese biscuits contain milk, lactose and lupin; Jumbo’s gluten-free and lactose-free Céréal chocolate biscuits contain soya.
Can I take oat biscuits for someone with coeliac disease?
Don’t choose based on the word ‘oat’ alone; check that the specific product is labelled gluten-free. For oat products, the Dutch Coeliac Association recommends looking for the Crossed Grain symbol where possible.
Can I rely on the allergen information on a product page?
Use the product page to find options, but check the packaging of the biscuits you buy before eating them. Albert Heijn says that ingredients, nutritional values and dietary or allergen information may change.