Travellers with coeliac disease
You want to check that a sealed biscuit packet says gluten-free before you set off, rather than relying on a chance find at the airport.
If you have coeliac disease, choose a biscuit whose current packaging explicitly says ‘gluten-free’; a familiar brand or a vegan label isn’t enough. Checking a packaged option in advance means you won’t have to rely on what’s available at Schiphol when you need a snack. If you buy something there, ask the food outlet for its latest allergen information and check for any other allergens that are relevant to you.
You want to check that a sealed biscuit packet says gluten-free before you set off, rather than relying on a chance find at the airport.
For you, gluten-free is just the first filter. You also check the ingredients and allergen information for anything else you need to avoid.
You want to check what options are available at the food outlet you’re visiting and which allergens they contain. Schiphol says gluten-free options are available on request.
First, check the gluten-free label and look for any other allergens. Then decide whether to take biscuits with you or look for a suitable snack at Schiphol.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free label | Read the current packaging for the exact variant. Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, ‘gluten-free’ may only be stated if the food contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten for the final consumer. | If I have coeliac disease, I want to see that label before taking a biscuit with me. For around 36% of consumers, this reassurance would be the main priority. |
| Availability while travelling | If you wish, take a sealed packet with you in advance. If you buy something at Schiphol, ask your chosen outlet about its current selection and allergen information. | If I only start looking for something close to departure, I don’t want to be left without a suitable snack. Availability would therefore be the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Type and flavour of biscuit | Once you’ve checked that it’s gluten-free, compare the exact variants, such as chocolate chip cookies, speculaas or digestives. | With a cup of coffee, I want to choose a biscuit I enjoy without skipping the packaging check. For around 21% of consumers, this choice would be their main reason for buying. |
| Other allergens | As well as ‘gluten-free’, check the ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements for anything relevant to you. | If I also need to avoid other ingredients, a gluten-free label alone isn’t enough. This additional check would be the main priority for around 14% of consumers. |
The Lotus Biscoff Original Speculoos described by Albert Heijn contains wheat flour and is labelled as containing cereals containing gluten. This variant is therefore not a gluten-free choice for someone with coeliac disease.
Look for the gluten-free label on the exact biscuit variant and check the current packaging.
A gluten-free biscuit may contain ingredients or warnings that matter if you have another allergy.
Check the full allergen information, including ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’, against the things you need to avoid.
Schiphol says gluten-free options are available on request, but you’ll still need to check with a specific food outlet to find out what it has available.
Take a sealed packet of biscuits that you’ve checked in advance if you don’t want to rely on buying something there. If you make an additional purchase at Schiphol, ask for the latest allergen information.
Always compare the exact variant: a brand name alone doesn’t tell you whether a biscuit is gluten-free.
Albert Heijn describes the Choco Chip Cookies as gluten-free and wheat-free. Albert Heijn’s range page also features other Schär biscuits.
Albert Heijn’s own-brand range includes several types of gluten-free biscuits for anyone who wants to choose what to take before setting off.
Jumbo’s own-brand range includes gluten-free speculaas and digestives, among other options.
The chocolate cookies described by Jumbo are labelled as both gluten-free and lactose-free.
Lotus Biscoff Original Speculoos is a familiar biscuit, but the variant described by Albert Heijn contains wheat flour.
This packaged biscuit is an option to consider before you set off. If you have coeliac disease, first check that the current packaging explicitly says ‘gluten-free’, then read the other allergen information.
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For anyone looking for a milk chocolate biscuit to take along, provided the current packaging explicitly says ‘gluten-free’.
Pack size: 150 g. According to the Joybuy product information, store in a cool, dry place away from sunlight, heat and moisture.
Before buying, also check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.
Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, this label may be used if the food contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten for the final consumer. If you have coeliac disease, check the label on the current packaging for the exact variant, not just the brand name or recipe.
No. The Original Speculoos described by Albert Heijn contains wheat flour and is labelled as containing wheat and cereals containing gluten in the allergen information. Don’t choose this variant if you need a gluten-free biscuit.
Schiphol says gluten-free options are available on request. Ask the food outlet where you plan to buy something about its current selection and allergen information; don’t assume every snack there is gluten-free.
No. A gluten-free label on its own says nothing about lactose or nuts. The Céréal chocolate cookies described by Jumbo are also labelled as lactose-free, but always check the packaging for the exact variant for information about other allergens.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging for the product you choose. For Verkade Gv Oaties, the Joybuy product information recommends storing them in a cool, dry place away from sunlight, heat and moisture; before you set off, also check that the packaging is intact.