Who is this relevant to?

Travellers with coeliac disease

You want to check the gluten-free claim and allergens on the packaging of the exact chocolate biscuit you’re buying before you travel, rather than relying on a brand name or type of biscuit.

Travellers short on time at Schiphol

You want to take a sealed pack of biscuits in your hand luggage, so you don’t have to search for a suitable snack at a shop first.

Travellers avoiding other allergens too

As well as gluten, you may need to check for milk, egg, soya or nuts, for example. A gluten-free product won’t automatically meet those other requirements.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by checking the gluten-free claim on the packaging of the exact variant. Then compare the other allergens and choose packaging that suits your travel plans.

What to consider What to check when buying Most relevant to
Gluten-free claim Look for ‘gluten-free’ on the current packaging and read the ingredients for the exact variant. According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, the term ‘gluten-free’ may be used when a product contains less than 20 mg of gluten per kg. If I have coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on a biscuit’s appearance or brand name. Checking the gluten-free claim is the top priority for around 36% of consumers.
Packaging for travel Consider whether you want to be able to open one portion at a time, and check that the packaging is undamaged. Albert Heijn describes the gluten-free Twix Chocolate & caramel cookies as individually wrapped portions. If I’m not opening my snack until I’m travelling, I want to take a sealed portion with me. This is the main buying concern for around 29% of consumers.
Other allergens Read both the listed ingredients and any warnings about the possible presence of allergens; a claim about gluten or lactose doesn’t cover other allergens. I need to avoid another allergen as well as gluten, so I want to be able to check the whole label. Around 21% of consumers make this additional check their top priority.
When to buy Compare what you can take with you before setting off. If you’re buying at Schiphol, ask the shop about its current range and allergen information; Schiphol lists gluten-free options on request. If I don’t want to rely on one shop, I’d rather buy my biscuits in advance. Around 14% of consumers prioritise this when considering availability.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a familiar biscuit is gluten-free

    Lotus Bakeries lists wheat flour as an ingredient in its original Biscoff speculoos biscuits. A brand name or handy pack doesn’t tell you whether a particular biscuit is gluten-free.

    Check for an explicit gluten-free claim and read the label of the variant you’re actually buying.

  • Confusing gluten-free with free from other allergens

    Gluten-free chocolate biscuits may still contain milk, egg, soya or nuts, or carry a warning about the possible presence of these allergens.

    Compare the full allergen information on the packaging with the substances you need to avoid.

  • Relying on a range that may change

    A gluten-free biscuit you’ve seen in a shop before may not be available when you travel.

    Buy your travel snack in advance if you need a particular variant, and check the label of any alternative too.

  • Waiting until you’re at Schiphol to look for a suitable product

    Schiphol lists gluten-free options on request, but that doesn’t confirm that a particular chocolate biscuit is available at a specific shop.

    If you’re short on time, take a pre-checked, sealed pack with you. If you’re buying at Schiphol, ask about the product currently available and its allergen information.

Brands and product ranges compared

Verkade

Verkade describes Oaties as gluten-free and also offers a milk chocolate variant.

  • According to Verkade, Oaties contain gluten-free oats and gluten-free oat flour.
  • Check the gluten-free claim and other allergens for the milk chocolate variant on the current packaging; information about Oaties doesn’t apply to all Verkade biscuits.

Schär

Choco Chip Cookies are a specific chocolate chip option to compare for gluten and other allergens.

  • Albert Heijn describes these cookies as gluten-free and wheat-free.
  • The product information lists soya; check the current packaging too if you need to avoid other allergens.

AH Glutenvrij

Chocolate chip cookies are a gluten-free option if you want to check the packaging before you travel.

  • Albert Heijn describes these cookies as being made in a completely gluten-free environment.
  • The product information lists egg, milk and hazelnut, among other ingredients; check the packaging if you have additional allergen restrictions.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij

The range includes Lekker Vrij van Gluten Digestives Melkchocolade, weighing 165 g.

  • This is a separately labelled gluten-free milk chocolate digestive to compare with other types of biscuit.
  • Check the ingredients and allergens on the specific pack, especially if you need to avoid anything besides gluten.

Céréal

The chocolate biscuits reviewed are labelled gluten-free and lactose-free.

  • The lactose-free label is useful if you want to avoid lactose as well as gluten.
  • Jumbo lists soya and the possible presence of egg, nuts, sesame, lupin and milk proteins, among other allergens. Lactose-free doesn’t mean free from these allergens.

Joybuy products

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take a pack of gluten-free chocolate biscuits in my hand luggage through Schiphol?

Yes, you can take a pack of solid chocolate biscuits in your hand luggage; Schiphol lists food as permitted in hand luggage. Different rules apply to liquid or spreadable foods.

Can I buy a gluten-free chocolate biscuit at Schiphol?

Schiphol lists gluten-free options on request, but doesn’t specify whether a particular chocolate biscuit is available. Ask at the shop which products are available at the time and check the allergen information for them.

Is ‘wheat-free’ enough if I have coeliac disease?

No. Choose a product with an explicit gluten-free claim on the current packaging. The Dutch Coeliac Society explains that ‘gluten-free’ means a product contains less than 20 mg of gluten per kg; ‘wheat-free’ isn’t the same label.

Why should I check other allergens in gluten-free biscuits too?

Because gluten-free doesn’t mean a biscuit is free from milk, egg, soya or nuts. If you have another restriction, check both the ingredients and any warnings on the packaging of the exact variant.