Who are these options relevant to?

Pupils with coeliac disease

For a break-time snack, check first that the current packaging says ‘gluten-free’. Also check the ingredients and avoid contact with gluten-containing crumbs in the lunchbox.

Parents packing a biscuit

A portion needs to fit easily into a bag. If there are other allergies as well as coeliac disease, check the packaging for information about those allergens too.

Families with more than one dietary requirement

A gluten-free label doesn’t automatically answer questions about milk or soya, for example. Check any other dietary information for each product separately.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by checking the current gluten-free labelling and how you’ll pack the biscuit. Then compare other allergens, the portion size and how it fits alongside lunch.

What to consider What should you check? Who does this matter most to?
Gluten-free and packed separately Look for ‘gluten-free’ on the current packaging and keep the biscuit away from gluten-containing crumbs when packing it. For coeliac disease, I want to know that the chosen biscuit is labelled gluten-free and won’t come into contact with other lunch items; this is the top priority for around 50% of consumers.
Other allergens and portion size Read the ingredients and allergen information, including any ‘may contain’ warnings; then check the portion size and packaging. As well as choosing a gluten-free option, I need to consider other allergies and be able to take a biscuit to school; around 30% of consumers prioritise this combination.
How it fits alongside lunch Decide what to pack for lunch first, then check the biscuit’s portion size and nutritional information as a snack. I want to pack a biscuit without treating it as a complete lunch; this is the main consideration for around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Judging a regular biscuit by its appearance

    A biscuit that looks like a gluten-free version won’t necessarily have the same ingredients. With coeliac disease, contact with gluten-containing crumbs while packing it matters too.

    Choose a pack labelled ‘gluten-free’ and pack the biscuit so it doesn’t touch products containing gluten.

  • Checking only the gluten-free label

    That label doesn’t mean a biscuit is free from other allergens too. Product information can also change.

    Always check the current ingredients and allergen information, including any ‘may contain’ warnings. If there’s another allergy to consider, follow the relevant personal advice.

  • Packing a biscuit as lunch

    The gluten-free label doesn’t tell you how a biscuit fits into lunch.

    Put lunch together separately and, if you want to pack a biscuit too, choose a suitable portion as a snack.

  • Relying on an old product range

    The range of gluten-free biscuits can vary by shop and over time.

    Check which products are available and read the packaging again, even if it’s a familiar option.

Brands to compare

AH Glutenvrij

Albert Heijn has a gluten-free biscuit category that includes AH Glutenvrij almond biscuits.

  • The dedicated category makes it easier to search for biscuits labelled gluten-free.
  • Albert Heijn says that product information can change; check the packaging of the product you’re actually packing.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij

This range from Jumbo includes gluten-free speculaas biscuits.

  • A recognisable range makes it easier to look specifically for gluten-free biscuits.
  • Check each variety separately for other allergens and make sure the packaging is up to date.

Schär

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

  • The gluten-free label makes it clear which variety to look for on the packaging.
  • Don’t assume a product has other dietary properties or is suitable for additional allergies based on ‘gluten-free’ alone.

Twix

Albert Heijn lists a Twix Chocolate & caramel cookies gluten free variety and describes it as individually wrapped.

  • An individually wrapped biscuit can be handy as a break-time snack in a school bag.
  • Check the allergens in this exact variety; the packaging alone won’t tell you whether it meets other dietary requirements.

ALDI

ALDI Nederland lists gluten-free rice biscuits from Trader Joe's and coconut macaroons from Heerlijck Banket.

  • These are different types of biscuit to compare using their own packaging.
  • Check availability at each shop and the current allergen information for each product.

Lidl

Lidl promotes additional gluten-free products; if you’re interested, check which biscuits are available at the time.

  • Don’t assume there’s a fixed range of gluten-free biscuits; check each pack separately.

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus Biscoff is a standard biscuit brand you may come across when looking for an alternative.

  • Don’t treat a regular Lotus Biscoff variety as gluten-free: for coeliac disease, look for an explicit gluten-free label on the current packaging of the exact variety.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘gluten-free’ mean that a biscuit contains absolutely no gluten?

No, the label doesn’t literally mean zero gluten. For a pupil with coeliac disease, check the current packaging and also avoid contact with gluten-containing products when packing the biscuit.

Should I check the same biscuit again next time I buy it?

Yes. Albert Heijn points out that ingredients, nutritional values and allergy information can change. So read the packaging of the product you’re packing at the time.

Is a gluten-free biscuit also free from milk, soya or nuts?

Not automatically. If there’s another allergy to consider, check the ingredients, allergen information and any ‘may contain’ warning for the exact variety.

Should I ask the school about a biscuit I’ve packed?

Ask the school about its rules for bringing in, storing and sharing food. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes allergen information as part of safe food handling when a school provides food itself; this doesn’t automatically determine the arrangements for a packed lunch brought from home.

Can a gluten-free biscuit replace a school lunch?

No, treat a biscuit as a snack alongside lunch. Choose lunch separately and use the nutritional information and portion size on the packaging to compare biscuits.