Who are you choosing biscuits for?

Choosing a gluten-free option for one guest calls for a different approach from putting out a plate of biscuits for the whole group: checking the label and serving them safely come first.

Hosting a guest with coeliac disease

You’re looking for biscuits clearly labelled gluten-free, and you check the current allergen information. The Dutch Coeliac Society also stresses the importance of avoiding cross-contamination when serving.

Planning drinks for a mixed group

You want to put out a familiar type of biscuit that others can enjoy too, without mixing gluten-free and regular biscuits. Albert Heijn, Jumbo and Schär offer a range of biscuit styles in their gluten-free ranges.

Shopping at the supermarket at the last minute

You’re looking for a suitable pack of biscuits while doing your usual shopping for drinks. Check which variety is available at the store, then read the label on the pack you actually buy.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by checking the gluten-free claim and allergen information on the packaging. Then decide which type of biscuit, quantity and shopping option will work best for your get-together.

What to consider What to check Who is it important for?
Coeliac disease and cross-contamination The ‘gluten-free’ claim and allergen information on the current packaging; use a separate plate and clean utensils when serving. If a guest has coeliac disease, I don’t want crumbs from regular biscuits ending up in their portion. Around 36% of consumers put this safety consideration first.
Flavour and sharing The type of biscuit and the number in the pack; check for any other relevant allergens for each variety. For a mixed group, I’m looking for a familiar flavour that several guests can enjoy. Around 21% of consumers put this at the top of their wish list.
Availability Whether the variety you want is available at your chosen store, and what the label on the pack says. When drinks are starting soon, I want to be able to pick up the biscuits with my usual shopping. Around 29% of consumers say immediate availability is the most important factor.
Number of portions The net weight and number of biscuits per pack in relation to the size of the group. I want to put out enough biscuits without losing sight of the gluten-free portions. Around 14% of consumers give the amount in the pack top priority.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a biscuit without wheat ingredients is gluten-free

    An ingredients list with no obvious wheat ingredient is no substitute for a gluten-free claim. Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, a food may only be labelled ‘gluten-free’ if it contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten.

    For a guest with coeliac disease, check both the ‘gluten-free’ claim and the allergen information on the current packaging.

  • Putting gluten-free and regular biscuits on the same plate

    Crumbs and used serving utensils can transfer gluten. The Dutch Coeliac Society warns that cross-contamination can make people with coeliac disease ill.

    Use a separate plate and clean utensils for the gluten-free biscuits, ideally from a new or unopened pack.

  • Serving Lotus Biscoff Original as gluten-free spiced biscuits

    Lotus lists wheat flour as an ingredient in Biscoff Original, so it is not a gluten-free choice for a guest with coeliac disease.

    For the gluten-free plate, choose a spiced biscuit variety whose current packaging says ‘gluten-free’. If you like, serve Biscoff Original separately for guests who don’t need gluten-free biscuits.

  • Assuming every store stocks the same biscuits

    A range page or a product you’ve seen before doesn’t tell you which variety will be available on your next visit. This can be particularly tricky when drinks are starting soon after you’ve done your shopping.

    Check that your chosen store has the variety you want, and be ready to pick a different biscuit on the day if necessary. Make sure its packaging clearly says ‘gluten-free’.

Brands and store ranges to consider

The ranges below give you a starting point when choosing a type of biscuit and where to shop. Always check the label of the specific product: a brand name alone doesn’t tell you whether every variety is suitable.

AH Glutenvrij

Albert Heijn’s AH Glutenvrij range includes Double cookies, speculaas and chocolate chip cookies, giving you different styles to choose from in one supermarket.

  • Several familiar biscuit styles to choose from.
  • Albert Heijn advises checking the packaging before eating a product, as product information can change.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten

This Jumbo range includes speculaas, digestives and stroopwafels. Check your chosen variety if you have dietary requirements beyond avoiding gluten.

  • A choice of different biscuit types in one gluten-free range.
  • A range overview doesn’t confirm that every variety is available at your chosen store.

Schär

Schär offers Choco Chip Cookies, Vanilla Creams and digestives, among other products. The choice of styles can be useful if you’re looking for a particular type of biscuit.

  • A range of biscuit types from the same brand.
  • Check the current ingredients and allergen information for each variety if other dietary requirements are relevant.

ALDI: Heerlijck Banket en Trader Joe’s

ALDI lists Heerlijck Banket coconut macaroons and Trader Joe’s Rice Cookies as gluten-free options for people shopping in store.

  • A choice between coconut macaroons and rice biscuits.
  • Check which packs are available in store and read the label on the one you choose.

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus Biscoff Original can be offered as a separate regular biscuit option, but it is not an alternative for the gluten-free plate.

  • A familiar speculoos option for guests who don’t need to avoid gluten.
  • Lotus says Biscoff Original contains wheat flour and lists gluten as an allergen. Keep the plate and utensils separate.

Lidl

Lidl is only a useful place to shop if you can confirm that a suitable biscuit is available on the shelves.

  • A possible option if you’re already shopping at Lidl and find a specific suitable product.
  • Don’t rely on a range overview alone; check the packaging of the biscuits you buy.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

When can ‘gluten-free’ appear on a pack of biscuits?

Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, a food may be labelled ‘gluten-free’ if it contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten. Check for this claim on the packaging of the variety you buy.

Is an ingredients list with no wheat enough for a guest with coeliac disease?

No. For this get-together, choose biscuits whose current packaging explicitly says ‘gluten-free’. Also check the ingredients and allergens, especially if there are other dietary requirements to consider.

How should I serve gluten-free biscuits alongside regular biscuits?

Serve them on a separate plate with clean utensils, and make sure crumbs from regular biscuits don’t get onto them. The Dutch Coeliac Society points out that cross-contamination can make people with coeliac disease ill.

Can Lotus Biscoff Original go on the gluten-free biscuit plate?

No. Lotus says Lotus Biscoff Original contains wheat flour. You can offer it as a regular option, but keep it separate from the gluten-free biscuits and use different serving utensils.

Are gluten-free biscuits automatically suitable for other dietary requirements too?

No. The ‘gluten-free’ label doesn’t tell you anything about ingredients such as milk, eggs, soya or nuts. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of your chosen variety for each guest.