If you have coeliac disease, choose breakfast cereal that is labelled ‘gluten-free’ or bears the Crossed Grain symbol on the current packaging. Only then consider the type of grain, whether it is labelled wholegrain and its nutritional value: wholemeal wheat and barley are not suitable, while gluten-free cornflakes are not automatically wholegrain.
If you have coeliac disease, check the gluten-free label on the current packaging before buying breakfast cereal. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recognises ‘gluten-free’ and the Crossed Grain symbol as clear indicators.
You may want a wholegrain product or cereal with fibre, but you need to assess these qualities separately from whether it is suitable for a gluten-free diet. Wholemeal wheat and barley are not suitable; with oats, an explicit gluten-free label is important.
Among suitably labelled cereals, compare the type of grain, fibre, sugars and salt per 100 g, the pack size and current availability.
If you have coeliac disease, check the gluten-free label first. Then compare only cereals that meet this requirement for wholegrain status, nutritional value and practical availability.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free label | Look for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol on the current packaging; also read the ingredients and allergen information. | If I have coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on the type of grain alone; I want to see a clear gluten-free label. This check comes first for around 42% of consumers. |
| Wholegrain and fibre | Once you’ve checked the gluten-free label, see which grain is used, whether the product is explicitly labelled wholegrain and how much fibre it contains per 100 g. | If I’m also looking for wholegrain, I don’t want to mistake a fibre content for a wholegrain label. This combination is the deciding factor for around 33% of consumers. |
| Nutritional value | Compare sugars, salt and fibre per 100 g, and also check the stated serving size. | If I eat the same cereal regularly, I want to compare its nutritional value with other gluten-free options. This matters most to around 17% of consumers. |
| Pack size and availability | Check the pack size and whether the product is available when you plan to buy it. | I want to know whether I can actually buy my chosen cereal in a suitable pack size. After checking that it is gluten-free, this matters most to around 8% of consumers. |
A wholegrain label does not mean a cereal is suitable for coeliac disease. For example, Kellogg's Netherlands lists wholemeal wheat and barley in Special K Original.
Check the gluten-free label and ingredients first; only then consider whether the product is wholegrain.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oat products can become contaminated with gluten, even though oats are naturally gluten-free.
If you have coeliac disease, only choose oat products whose packaging explicitly says ‘gluten-free’ or bears the Crossed Grain symbol.
An ingredient or nutrition description may not match the packaging you’re buying now. Availability can also change.
Read the current label just before buying and check that the product is available.
Albert Heijn’s gluten-free range includes a cornflake option made with maize.
Jumbo displayed the Crossed Grain symbol on cornflakes from this range.
Jumbo described a gluten-free cornflake option from Consenza.
The wholegrain options described by Kellogg's show why a wholegrain label is no substitute for a gluten-free label.
No. Wholegrain says nothing about whether a product is labelled gluten-free: Kellogg's Netherlands lists wholemeal wheat and barley in Special K Original. If you have coeliac disease, check the gluten-free label and ingredients first.
Only choose oat flakes whose packaging explicitly says ‘gluten-free’ or bears the Crossed Grain symbol. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, regular oat products are often contaminated with gluten, particularly after being processed into flour or flakes.
Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, the label ‘gluten-free’ may only be used when the food, as sold to the final consumer, contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten.
Seal the pack tightly and make sure no bread crumbs or used serving spoon introduce gluten into the cereal. Follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
