People with coeliac disease
You’re looking for a breakfast product labelled gluten-free on its current packaging. The regular cano biscuits listed with ingredients by Albert Heijn and Jumbo contain wheat.
Who are these alternatives for?
Commuters with no time to prepare
You want to take a single portion with you without having to cut anything at home. Albert Heijn lists its gluten-free breakfast cake bar as one portion per pack; Jumbo’s 300 g gluten-free breakfast cake is uncut.
Fans of a biscuit-style alternative
You’re mainly after something sweet and biscuit-like to take with you, and don’t mind that an oat biscuit or breakfast cake is different from a cano biscuit. The product’s shape and packaging determine how much portioning you’ll need to do in advance.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, check the gluten-free claim and allergen information on the packaging. Then decide whether you want a portion you can take straight away or a larger pack that you’ll need to divide up at home.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free claim | Look for ‘gluten-free’ on the current packaging and read the ingredients and allergen information. | If I have coeliac disease, I want to see that my breakfast is labelled gluten-free, rather than judging by whether it looks like a cano biscuit. For around 50% of consumers, this claim is their main concern. |
| Portion for on the go | Check the number of portions per pack and whether you need to cut or divide the product before taking it with you. | If I need to head straight out, I want to be able to take a single portion without preparing anything. This convenience comes first for around 30% of consumers. |
| Type of biscuit | Decide whether you want a breakfast cake or an oat biscuit, and check how much is in the pack. | If you mainly want to replace the biscuit-like treat of a cano biscuit, you may be happy with a different shape and texture. For around 20% of consumers, this biscuit-style alternative is their top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a regular cano biscuit is gluten-free
The regular cano biscuits listed with ingredients by Albert Heijn and Jumbo contain wheat. A similar biscuit shape doesn’t mean a product is labelled gluten-free.
If you have coeliac disease, choose a product whose current packaging explicitly says ‘gluten-free’.
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Relying only on older online product information
Albert Heijn points out that ingredients, nutritional information and allergen information can change. That’s why the packaging of the product you buy matters when making your choice.
Read the current ingredients and allergen information, even if you’ve bought the product before.
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Confusing a large pack with a single portion to take with you
Jumbo’s 300 g gluten-free breakfast cake is uncut. Albert Heijn lists its 65 g gluten-free breakfast cake bar as one portion per pack.
Only take an uncut breakfast cake as a ready-to-eat breakfast option if you can cut and wrap a portion in advance.
Brands and product ranges to consider
AH Glutenvrij
Albert Heijn offers a 65 g gluten-free breakfast cake bar and lists it as one portion per pack.
- Albert Heijn says the bar is made in a completely gluten-free environment.
- The product information also mentions milk, lactose and lupin. Check the current packaging if you need to avoid these allergens.
Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten
Jumbo offers an uncut 300 g gluten-free breakfast cake for anyone who can portion it at home.
- Jumbo displays the crossed-grain symbol on this breakfast cake.
- The cake isn’t a ready-to-eat single portion. Check the allergen information on the packaging too.
Verkade
Verkade describes Oaties as gluten-free oat biscuits: a biscuit-style alternative, not a cano biscuit or breakfast cake.
- An option if you’d rather take an oat biscuit than breakfast cake.
- Check the specific variety and packaging. According to Joybuy, the Oaties milk chocolate variety contains milk and soya.
A biscuit-style alternative on Joybuy
This oat biscuit is a good fit if you’re looking for a biscuit-style alternative to cano biscuits. For a quick breakfast on the go, check that the packaging and portion size suit your plans.
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Verkade Gv Oaties Milk Chocolate 150 g
An oat biscuit for anyone looking for a biscuit-style alternative to a cano biscuit or breakfast cake.
150 g pack; milk chocolate variety. According to Joybuy, this variety contains milk, oats and soya. Check the current packaging for the gluten-free claim and allergen information, and consider whether you’d like to take a portion with you for on the go.
Frequently asked questions
Are regular cano biscuits gluten-free?
The regular cano biscuits listed with ingredients by Albert Heijn and Jumbo aren’t gluten-free: both contain wheat. For an alternative, check that the current packaging explicitly says ‘gluten-free’.
What does ‘gluten-free’ on packaging mean?
According to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, ‘gluten-free’ may only be used if the gluten content of the food as sold to the final consumer is no more than 20 mg/kg. When choosing a product, look for the claim on the packaging of that specific product.
Should I read the allergen information as well as checking that it’s ‘gluten-free’?
Yes. A gluten-free claim doesn’t tell you which other allergens a product contains. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights that allergens are listed in the ingredients list, so always read the current packaging for the variety you’re buying.