People with coeliac disease
You’re looking for a chocolate biscuit labelled gluten-free and want to check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging before eating it.
Who might these options suit?
People who also avoid lactose
As well as a gluten-free option, you’re looking for one that’s lactose-free. If you have a milk protein allergy, check the allergen information separately: lactose-free doesn’t mean milk protein-free.
People who prefer a particular type of biscuit
Once you’ve checked that it’s labelled gluten-free, consider the type of biscuit, the pack size and whether an oat-based option is right for you.
What should you look for when choosing?
If you’re looking for gluten-free chocolate biscuits for your shopping basket, start with the label on the pack. Then consider which other features matter most to you.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is it important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free label | Check the gluten-free label, ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging. | If I have coeliac disease, I want to check before buying that this particular biscuit is labelled gluten-free. This is the top priority for around 39% of consumers. |
| Lactose and other allergens | If needed, look for a lactose-free label and read the full allergen information; check separately for milk proteins. | If I also avoid lactose or another allergen, the biscuit needs to meet more than just my gluten-free requirements. This additional check is the main priority for around 23% of consumers. |
| Pack size and availability | Compare pack sizes and check whether the biscuit you’ve chosen is available at your usual shop. | I want to find a pack that suits the occasion when I’ll be eating it as part of my usual shop. Around 23% of consumers prioritise this practical choice. |
| Oats and type of biscuit | If you’re choosing an oat biscuit, check that it’s labelled gluten-free and that you can tolerate oats. | If I’d prefer a chocolate oat biscuit, I want to know whether I can eat oats. This preference is the deciding factor for around 15% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming gluten-free means free from all allergens
A gluten-free label doesn’t tell you anything about other allergens. For example, Céréal says its gluten- and lactose-free cookies may contain milk proteins, eggs, nuts, sesame and lupin.
Read the full allergen information if you need to avoid anything besides gluten.
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Assuming every gluten-free oat biscuit is suitable
Under EU rules, oats in products labelled gluten-free must meet certain conditions to avoid contamination with gluten-containing cereals. Joybuy also notes that a small number of people with coeliac disease may be sensitive to avenin in oats when it comes to Verkade GV Oaties Melkchocolade.
Check the gluten-free label and only choose an oat biscuit if you know you can tolerate oats.
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Treating the online description as the definitive label
Ingredients and allergen information can change when a product is reformulated; Albert Heijn points this out in its product information.
Read the label on the pack you actually buy, even if you chose the biscuit online.
Brands to consider
Schär
Schär offers Choco Chip Cookies Glutenvrij in a 100 g pack.
- A chocolate chip biscuit for anyone looking specifically for this type.
- Check the current packaging to make sure the other ingredients and allergens are suitable for you.
Céréal
Céréal offers 150 g chocolate biscuits that the brand describes as gluten-free and lactose-free.
- The gluten-free and lactose-free combination may be useful if you need to avoid both.
- Céréal says the biscuits may contain milk proteins, among other things; lactose-free doesn’t mean suitable for someone with a milk protein allergy.
Damhert
Damhert offers a 165 g Glutenvrij Haverkoek Chocolate oat biscuit.
- A chocolate oat biscuit if you’re specifically looking for this type; Damhert states that it contains 5.1 g of fibre per 100 g.
- An oat biscuit is only a suitable choice if you can tolerate oats.
Jumbo Lekker Vrij
Within this range, Jumbo lists Digestives Melkchocolade, 165 g, with a gluten-free label.
- A milk chocolate digestive for anyone looking for this type of biscuit.
- Check the gluten-free label and other allergens on the packaging you buy.
Verkade
Verkade GV Oaties Melkchocolade, 150 g, is a variety made with gluten-free oats.
- An option to consider if you’re looking for a milk chocolate oat biscuit.
- For this product, Joybuy lists milk, soya and possible nuts, and notes that a small number of people with coeliac disease may be sensitive to avenin. Check the current packaging.
Related products on Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
When can a biscuit be labelled gluten-free?
Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, a product may be labelled gluten-free if, as sold to the final consumer, it contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten. Oats in such a product must also meet certain conditions to avoid contamination with wheat, rye and barley.
Is lactose-free suitable for someone with a milk protein allergy?
No. A lactose-free label doesn’t rule out milk proteins. Céréal describes its chocolate biscuits as gluten-free and lactose-free, but also states that they may contain milk proteins, so check the allergen information on the pack.
Can I rely on the allergen information in an online shop?
Use it to compare biscuits, but also read the label on the pack you buy. Albert Heijn warns that product information, including ingredients and allergens, can change.
What should I check when buying loose biscuits at a market?
Before buying, ask for the allergen information for the specific biscuit and whether it is labelled gluten-free. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergen information must also be available for loose foods before purchase; don’t rely on a description that merely says it contains no wheat.