Hotel buyers catering for guests with coeliac disease
They look for chocolate biscuits with a clear gluten-free label and up-to-date allergen information. The NHG describes a strict gluten-free diet as the starting point for coeliac disease.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Buffet planners catering for a range of dietary requirements
As well as checking that products are gluten-free, they need to check separately for lactose, milk, soya, oats and potential allergens. A gluten-free label does not answer those other questions.
Breakfast managers responsible for buffet information
They want to be able to show or explain the correct product information for the biscuits being served, especially when the original packaging is not beside the buffet.
What should you look for when buying?
Start by checking that the exact product variant is labelled gluten-free. Then check for other allergens and decide how guests can access that information based on how you plan to present the biscuits on the buffet.
| What to check | Buying check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free label | Check the label and allergen information on the latest packaging for the exact product variant. | When buying for guests with coeliac disease, I want to be able to identify which biscuit is labelled gluten-free. For around 42% of consumers, this check comes first. |
| Additional dietary requirements | Compare the listed allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings for each product variant. | If a lactose-free option is also needed, or another allergen needs to be avoided, I want to assess those features separately. These additional requirements are the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Buffet setup | Decide how guests will access information about loose biscuits, and confirm availability before planning the menu. | I want to be able to provide accurate information at the buffet without relying on one product variant that may change. For around 25% of consumers, practical considerations come first. |
Common mistakes when buying for the buffet
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Assuming ‘gluten-free’ means ‘free from all allergens’
Gluten-free chocolate biscuits may contain milk, soya or oats, for example. Warnings about the possible presence of other allergens also vary from product to product.
Check the exact product variant and provide information about other allergens separately from the gluten-free label.
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Serving loose biscuits without making allergen information easy to find
According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for non-prepacked foods must be provided to consumers in a way other than on packaging.
For example, put an information card beside the product, or make it clear to guests who they can ask before choosing.
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Treating a range listing as a guarantee of availability
A product appearing in a retailer’s range does not mean that the exact biscuit variant will be available for a future buffet.
Confirm availability before planning the menu, and check the product information for any alternative too.
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Continuing to use an old product specification
A product page you checked previously may not match the packaging of a new delivery.
Check the packaging when it arrives and update the buffet information to match the variant actually being served.
Brands and product ranges to consider
Verkade
Verkade describes Oaties Milk Chocolate as a gluten-free biscuit with oat flakes and milk chocolate.
- An option to consider if you are specifically looking for a gluten-free oat biscuit with chocolate.
- Check for milk, soya and oats if guests need to avoid them; also check the latest packaging for other allergen information.
Schär
Albert Heijn describes Schär Choco Chip Cookies as gluten-free biscuits with chocolate chips.
- A recognisable chocolate biscuit option for anyone looking for an explicit gluten-free product label.
- The product information lists soya; check the packaging you receive before serving these biscuits to guests with additional allergies.
Céréal
Jumbo describes Céréal Gluten-Free & Lactose-Free Chocolate Biscuits as both gluten-free and lactose-free.
- A relevant option when the buffet needs a lactose-free chocolate biscuit as well as a gluten-free one.
- The product specification lists soya and possible traces of, among other things, egg, milk, nuts, sesame and lupin. Lactose-free does not mean free from these allergens.
Jumbo Lekker Vrij
Jumbo describes Lekker Vrij Gluten-Free Digestives Milk Chocolate as gluten-free digestive biscuits with milk chocolate.
- A digestive-style option to consider if this type of biscuit suits your buffet.
- According to the product information, this variant contains milk, oats and soya, and may contain nuts.
AH Glutenvrij
AH Glutenvrij is a own-brand range to explore alongside the other gluten-free chocolate biscuits at Albert Heijn.
- Albert Heijn’s product category is a useful starting point for comparing individual variants.
- Check the latest packaging and availability for each product you choose; a category page does not describe every variant supplied.
A gluten-free oat biscuit with chocolate at Joybuy
This Verkade Oaties with milk chocolate is worth considering if you are looking for a chocolate biscuit labelled gluten-free for the breakfast buffet. Check separately whether oats and the other listed allergens are suitable for the guests you are buying for.
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Verkade Gluten-Free Oaties Milk Chocolate 150 g
A gluten-free labelled oat biscuit with milk chocolate for a buffet where guests are looking for chocolate biscuits. When it arrives, check the packaging for milk, soya, oats and any warning about nuts. If a guest needs to avoid oats, ask whether this variant is suitable; if serving the biscuits loose, make sure guests can access allergen information before choosing.
Frequently asked questions
How should I provide allergen information for loose biscuits on the breakfast buffet?
Make allergen information available to guests before they choose a biscuit. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information for non-prepacked foods must be provided in a way other than on the packaging; a clearly labelled card beside the product is one practical option.
Is a biscuit with no visible wheat suitable for a guest with coeliac disease?
No. Appearance, or the absence of visible wheat, is not enough to make that decision. The NHG describes a strict gluten-free diet for coeliac disease, so check that the exact product variant is labelled gluten-free and read its latest packaging.
Does gluten-free also mean lactose-free or free from other allergens?
No, you need to check these separately. Jumbo describes Céréal’s chocolate biscuits as both gluten-free and lactose-free, but also lists soya and the possible presence of other allergens. The information varies for other gluten-free products too.
Which product information should I use for a new delivery?
Use the packaging of the biscuits actually delivered as the basis for the buffet information. When they arrive, compare the exact product variant and allergen details with your cards or other information for guests, and make sure these match the product being served.