Families who shop strictly gluten-free
If someone in your family has coeliac disease, a biscuit that simply looks wheat-free isn’t enough. You’ll want to check for a gluten-free label or certification mark on the current packaging.
When stocking up for the family, first choose chocolate biscuits whose current packaging says ‘gluten-free’ or carries a gluten-free certification mark. Then compare the total weight and the number of individual packs, and check whether milk, soya, nuts or oats are additional concerns for anyone in your family. A larger pack doesn’t replace checking the label.
If someone in your family has coeliac disease, a biscuit that simply looks wheat-free isn’t enough. You’ll want to check for a gluten-free label or certification mark on the current packaging.
If you’re buying for several occasions, compare the total weight, the number of individual packs and, where stated, the number of portions. A multipack of separate packs also means you’ll need somewhere to store any that have been opened.
As well as gluten, milk, soya, nuts or oats may also be a concern. Check the ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements for each product, taking into account everyone who’ll be eating the biscuits.
First, make sure the biscuits meet your gluten-free requirements. Then you can compare a single pack and a multipack as options for stocking up.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free labelling | Check for ‘gluten-free’ or a gluten-free certification mark on the current packaging, and read the label. | If someone with coeliac disease will be eating them, I don’t want to rely on the look of an ordinary biscuit pack; around 50% of consumers prioritise this reassurance. |
| Family-sized stock | Compare the total weight, the number of individual packs and any stated portions. | I want to be able to portion out biscuits for several occasions without mistaking a multipack for one large pack; around 30% of consumers prioritise having enough in stock. |
| Other allergens | Read both ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’; also check whether the product is lactose-free if that’s a separate requirement. | If not everyone at home can eat the same ingredients, I need to check more than just gluten; additional ingredients are the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
No mention of wheat on the front isn’t the same as a gluten-free label. Under the EU regulation published on EUR-Lex, a food sold to consumers can only be labelled ‘gluten-free’ if the finished product contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten.
Look for ‘gluten-free’ or a gluten-free certification mark on the current packaging, and read the ingredients and allergen information too.
Albert Heijn describes its 3-pack of AH Glutenvrij Double cookies as a bundle of individual items. You get more biscuits overall, but each pack is still a separate package.
Compare the total weight and keep opened packs tightly sealed, following the instructions on the packaging.
The biscuits mentioned also differ in their statements about milk, soya, oats and other possible allergens. A gluten-free label doesn’t answer these additional questions.
Before buying, check both ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ for each product against your family’s requirements.
Albert Heijn says that ingredient and allergen information can change. This means a description you viewed previously may differ from the packaging you receive.
Check the label on the pack you receive again before eating the biscuits.
Albert Heijn lists Double cookies as gluten-free biscuits in a 200 g pack and also offers multipacks of individual packs.
Jumbo lists Digestives Melkchocolade as gluten-free biscuits in a 165 g pack containing 10 portions.
Verkade Glutenvrije Oaties Melkchocolade are oat biscuits covered in milk chocolate, in a 150 g pack.
Jumbo describes Céréal Chocoladekoekjes, in a 150 g pack, as both gluten-free and lactose-free.
No. Check the current packaging for a ‘gluten-free’ label or certification mark, and read the label. The EU only allows the ‘gluten-free’ claim when the finished product sold to consumers contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten.
Not without checking the specific product. See whether the current packaging labels the biscuits as gluten-free, and take into account any separate restrictions on oats.
No, a multipack may contain several individual packs. Albert Heijn supplies its 3-pack of AH Glutenvrij Double cookies as separate items, so compare both the total weight and the number of packs.
Not automatically. Jumbo lists milk and possible nuts for Lekker Vrij Digestives Melkchocolade. Céréal Chocoladekoekjes are described as lactose-free, but according to the product information may contain milk and nuts, among other things. Always check the current ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements.
Follow the storage instructions on each individual pack. For Verkade Glutenvrije Oaties Melkchocolade, the product information says to store in a cool, dry place and reseal the pack tightly after opening.