Host with a guest who has coeliac disease
You want to offer a clearly identifiable gluten-free chocolate biscuit and avoid contact with regular biscuits and crumbs when handing them out.
Who is this for?
Party planner catering for several allergies
As well as gluten, you may need to check for milk, eggs, nuts or soya for a particular guest. A gluten-free claim doesn’t answer those other questions.
Host planning to hand out biscuits
You’re comparing the pack size and number of servings, and thinking about how to offer the gluten-free alternative separately and make it easy to identify.
What should you look for when choosing?
If you’re catering for a guest with coeliac disease, check for a gluten-free claim first. Then read the other allergen information and consider how to serve the biscuits without them coming into contact with regular biscuits.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free claim | Look for the exact words ‘gluten-free’ on the pack you’re buying. | When choosing biscuits for someone with coeliac disease, I want to be able to see the gluten-free claim on the pack. Around 46% of consumers put this check first. |
| Other allergens | Read the ingredients, allergen information and any warnings such as ‘may contain’. | If a guest also needs to avoid milk, eggs, nuts or soya, I want to choose a biscuit that meets their needs. Checking for these additional allergens is the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Serving at the party | Compare the pack size or number of servings, and use a separate plate or serving utensils. | For a treat, I want to be able to put out enough biscuits without them ending up among the regular ones. Practical serving arrangements are the main concern for around 27% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Looking only for ‘wheat-free’
Avoiding wheat isn’t the same as choosing a gluten-free product: rye and barley also contain gluten. Under Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, a product labelled ‘gluten-free’ must contain no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten as sold.
For a guest with coeliac disease, choose a pack labelled ‘gluten-free’, then read the ingredients and allergen information.
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Assuming gluten-free also means free from other allergens
Product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo shows that gluten-free chocolate biscuits may contain milk, eggs, hazelnuts or soya. A lactose-free claim doesn’t replace the need to check for other allergens either.
Ask which ingredients your guest needs to avoid, then compare these with the information on the specific pack.
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Putting gluten-free biscuits among regular biscuits
According to the Dutch Nutrition Centre, even a stray bread crumb can cause symptoms in someone with coeliac disease. A shared plate or pair of tongs can transfer crumbs.
Put the gluten-free biscuits out separately, use dedicated serving utensils and make sure guests know which biscuits they are.
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Relying solely on a product page you viewed earlier
Albert Heijn points out that a product’s ingredients and allergen information can change.
Just before the party, read the label on the pack you’ll actually be using, including the allergen warnings and best-before date.
Brands and product ranges to consider
Jumbo Lekker Vrij
The gluten-free milk chocolate digestives are a biscuit-style option.
- Jumbo labels this product gluten-free and displays the Crossed Grain symbol.
- The product contains milk, oats and soya, and may contain nuts. Check that it’s suitable for the guests you’re serving.
AH Glutenvrij
The 160 g Chocolate Chip Cookies are biscuits with milk chocolate pieces and hazelnuts.
- Albert Heijn states that this product is made in a fully gluten-free environment.
- These biscuits contain milk, lactose, eggs and hazelnuts. Check the pack for any other dietary requirements.
Schär
Choco Chip Cookies are a gluten-free chocolate biscuit option.
- Jumbo’s product information also describes these biscuits as lactose-free.
- The product contains soya, so it isn’t suitable for a guest who needs to avoid soya.
Céréal
These gluten-free and lactose-free chocolate biscuits combine two claims that may be relevant to different guests.
- Jumbo describes this specific product as gluten-free and lactose-free.
- It contains soya; eggs, milk, nuts, sesame and lupin are also listed as possible ingredients.
Verkade
Gv Oaties Milk Chocolate are oat biscuits with milk chocolate.
- The product information describes gluten-free oats as an ingredient.
- The product contains milk, oats and soya, and may contain nuts. Verkade also points out that a small number of people with coeliac disease may be sensitive to oat protein (avenin); if in doubt, discuss oats with your guest.
Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is ‘gluten-free’ on a chocolate biscuit enough for a guest with coeliac disease?
It’s the first claim you should check: under Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, ‘gluten-free’ can only be used if the food, as sold, contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten. Also check the other allergens on the current pack and prevent contact with crumbs from regular biscuits.
Can regular and gluten-free Halloween biscuits go on the same plate?
If you’re serving someone with coeliac disease, it’s best to use a separate plate and serving utensils so that crumbs don’t get onto the gluten-free biscuits. The Dutch Nutrition Centre warns that even a stray bread crumb can cause symptoms.
Is a lactose-free biscuit also suitable for someone with a milk allergy?
Don’t assume so: check the ingredients and allergen warnings for the specific product. For example, Céréal’s lactose-free chocolate biscuits state that milk may be present.
How should you store gluten-free biscuits until the Halloween party?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack and keep it separate from opened packs of regular biscuits. Albert Heijn recommends storing its Chocolate Chip Cookies in a cool, dark and dry place; Verkade advises resealing the Gv Oaties pack after opening and storing it in a cool, dry place.