People buying for someone with coeliac disease
You’re looking for a chocolate biscuit with a gluten-free label on the exact product, and want to prevent it coming into contact with gluten-containing crumbs when served.
Who are these biscuits for?
Buyers with additional allergen restrictions
As well as gluten, you may also need to check for milk, lactose, soya, egg, nuts or sesame. Gluten-free says nothing about whether these other ingredients or allergens are present.
Buyers who want a snack to take with them
For an afternoon snack at work, school or on the go, check whether your chosen biscuit is individually wrapped and what serving size is stated on the pack.
What should you look for when choosing?
If you’re buying for someone with coeliac disease, first check that the exact pack is labelled gluten-free. Then compare the other allergens and the packaging with the situation in which you plan to eat the biscuits.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free labelling | Check the label on the exact pack and keep the biscuit separate from gluten-containing crumbs when serving. | If there are ordinary biscuits on the table too, I want to be able to serve my gluten-free biscuit separately. For around 40% of consumers, gluten-free suitability is their top purchase concern. |
| Other allergens and lactose | Read the ingredients and allergen information, including any warnings about the possible presence of other allergens; assess any lactose-free label separately. | I need to avoid ingredients other than gluten too, so I don’t want to rely on the word gluten-free alone. Additional allergens are the top purchase concern for around 30% of consumers. |
| Portion and packaging | Check the number of biscuits, the serving size and whether they are individually wrapped. | For an afternoon snack when I’m out, I want to be able to take a defined portion with me. This convenience is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ordinary biscuits or oat biscuits are gluten-free
According to Lotus Bakeries, Lotus Biscoff Original Speculoos contains wheat flour and gluten. With oats too, it’s important to check that the exact product is labelled gluten-free.
Before buying, check the current packaging and ingredients list for the variant you’ve chosen.
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Stopping at the gluten-free label
Gluten-free chocolate biscuits may still contain milk, egg, soya or nuts. A lactose-free label doesn’t rule out other allergens either.
Compare the full allergen information on the exact pack with all the ingredients relevant to you.
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Serving the biscuit alongside ordinary biscuits
The Dutch Coeliac Society points out that gluten-containing crumbs can get onto gluten-free food via hands, worktops or shared kitchen utensils.
Keep the biscuit wrapped until you’re ready to serve it, if possible, and use clean hands and a separate, clean surface.
Brands and product ranges to consider
Verkade
Oaties Melkchocolade is a specific gluten-free oat biscuit with milk chocolate; it doesn’t mean that all Verkade biscuits are gluten-free.
- Verkade says that Oaties Melkchocolade contains gluten-free oat flakes and gluten-free oat flour.
- The product contains milk and soya; Joybuy also states that it may contain nuts.
AH Glutenvrij
Chocolate chip cookies are an option if you’re looking for a cookie with milk chocolate and hazelnut.
- Albert Heijn says this product is made in a completely gluten-free environment.
- These cookies contain egg, milk, lactose and hazelnut.
Schär
Choco Chip Cookies are gluten-free chocolate cookies from a specialist product range.
- Albert Heijn’s product information describes the cookies as gluten-free, wheat-free and lactose-free, with 12% chocolate.
- The product contains soya; if you have additional restrictions, check the full label.
Céréal
These chocolate biscuits are an option if, as well as a gluten-free product, you’re looking for a lactose-free label.
- Jumbo describes the exact product as gluten-free and lactose-free.
- It contains soya and may also contain egg, milk, nuts, sesame and lupin.
Lotus Biscoff
Standard Original Speculoos isn’t a gluten-free choice for this afternoon snack.
- Lotus Bakeries lists wheat flour as an ingredient and states that Original Speculoos contains gluten.
Gluten-free oat biscuits at Joybuy
If you’re looking for a gluten-free oat biscuit with a milk chocolate coating, this is one product to compare with other chocolate biscuits for an afternoon snack, based on its ingredients and allergens.
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Verkade Oaties Melkchocolade gluten-free, 150 g
An oat biscuit with milk chocolate for anyone looking for this variety as an afternoon snack.
Verkade says that Oaties Melkchocolade contains gluten-free oat flakes and gluten-free oat flour. The product contains milk and soya; Joybuy also states that it may contain nuts. Check the current packaging if any of these ingredients, or oats, are a concern for you.
Frequently asked questions
When can a chocolate biscuit be labelled gluten-free?
Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, the gluten-free label may only be used if the food sold to the final consumer contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten. Check the label on the current packaging of the exact biscuit.
Can I choose an oat biscuit if I have coeliac disease?
Only choose an oat biscuit if the exact product is labelled gluten-free. Oats in a product carrying this label must meet production and processing requirements to prevent contamination with wheat, rye and barley, among other things. Verkade states that Oaties Melkchocolade contains gluten-free oat flakes and gluten-free oat flour.
How should I serve gluten-free biscuits alongside ordinary biscuits?
Keep gluten-free biscuits separate from gluten-containing crumbs. If possible, keep the pack sealed until serving, and use clean hands, clean utensils and a separate area of the table.
Is lactose-free the same as gluten-free?
No. Lactose-free and gluten-free are different labels. Jumbo describes Céréal’s chocolate biscuits as both, but also lists soya and the possible presence of other allergens, so check each property that’s relevant to you separately.
Are Lotus Biscoff Original Speculoos gluten-free?
No. Lotus Bakeries lists wheat flour as an ingredient in standard Original Speculoos and states that it contains gluten. For someone with coeliac disease, choose an exact product labelled gluten-free instead.