Anyone with coeliac disease who checks labels carefully
You don’t want to confuse ordinary cornflakes with those explicitly labelled ‘gluten-free’. The Dutch Coeliac Society recommends taking extra care if there’s no gluten-free claim.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Anyone looking for gluten-free own-brand cornflakes
You want to be able to pick up cornflakes as part of your regular shop. Even if you’ve bought a product before, check the current packaging again.
Anyone comparing nutritional information
First, make sure the cornflakes are gluten-free. Then compare factors such as fibre, sugars, serving size and pack size.
What should you look for?
When choosing cornflakes for someone with coeliac disease, first check the pack for a gluten-free claim. Only then should you use the nutritional information and pack size to compare suitable options.
| What to check | What to look for when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free claim | Check the current packaging for the words ‘gluten-free’ or a gluten-free certification mark, and read the allergen information. Under EU Regulation 828/2014, the term ‘gluten-free’ may be used for products containing no more than 20 mg of gluten per kg. | When I’m buying cornflakes for someone with coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on corn being the main ingredient. Around 50% of consumers give this check top priority. |
| Nutritional information | For gluten-free options, compare fibre, sugars and salt per 100 g; also check the per-serving information if it’s given on the pack. | Once I’ve checked that a product is gluten-free, I want to see how the nutritional values of my options differ. This is the most important factor for around 30% of consumers after that check. |
| Pack size and availability | Compare the net weight and check whether the product is available where you shop. Jumbo lists its Lekker Vrij van Gluten Cornflakes in a 200 g pack and Consenza Pure & Free Glutenvrije Cornflakes in a 250 g pack. | If I buy cornflakes regularly, I want a pack size that suits how often I eat them. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this practical consideration once they’ve confirmed the product is suitable for a gluten-free diet. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming corn means gluten-free
Corn as an ingredient doesn’t tell you whether the cornflakes meet the requirements for a ‘gluten-free’ claim.
If you have coeliac disease, choose based on the current gluten-free claim or certification mark, not just the type of grain. This is in line with the advice from the Dutch Coeliac Society.
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Relying on a pack you bought before
Albert Heijn notes that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change.
Every time you shop, check the gluten-free claim and allergen information on the pack you’re actually buying.
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Using a fibre claim as the only basis for comparison
A fibre claim tells you about one feature; it doesn’t show how two gluten-free products differ in other ways.
Compare the rest of the nutritional information and the net weight too. Jumbo describes Consenza Pure & Free Glutenvrije Cornflakes as a source of fibre, but that claim shouldn’t decide your choice on its own.
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Overlooking gluten contact after opening
Even with a product labelled gluten-free, it’s important to prevent crumbs from gluten-containing breakfast foods getting into it at home.
Store the pack separately and use clean serving utensils if gluten-containing products are also on the table.
Brands compared
AH Glutenvrij
Albert Heijn has a product page for AH Glutenvrij Cornflakes. It’s an own-brand option to consider if you shop there.
- The product name includes ‘gluten-free’.
- Albert Heijn says product information can change, so check the packaging you’re buying.
Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten
Jumbo lists Lekker Vrij van Gluten Cornflakes in a 200 g pack as an own-brand option.
- The product name explicitly says ‘gluten-free’.
- Before comparing it with another product, check the current packaging for ingredients, allergens and nutritional values.
Consenza Pure & Free
Jumbo lists Consenza Pure & Free Glutenvrije Cornflakes in a 250 g pack and describes it as suitable for a gluten-free diet.
- Jumbo also describes this product as a ‘source of fibre’.
- Alongside that claim, compare the rest of the nutritional information and check the current packaging.
Joybuy products
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Are cornflakes automatically gluten-free if they’re made from corn?
No, having corn as the main ingredient isn’t enough. If you have coeliac disease, check the current packaging for the words ‘gluten-free’ or a gluten-free certification mark. The Dutch Coeliac Society warns that a product without such a claim may contain gluten.
Why should I check the label again on a product I know?
Because product information can change. Albert Heijn says this can include ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information, so check the pack you’re buying now.
How should I factor in a fibre claim when comparing gluten-free cornflakes?
Treat the fibre claim as one point of comparison, after checking the gluten-free claim. Jumbo describes Consenza Pure & Free Glutenvrije Cornflakes as a ‘source of fibre’; also read the full nutritional information and ingredients on the packaging.
How can I prevent gluten contact after opening?
Keep gluten-free cornflakes separate from breakfast products that contain gluten, and use clean serving utensils. Take particular care with crumbs and shared kitchen utensils when both types of product are being used.