If you have coeliac disease, choose a Dutch breakfast cake that is explicitly labelled gluten-free, and check the current allergen information and warnings. ‘Zero’ says nothing about gluten. An individually wrapped bar means there’s no need to cut anything during a short break, while you can divide an uncut cake into portions in advance for several shifts. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion you eat.
You’re looking for a Dutch breakfast cake that is explicitly labelled gluten-free, and want to check the warnings on the packaging before taking a snack to a workplace where food containing gluten is also present.
You want to take one sealed portion with you, without having to cut a cake during your shift or store an opened pack.
You want to divide a larger cake over several shifts, so you’re considering portion size, allergens and how to store the sliced cake.
First, check that the specific Dutch breakfast cake is labelled gluten-free. Then choose a pack and portion size that suit your breaks and how much preparation you want to do.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free labelling and warnings | Look for an explicit gluten-free label and check the current packaging for warnings about possible cross-contamination. | If I have coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on the word ‘zero’ when choosing a snack for my shift; around 42% of consumers prioritise gluten-free labelling. |
| A portion for your break | Compare the weight per portion and check whether it’s an individually wrapped bar or an uncut cake. | For a short break, I want to be able to grab one sealed portion without having to cut it first; around 25% of consumers prioritise this convenience. |
| Nutritional information and other allergens | Compare sugars per 100 g and per portion you eat. Also check the allergen list if milk or lupin is relevant to you. | When I prepare portions for several shifts, I want to know how much sugar each portion contains and which allergens are listed on the label; this check is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
‘Zero’ or ‘no added sugars’ doesn’t tell you whether a Dutch breakfast cake is gluten-free. For someone with coeliac disease, this kind of label is no substitute for a gluten-free label on the product.
Check the packaging of the specific cake for ‘gluten-free’ and read any warnings about cereals containing gluten.
Gluten-free doesn’t mean free from other allergens. Albert Heijn lists milk and lupin for the Peijnenburg cake and AH bar included in this review. Jumbo Supermarkten lists these allergens, along with additional ‘may contain’ warnings, for the Jumbo cake included in the review.
Check the allergen information on the current packaging, especially if you need to avoid ingredients other than gluten.
The larger cakes included in this review are uncut. That matters if you want to grab a single portion straight away during a short break on a night shift.
If you choose a larger cake, cut it into portions in advance and follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
You may need a resealable container or portion-sized packaging to take it with you individually.
The Peijnenburg gluten-free Dutch breakfast cake included in this review is an uncut 285 g cake that you slice into portions yourself.
The AH Glutenvrij Ontbijtkoekreep included in this review is an individually wrapped 65 g bar, ready to eat without slicing.
The Jumbo Lekker Vrij variety included in this review is a gluten-free, uncut 300 g Dutch breakfast cake that you divide into portions yourself.
According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, the term ‘gluten-free’ is used for products containing less than 20 mg of gluten per kg. If you have coeliac disease, check that the current packaging of the specific Dutch breakfast cake carries this label; ‘zero’ is not an alternative.
Take that warning seriously if you have coeliac disease. The Dutch Coeliac Society explains that ‘may contain cereals containing gluten’ indicates a possible risk of cross-contamination, so check the current warnings on the product you want to take with you.
No. You can choose an individually wrapped bar or prepare portions of an uncut cake at home. If you choose a larger cake, check the packaging for how to store it after opening.
No. The conditions for iodine compounds in bakery products described by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority don’t require every Dutch breakfast cake to contain iodised baker’s salt. If the type of salt used matters to you, check the ingredients of the cake you choose.
