If you’re hosting someone with coeliac disease, choose a packaged Dutch spiced cake that is explicitly labelled ‘gluten-free’, and check the other allergens on the current packaging too. An unsliced cake is practical if several guests will be sharing it; for one guest, it may be easier to keep a separate bar apart. Either way, use clean serving utensils and prevent contact with crumbs from ordinary bread or cake.
An explicit gluten-free label is important, but so is the way you serve it. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that even a stray bread crumb can cause symptoms for someone with coeliac disease. So check the packaging and keep the Dutch spiced cake separate from ordinary cake and bread.
Compare the stated number of servings and think about how you’ll slice an unsliced cake separately and serve it covered. A clean knife and plate of its own will prevent guests from using the same utensils for ordinary and gluten-free products.
Gluten-free does not mean a product is also free from milk or lupin. These allergens are listed for the Peijnenburg, Jumbo Lekker Vrij and AH Glutenvrij products discussed here. Check the latest ingredients and allergen information for each guest.
First check that the Dutch spiced cake and the way you plan to serve it are suitable for your guest with coeliac disease. Then choose between a cake to share and an individual portion, while taking any other allergens into account.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten and crumb contact | Look for ‘gluten-free’ on the current packaging. Also provide a separate clean plate and knife, or a serving tong of its own. | If a guest has coeliac disease, I don’t want a suitable cake to come into contact with bread crumbs while it’s being served. For around 50% of consumers, this combination of product choice and separate serving is the top priority. |
| Portions and serving style | Compare the stated number of servings and choose between an unsliced cake and an individual bar. Albert Heijn lists 9 servings for the Peijnenburg cake, and Jumbo lists 12 for its Lekker Vrij cake. | When several guests are sharing, I want to know whether the Dutch spiced cake will provide enough portions. For around 30% of consumers, the serving style is the top priority. |
| Other allergens | Read the ingredients list and check both the ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements. If necessary, also check the nutritional information per 100 g or per serving. | If guests need to avoid ingredients other than gluten, I need to know before buying whether the same cake is suitable for them. Around 20% of consumers put this additional check first. |
A statement about sugar tells you nothing about gluten. Ordinary Dutch spiced cake may contain gluten-containing grains.
Check the physical packaging for the ‘gluten-free’ label and read the ingredients list. Don’t rely on the product name or where it sits on the shelf.
The gluten-free products discussed from Peijnenburg, Jumbo Lekker Vrij and AH Glutenvrij also list milk and lupin. So gluten-free Dutch spiced cake is not automatically suitable for every guest.
Ask which allergens are relevant and check the current packaging, including any warnings about the possible presence of other allergens.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that even a stray bread crumb can be a concern for someone with coeliac disease. The packaging alone won’t prevent contact while serving.
Slice and serve the gluten-free Dutch spiced cake using clean, separate utensils, cover it and keep it away from ordinary bread and cake.
Don’t assume that Dutch spiced cake contains iodine from baker’s salt just because of its product category. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that using baker’s salt is not even compulsory in bread.
If the presence of baker’s salt matters to your choice, check the information on the packaging of the product you’ve chosen.
The 285 g unsliced gluten-free Dutch spiced cake is an option for sharing. Albert Heijn lists 9 servings.
Jumbo describes its 300 g unsliced gluten-free Dutch spiced cake as having 12 servings and displays the Crossed Grain quality mark.
According to Albert Heijn, the 65 g Dutch spiced cake bar is one serving, so you can set one aside for an individual guest.
Jumbo has described a 300 g gluten-free Damhert breakfast gingerbread, but says that this product is no longer in its online range.
For a food sold to consumers, the EU ‘gluten-free’ label is permitted under Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014 only if the gluten content is no more than 20 mg/kg; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority refers to these rules. Check the current packaging of the Dutch spiced cake you choose rather than relying on a general label such as ‘zero’.
Only if you prevent contact with crumbs and shared serving utensils. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that even a stray bread crumb can cause symptoms for someone with coeliac disease. Keep the gluten-free cake separate and give it a clean knife, plate or serving tong of its own.
No. The product information for Peijnenburg Gluten-free Unsliced, Jumbo Lekker Vrij Gluten-free Unsliced Dutch Spiced Cake and AH Glutenvrij Dutch Spiced Cake Bar lists milk and lupin. For information about other allergens, including possible presence warnings, always check the current packaging.
No, don’t assume that it does. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that using baker’s salt in bread is not compulsory, so the Dutch spiced cake category does not guarantee a specific ingredient. Check the packaging if this matters to your choice.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging of the cake you’ve chosen. Peijnenburg recommends keeping its cake in a cool, dark place, preferably in a sealed container or tin; Jumbo recommends storing its product in a cool, dry place. Cover an opened gluten-free cake and keep it separate from products containing gluten.
