When someone with coeliac disease is joining you for Easter, start by checking the current packaging: look for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol, and serve the biscuits separately from regular ones. Then check the other allergens and the type of biscuit. A gluten-free oat biscuit with milk chocolate is only suitable if your guest can also tolerate oats and the other ingredients.
You’re looking for chocolate biscuits for Easter and want to check both the packaging and how you serve them. The Voedingscentrum explains how to identify gluten-free products, while the Dutch Coeliac Society also highlights the need to prevent cross-contamination.
As well as gluten, lactose or specific allergens may also need to be considered. Product information from Jumbo shows why you should check each of these details separately on the packaging.
You’re looking for a gluten-free biscuit to serve with coffee or brunch, and want to choose between a biscuit coated in chocolate and a cookie with chocolate chips. The packaging and how you serve them still matter whichever you choose.
First, check that the biscuit is suitable for your guest with coeliac disease and that you can serve it without crumbs from regular biscuits. Only then compare other dietary requirements and the type of biscuit.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free and served separately | Look for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol on the current packaging. Use a separate plate and clean serving utensils. | If someone with coeliac disease is joining us, I want to check what I’m serving and prevent crumbs from regular biscuits getting onto it. This check is the top priority for around 50% of consumers. |
| Other allergens and lactose | Compare the ingredients, allergens and warnings on the packaging with all your guest’s dietary requirements. A lactose-free label doesn’t rule out other allergens. | If a guest needs to avoid something in addition to gluten, I don’t want to rely on just one dietary claim. This additional check is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Type of biscuit and how it’s served | Once you’ve confirmed the packaging is suitable, compare a biscuit coated in chocolate with a cookie containing chocolate chips. Also check the packaging if you want to put the biscuits out separately. | For coffee or brunch, I want to offer a familiar chocolate biscuit while remembering to keep it on a separate plate. Around 30% of consumers pay most attention to this part of the biscuit selection. |
A familiar name is no substitute for checking the packaging. The Voedingscentrum identifies the ‘gluten-free’ label and the Crossed Grain symbol as signs to look for.
Check the current packaging every time you buy, even if you’ve bought the same biscuit before.
The Dutch Coeliac Society warns that crumbs and shared kitchen utensils can transfer gluten to gluten-free food.
Clean the work surface, and use a separate plate and clean serving utensils for the gluten-free biscuits.
The gluten-free biscuits described here vary in their ingredients and allergens. For example, a biscuit labelled lactose-free may still contain soya.
Check all relevant ingredients and warnings on the packaging against your guest’s dietary requirements.
The Dutch Coeliac Society says that most people with coeliac disease can tolerate pure gluten-free oats, but not everyone can.
Ask your guest in advance whether they can tolerate gluten-free oats. If not, only choose another biscuit once you’ve checked its packaging too.
These examples highlight differences between specific biscuits, not between every product from a brand. Always check the current packaging before you buy.
Glutenvrije Oaties Melkchocolade is an example of an oat biscuit topped with milk chocolate.
The chocolate biscuits described are intended for anyone looking for a lactose-free option as well as a gluten-free one.
Digestives Melkchocolade is a milk chocolate-coated biscuit from the Lekker Vrij range.
The Chocolate chip cookies offer a different style of biscuit, with milk chocolate chips and hazelnuts.
Check the current packaging for the ‘gluten-free’ label or the Crossed Grain symbol. Then read the ingredients and allergen information, and think about how you’ll serve the biscuits separately from regular ones.
Use a separate plate, clean hands and clean serving utensils for the gluten-free biscuits. The Dutch Coeliac Society warns that crumbs from regular biscuits can also cause cross-contamination.
No. The ‘gluten-free’ label doesn’t tell you whether a product contains lactose or nuts. Some of the biscuits described contain milk or hazelnuts. For a Céréal product described as lactose-free, Jumbo also lists soya and warnings about the possible presence of other allergens.
Not always. The Dutch Coeliac Society says that most people with coeliac disease can tolerate pure gluten-free oats, but a small number can’t. Ask your guest in advance whether oats are suitable for them, and check the biscuit’s other ingredients too.
