If a guest has coeliac disease, choose a treat whose current packaging says ‘gluten-free’ or displays the Crossed Grain symbol, and keep it separate from ordinary biscuits when serving. The G'woon Kano's described here contain wheat flour, so they aren’t suitable as a gluten-free option. Looking for something soft, such as a filled biscuit or mini cake? Compare gluten-free ranges; a crunchy oat biscuit offers a different kind of treat and its packaging also needs checking.
Wants to offer a gluten-free treat and prevent it coming into contact with ordinary biscuits or crumbs while being unpacked or served. The Voedingscentrum describes a gluten-free diet as essential for people with coeliac disease.
Prefers a soft or filled biscuit, or a mini cake, to a crunchy biscuit. The style you want is only suitable if the current packaging meets the gluten-free requirement.
Wants to serve portions to share or arrange them in advance. For a shared treat, you also need to consider the allergens in the product and provide a separate serving area for the gluten-free portions.
If a guest has coeliac disease, start by checking the current gluten-free labelling and how the treat will be served. Then choose between a soft, Kano-style product, a crunchy biscuit or portions for a group.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free status and serving separately | Look for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol on the current packaging. Keep the treat away from ordinary biscuits and shared serving utensils. | If someone with coeliac disease is joining us, I want to know that the treat is gluten-free and stays that way on the table. An estimated 50% of consumers put this concern first. |
| Soft or filled texture | Compare a soft biscuit, filled biscuit or mini cake with a crunchy oat biscuit; also check the other allergens listed on the packaging you choose. | If I want a treat reminiscent of a Kano, I’d prefer a soft or filled option to a crunchy biscuit. An estimated 30% of consumers care most about the type of product. |
| Portions and availability | Check the number of portions and current availability before planning a treat for several guests. | When I’m putting out a treat for a group, I want to be able to arrange enough suitable portions in advance. Convenience and shareability come first for an estimated 20% of consumers. |
The G'woon Kano's described by Joybuy contain wheat flour in both the filling and the biscuit. So a similar-looking product isn’t necessarily gluten-free.
If you’re choosing for a guest with coeliac disease, rely on the current packaging, not the biscuit’s name or appearance.
Albert Heijn warns that product information can change. Verkade also describes Oaties as gluten-free, while the Joybuy allergen information consulted lists ‘gluten (oats)’.
Use an online description to find potential options, then check the packaging of the product you actually buy.
Several nuts are listed for the PLUS pastries mentioned here. A gluten-free label doesn’t tell you whether a product is suitable for someone with other allergies.
Ask which allergens are relevant to your guests and read the full information on the packaging of every product you choose.
Lidl’s range page stated that its additional gluten-free products were unavailable at the time. That means the range isn’t a reliable basis for a planned treat.
Check availability in good time and have a second option ready whose gluten-free labelling you can verify.
These brands and product ranges offer different types of biscuits and cakes to compare. Their inclusion here doesn’t mean that any particular pack is suitable for your guests.
Verkade describes its Oaties as crunchy, gluten-free oat biscuits. They aren’t a soft, filled alternative to a Kano.
Albert Heijn’s range includes gluten-free filled biscuits, double cookies and raw cakes.
Jumbo’s gluten-free range includes mini cakes and a gluten-free filled biscuit.
PLUS offers gluten-free biscuits and a range of small gluten-free vegan pastries if you’re looking for multiple portions.
Lidl is another shop to check for its current gluten-free range, rather than one to rely on without checking stock first.
No. The G'woon Kano's described by Joybuy contain wheat flour and list wheat as an allergen. Don’t assume the same applies to every other type of Kano: always check the current packaging of the product you want to serve.
It could, if your guests like a crunchy texture, but it isn’t a soft, filled biscuit. Verkade describes Oaties as gluten-free, while the Joybuy allergen information consulted lists ‘gluten (oats)’. If you’re choosing for someone with coeliac disease, check the current physical packaging first.
Keep the gluten-free treat separate if it could otherwise come into contact with biscuits containing gluten or with crumbs. Use clean serving utensils and make sure guests don’t use the same ones for both plates.
First choose products whose packaging you can check for gluten-free labelling, then look at the number of portions and any other allergens. Check availability before relying on a particular range.
