Who is this choice relevant to?

People with coeliac disease

You want to check the gluten-free claim and allergen information on the flakes you actually buy. When storing and serving them, you want to avoid contact with products containing gluten.

Anyone who wants to sprinkle flakes more neatly

You want to scatter dry chocolate flakes neatly over bread or yoghurt. So you need packaging for dry contents, not a squeeze bottle designed for liquid sauces.

Oat flake shoppers

You’re looking for oat flakes for breakfast and need to distinguish ordinary oat products from packs with a suitable gluten-free claim. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the Crossed Grain symbol is important for people with coeliac disease who eat oat products.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, choose a flake product whose gluten-free claim and ingredients you can check on the current packaging. Then decide whether the packaging is easy to sprinkle from, or whether a separate container for dry food would suit the way you use it better.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Gluten-free claim Check the current packaging for a ‘gluten-free’ claim or the Crossed Grain symbol, as well as the ingredients and allergen information. Keep any shaker separate for gluten-free contents. I want to check the flakes before serving them, even if there are products containing gluten at home. For around 46% of consumers, that reassurance comes first.
Shaker Check that the manufacturer says a wide, sealable container is suitable for dry food; don’t assume a sauce squeeze bottle’s nozzle will work. At breakfast, I want to sprinkle flakes neatly over bread or yoghurt without using a sauce bottle. For around 36% of consumers, easy, tidy portioning is the main concern.
Product type and size Decide whether you’re looking for chocolate flakes or oat flakes, then compare the net weight, use-by or best-before date and storage instructions of suitable options. I want to choose a pack that suits how I’ll use it and the dry storage space I have available. For around 18% of consumers, this is the main consideration.

Common mistakes

  • Choosing a sauce squeeze bottle to dispense flakes

    IKEA Netherlands describes the GRILLTIDER squeeze bottle as suitable for sauces, dressings and other condiments. That doesn’t mean its nozzle is suitable for dry chocolate flakes or oat flakes.

    If you want to transfer your flakes, check that the manufacturer specifically says the sealable container is suitable for dry food.

  • Assuming a brand or shelf category proves a product is gluten-free

    A flake range may include different product types and varieties. Where a product appears in an online category doesn’t tell you whether the pack you buy is suitable.

    Every time you buy, check the current packaging for a gluten-free claim, ingredients and allergen information.

  • Assuming ordinary oat flakes are the same as gluten-free oat flakes

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oat products may come into contact with gluten during processing. So an ordinary pack of oat flakes isn’t automatically suitable for someone with coeliac disease.

    For oat flakes, check the pack for the Crossed Grain symbol, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises for oat products when you have coeliac disease.

  • Losing the product information when transferring the flakes

    Once flakes are in an unlabelled shaker, you can no longer easily check the original ingredients, allergens or best-before date.

    Keep the original packaging until the container is empty, or clearly copy across the product name, relevant label details and best-before date.

Brands and ranges to help you choose

A brand name can help you find a product, but it doesn’t tell you by itself whether a particular variety is gluten-free. Always check the current packaging.

De Ruijter

De Ruijter makes chocolate flakes for bread and sprinkling. Albert Heijn lists a 200 g pack of dark chocolate flakes.

  • The product information lists ingredients and allergens, and says to store the product in a dry place.
  • The product page doesn’t give this variety a gluten-free claim. If you have coeliac disease, check the packaging before use.

Albert Heijn

The range includes chocolate flakes and a separate AH Gluten-Free product with 450 g of wholegrain oat flakes.

  • The separate product lines make it easier to search specifically for chocolate flakes or gluten-free oat flakes.
  • A gluten-free claim on oat flakes doesn’t automatically apply to chocolate flakes in the same range.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists chocolate flakes and a separate 450 g pack of Lekker Vrij van Gluten porridge oats.

  • The product information for the porridge oats describes them as gluten-free and mentions the Crossed Grain symbol.
  • That claim doesn’t apply to every Jumbo flake product. When buying, check both the packaging and whether the variety you want is currently available.

Venz

Venz chocolate flakes, including Krokovlokken and Tijgervlokken, are found in Dutch supermarket ranges.

  • These varieties give you a starting point if you’re specifically looking for chocolate flakes.
  • Check each variety’s current packaging separately for a gluten-free claim, ingredients and allergen information.

Choca

Choca flakes and flake mixes are found in Dutch supermarket ranges.

  • You can search specifically for the type of dry flakes you want.
  • The brand name or category listing doesn’t confirm that a particular variety is gluten-free; check the packaging.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can I put chocolate flakes in a standard squeeze bottle?

A standard sauce squeeze bottle isn’t a proven choice for dry chocolate flakes. IKEA Netherlands describes the GRILLTIDER squeeze bottle as suitable for sauces and dressings. If you want to transfer your flakes, choose a sealable container that the manufacturer says is suitable for dry food.

Are chocolate flakes automatically gluten-free?

No. Don’t assume they are based on the product category or brand. For the variety you buy, check the current packaging for a ‘gluten-free’ claim or the Crossed Grain symbol, and read the ingredients and allergen information. For example, the product information for De Ruijter Dark Chocolate Flakes lists ingredients and allergens, but doesn’t make a gluten-free claim.

Are ordinary oat flakes suitable for someone with coeliac disease?

Ordinary oat flakes aren’t automatically suitable for someone with coeliac disease. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that oat products can be contaminated with gluten during processing, and advises people with coeliac disease to look for the official Crossed Grain symbol on oat product packaging.

What should I look for when transferring gluten-free flakes?

Use a clean, separate container for gluten-free contents and avoid contact with products containing gluten while filling and serving it. Keep the original packaging or copy across the product information, so the claims, allergens and best-before date remain easy to check.