Who is this choice relevant to?

Parents of a toddler with coeliac disease

You want the packaging to confirm that the porridge oats are gluten-free, and you check the ingredients and allergen information again with every purchase.

Parents looking for a simple breakfast porridge

You want a wholegrain base and to decide for yourself which ingredients are added. For children aged 1 to 3, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends wholegrain breakfast cereals with no added sugar or salt.

Families short on time in the morning

You want porridge to fit into your morning routine, but even with quick-cook oats, you check that the specific product meets your child’s gluten-free needs.

What should you look for when choosing?

If coeliac disease is a factor, first check the gluten-free wording on the packaging. Then compare the ingredients and preparation instructions.

What to look for What to check when buying Who it matters to
Gluten-free status Check the current ‘gluten-free’ wording and allergen information on the packaging. A gluten-free certification mark can make the product easier to identify. If my toddler has coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on the word ‘oats’ alone. For around 50% of consumers, confirmed gluten-free status comes first.
Simple ingredients Compare the ingredients and nutritional information. Check whether wholegrain oats are the main ingredient and what sugars or salt have been added. I want to know what’s already in the product so I can make the porridge my own. For around 30% of consumers, a simple base is the main priority.
Preparation Check the preparation instructions and serving size. If you buy individual portions, check the gluten-free wording on each product too. On a busy morning, I need to be able to prepare the porridge in a way that works at home. Around 20% of consumers prioritise convenience.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming all oats are gluten-free

    Regular oats can come into contact with wheat, rye or barley during processing. The Dutch Coeliac Society therefore distinguishes between regular oats and pure, uncontaminated gluten-free oats.

    If you have coeliac disease, choose based on the gluten-free wording on the specific product, and check the packaging again next time you buy it.

  • Confusing no added sugar with gluten-free

    The ingredients and gluten-free status answer different questions. Quaker states that Oats Express Naturel may contain barley and wheat (gluten).

    If you have coeliac disease, check the gluten-free wording and allergen information first, then compare the other ingredients.

  • Seeing porridge as a complete replacement for bread

    The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends porridge oats as an alternative to bread at breakfast for children aged 1 to 3. If porridge replaces bread at breakfast, it advises offering two slices of bread at another time of day.

    Consider breakfast as part of your child’s overall diet for the day. If your child has coeliac disease, check that any bread is gluten-free too.

Brands to consider

AH Glutenvrij

Albert Heijn describes its 450 g Glutenvrij Volkoren havermout as a product made with gluten-free wholegrain oat flakes.

  • Albert Heijn says this product is made in a fully gluten-free environment.
  • Albert Heijn warns that product and allergen information may change, so always follow the information on the physical packaging.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten

Jumbo describes its 450 g Lekker Vrij van Gluten Havermout as porridge oats made with gluten-free oat flakes.

  • Jumbo stated that this variety carried the Crossed Grain certification mark.
  • Before buying, check the current packaging and availability of the specific variety.

Quaker

Quaker offers, among other products, the quick-cook variety Oats Express Naturel.

  • An individual portion can be handy if you don’t want to measure out the oats yourself.
  • Quaker states that Oats Express Naturel may contain soya, barley and wheat (gluten). This variety therefore cannot be confirmed as a gluten-free choice for someone with coeliac disease.

Golden Bridge

ALDI describes Golden Bridge fine wholegrain porridge oats as a 500 g pack.

  • The fine flakes offer a different texture from coarser oat flakes.
  • If you have coeliac disease, only consider this variety gluten-free if the current packaging says ‘gluten-free’.

Related products at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are regular porridge oats automatically gluten-free?

No. If you have coeliac disease, check the gluten-free wording on the specific product. Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, ‘gluten-free’ may only be used if the final product contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten. Oats carrying this claim must also be produced, prepared or processed in a way that prevents contamination with wheat, rye and barley.

Can a toddler with coeliac disease eat gluten-free oats?

According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, most people with coeliac disease can tolerate pure, uncontaminated gluten-free oats, but individual tolerance can vary. If you have concerns or your child develops symptoms, speak to their healthcare professional or a dietitian specialising in coeliac disease.

Can porridge replace bread at breakfast?

For children aged 1 to 3, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends porridge oats as an alternative to bread at breakfast. If porridge replaces bread at breakfast, it advises offering two slices of bread at another time of day. If your child has coeliac disease, that bread must also be gluten-free.

Can I send gluten-free porridge oats to nursery or school with my child?

Discuss this with the setting in advance, so you know how they store and prepare food and prevent cross-contamination. In its guidance for childcare and schools, the Dutch Coeliac Society advises parents to agree in advance on meals arranged by the setting for a child with coeliac disease.

Why should I read the label when buying the product again?

Because a product’s ingredients and allergen information can change. Albert Heijn therefore advises customers to check the packaging of its gluten-free porridge oats, even if they have bought a product with the same name before.