If you have coeliac disease, choose an ontbijtkoek whose exact packaging is labelled gluten-free. If you also want the Crossed Grain certification mark, check for the logo on that packaging. Jumbo lists the mark for its unsliced cake, Peijnenburg offers a cake you can cut into portions, and AH sells an individually wrapped ontbijtkoek bar. Check the allergen information too: the product details for all three list milk and lupin.
When you order online, you want to check the gluten-free label on the exact product. If you also want the Crossed Grain certification mark, check that it appears on the current packaging. The Dutch Coeliac Society recommends reading the label on each product individually.
As well as gluten, you may need to avoid milk, lactose or lupin. The product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo lists milk and lupin for the options discussed here; lactose is also listed for the AH bar. The allergen information for the exact variant will determine whether it’s suitable for you.
You can choose between an unsliced cake to portion at home and an individually wrapped bar. When ordering online, check the pack size and whether the variant you want can be delivered to your address.
First check the gluten-free label and any other allergens, then choose the pack format you’ll actually use.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who does this matter to? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free labelling and certification | Check the label on the current packaging. If you want the Crossed Grain certification mark, also check for the logo on the exact product. | If I have coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on a search result alone: the packaging needs to give me clear information. For around 50% of consumers, this confidence in the product matters most. |
| Other allergens | Check the allergen information again when reordering or accepting a suggested substitute. The options discussed list milk and lupin. | If I need to avoid milk or lupin as well as gluten, a gluten-free label alone can’t determine my choice. Around 30% of consumers prioritise these additional allergen checks. |
| Portions and online ordering | Compare an individually wrapped bar with an unsliced cake, and check the pack size and delivery availability for your address. | At home, I want a cake I can cut into portions; when I’m out and about, an individually wrapped bar may suit my plans better. For around 20% of consumers, how they’ll use the product makes the difference. |
According to their product information, Peijnenburg, AH Glutenvrij and Jumbo Lekker Vrij list milk and lupin. A gluten-free label doesn’t mean these allergens are absent.
Check the allergen information for the exact variant every time you order, even if a retailer suggests a substitute.
A certification mark on one ontbijtkoek doesn’t tell you anything about another variant from the same brand. The Dutch Coeliac Society recommends checking the label of each product.
Check the current packaging of the variant you’re ordering for the gluten-free label and, if you’re looking for it, the Crossed Grain logo.
Online availability can vary by retailer and delivery address. So a product you’ve ordered before won’t necessarily be available to add to your basket next time.
Before completing your order, check the exact variant, delivery availability for your address and any settings for substitute products.
Jumbo lists a 300 g unsliced gluten-free ontbijtkoek in this range.
Albert Heijn and PLUS list a 285 g unsliced gluten-free Peijnenburg ontbijtkoek.
Albert Heijn lists a 65 g individually wrapped gluten-free ontbijtkoek bar in this range.
The gluten-free label on the exact product is the starting point for your choice. According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, ‘gluten-free’ means less than 20 mg of gluten per kg of product. If you also want the Crossed Grain certification mark, check that it appears on the current packaging of that variant.
No: the product information for the Peijnenburg cake, Jumbo cake and AH bar discussed here lists milk and lupin. The AH bar also lists lactose. If you have an allergy, always check the allergen information on the packaging you receive.
No, the gluten-free label doesn’t tell you the iodine content. Don’t try to estimate it from the product category or a mention of baker’s salt either. If it matters to your choice, ask the manufacturer about the ingredients of the exact cake.
Follow the storage and use-by information on the packaging of your cake. For the Peijnenburg variant, Albert Heijn recommends storing it in a cool, dark, dry place, preferably in a sealed tin or container; the Jumbo variant should be stored in a cool, dry place.
