Who is this relevant to?

Parents of a child with coeliac disease

They’re looking for porridge oats with a clear gluten-free label and take care to prevent the snack coming into contact with gluten during preparation and transport.

Carers who want to pack a portion

They want to measure and pack the oats easily, and check which drinks, additions and preparation options are suitable at school or in childcare.

Families who put together their own oat-based snacks

They prefer a simple base so they can choose what to add, taking into account what their child eats and is allowed to eat.

What should you look for?

When your child has coeliac disease, the gluten-free label on the packaging comes before choosing a convenient portion or a particular flavour. Then consider how and where the snack will be prepared.

What to consider What to check when buying Who should pay particular attention?
Gluten-free option Check the current packaging for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain mark, and read the ingredient and allergen information. If my child has coeliac disease, I don’t want to confuse ordinary oats with porridge oats specifically labelled gluten-free. This is the top priority for around 50% of consumers.
Packing and preparation Check the portion packaging and preparation instructions; also ask what’s possible at school or in childcare. For a snack away from home, I want to pack a portion that can be prepared there as agreed. Around 30% of consumers give this practical convenience top priority.
Ingredients and flavour Compare plain flakes with mixes, check the ingredients and make sure any additions are suitable for the child. I want to choose what goes into the porridge myself, or check whether my child likes the seeds and texture of a mix. This is the most important factor for around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ordinary oats are always gluten-free

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oat products can become contaminated with gluten. Even a product whose only ingredient is oat flakes may carry a warning about wheat or rye.

    If your child has coeliac disease, choose porridge oats labelled ‘gluten-free’ or carrying the Crossed Grain mark on the current packaging, rather than relying on the word ‘oats’ alone.

  • Checking only the dry porridge oats

    A product labelled gluten-free won’t automatically stay free from gluten if it’s prepared with other ingredients, crumbs or shared kitchen utensils.

    Check the drink and toppings, and use a clean bowl, spoon and storage container before packing the portion.

  • Mistaking an oat bar for a simple porridge oat base

    An oat bar or biscuit has a different composition from loose oat flakes. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that oat biscuits and bars often contain a lot of sugar, saturated fat and calories.

    Compare the ingredients and nutritional information for the specific product if you’re choosing or putting together a snack. If your child has coeliac disease, check separately for a gluten-free label.

Brands and product ranges to consider

The features listed apply to the specific products below, not necessarily to every product from that brand. Always check the current packaging when buying.

AH Glutenvrij

Albert Heijn describes its 450 g gluten-free wholegrain porridge oats as a base made from oat flakes.

  • According to the product information, this variety consists of gluten-free wholegrain oat flakes and is made in a completely gluten-free environment.
  • If you prepare it yourself, you’ll need to check the added ingredients and kitchen utensils separately.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten

The 450 g porridge oat variety in this Jumbo range is labelled as containing gluten-free oats.

  • The product listing displays the Crossed Grain mark.
  • Check whether this variety is available when buying, and read the packaging.

Elovena

The plain gluten-free instant porridge oats come in five 40 g portion sachets.

  • The ingredients list includes gluten-free wholegrain flakes and salt; the sachets make it easy to measure a portion.
  • The portion packaging doesn’t tell you whether the drink or toppings you add are suitable.

Zonnatura

The 350 g gluten-free multiseed porridge oats combine oat flakes with other ingredients.

  • Jumbo states that this variety contains 95% gluten-free wholegrain oat flakes, as well as linseed, chia seeds and quinoa.
  • Check that the extra ingredients and texture are suitable for your child, and whether the product is available.

Brinta

Standard Brinta Porridge Oats are an example of an oat product that you shouldn’t assume is gluten-free based on its name.

  • The ingredients list for this specific variety says it contains 100% oat flakes.
  • The same product information warns that it may contain traces of wheat and rye. Don’t treat this standard variety as confirmed gluten-free porridge oats for a child with coeliac disease.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are oats naturally gluten-free?

Oats don’t naturally contain gluten, but oat products can become contaminated with gluten, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. If your child has coeliac disease, choose porridge oats labelled ‘gluten-free’ or carrying the Crossed Grain mark.

What does ‘gluten-free’ mean on porridge oats?

Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, a food labelled ‘gluten-free’ may contain no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten in the form in which it is sold to consumers. Oats in such a product must also be specially produced, prepared and/or processed to avoid contamination with wheat, rye, barley or their cross-bred varieties.

Can I pack standard Brinta Porridge Oats for a child with coeliac disease?

Don’t treat standard Brinta Porridge Oats as a confirmed gluten-free option for a child with coeliac disease. The product information lists 100% oat flakes, but also warns that it may contain traces of wheat and rye. Choose a product with an explicit gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain mark.

Do I need to check the toppings and how it’s prepared too?

Yes. Check the ingredients you add to the porridge and prevent contact with crumbs or shared kitchen utensils. Before packing it, also ask the school or childcare setting which snacks, ingredients and preparation methods are allowed.