Who are these porridge oats for?

People shopping for someone with coeliac disease

You’re looking for porridge oats explicitly labelled gluten-free, not just ordinary oats. Check the packaging currently in store; the Crossed Grain symbol can help you identify a gluten-free product.

Households that need to check more ingredients

As well as checking for a gluten-free claim, you’ll want to know whether the oats and any added ingredients are suitable for the person you’re buying for. So read the full ingredients list and allergen information, especially for a mix containing seeds or other ingredients.

Breakfast lovers who want to take a portion with them

You’re looking for gluten-free porridge oats that come in individual portions and are easy to make with water or milk. Check the ingredients in your drink and any toppings you add, too.

What should you look for when buying?

If you have coeliac disease, first check that the exact product is labelled gluten-free. Then compare the ingredients, portion sizes and preparation instructions.

What to consider What to check Who it matters most to
Gluten and contamination Look for an explicit gluten-free claim on the porridge oats. You can also check for the Crossed Grain symbol. When I’m buying for someone with coeliac disease, I don’t want to mistake ordinary oats for a product explicitly labelled gluten-free. Around 42% of consumers put that reassurance first.
Oats and other ingredients Read the current ingredients list and allergen information; if you’re buying a mix, check all the added ingredients too. If someone has several sensitivities, I want to know what else is in the pack besides gluten. For around 25% of consumers, checking the ingredients is their main concern when buying.
Preparation and portability Compare the number of sachets, the amount per portion and the preparation instructions. When I have breakfast away from home, I want to be able to take a measured portion with me and prepare it easily. Convenience comes first for around 17% of consumers.
A base you can customise Compare loose oats with prepared mixes and check the nutritional information per 100 g on the label. I’d rather add my own ingredients to my porridge than choose a ready-made mix. Around 16% of consumers say that freedom is their top priority.

Common mistakes when choosing

  • Assuming ordinary oats are gluten-free

    Oats can come into contact with wheat, rye or barley during production and processing. So ordinary porridge oats aren’t automatically suitable for someone with coeliac disease.

    Check that the packaging of the product you’re buying explicitly states that it is gluten-free, rather than relying on the type of grain alone.

  • Assuming gluten-free means free from all ingredients of concern

    Gluten-free porridge oats still contain oats. If you’re buying for someone with a specific food allergy, a variety containing seeds or other additions needs extra scrutiny.

    Read the current label on the porridge oats and check the ingredients in any milk, plant-based drink or toppings you use, too.

  • Relying on ‘wholegrain’ or a familiar product name

    Neither tells you whether a product is labelled gluten-free. For example, according to Quaker Netherlands, Quaker Havermout Original may contain barley and wheat.

    Check the packaging of each variety individually; don’t treat a standard variety as an alternative to porridge oats explicitly labelled gluten-free.

Brands to consider

AH Glutenvrij

Albert Heijn describes its 450 g Glutenvrij Volkoren havermout as loose oats for anyone who wants to put together their own breakfast.

  • The product information describes the oats as gluten-free wholegrain oats, produced in a completely gluten-free environment.
  • When buying, check the current label and whether oats themselves are suitable for the person you’re buying for.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten

The 450 g porridge oats in this Jumbo range may suit anyone specifically looking for a Crossed Grain symbol.

  • The product page describes them as gluten-free oats and displays the Crossed Grain symbol.
  • Jumbo says this item is no longer in its online range. If you do find it for sale, always check the packaging.

Elovena

Elovena Natural instant oatmeal is a gluten-free porridge oat product with five individual 40 g portions.

  • According to the product information, a portion can be made with hot water or milk.
  • The variety described also contains salt. Check the current ingredients and anything you add to your portion.

Zonnatura

Zonnatura Havermout Glutenvrij Meerzaden combines gluten-free oats with linseed, chia seeds and quinoa.

  • The ingredients on the Jumbo product page make it clear which extra ingredients this multi-seed variety contains.
  • Check that all the ingredients are suitable for the person you’re buying for. Jumbo says this item is no longer in its online range.

Quaker

Quaker Havermout Original is a standard porridge oat product, so don’t mistake it for a gluten-free variety if you need to avoid gluten strictly.

  • Quaker Netherlands lists wholegrain porridge oats as an ingredient in this specific variety.
  • The manufacturer also states that the product may contain barley and wheat. If you have coeliac disease, choose a product explicitly labelled gluten-free.

Joybuy products on this topic

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are ordinary porridge oats suitable for someone with coeliac disease?

Not automatically: ordinary porridge oats aren’t necessarily labelled gluten-free. If you have coeliac disease, check the packaging of the exact product and choose porridge oats explicitly labelled gluten-free.

What does gluten-free mean for oats under EU rules?

Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, oats in a food labelled gluten-free must have been specially produced, prepared and/or processed to avoid contamination with wheat, rye, barley or their crossbreeds. The gluten content of those oats must not exceed 20 mg/kg.

Do I need to check other ingredients in gluten-free porridge oats?

Yes. A gluten-free claim doesn’t mean that oats or added ingredients are suitable for everyone. Read the current ingredients list and allergen information, especially for a multi-seed mix or if you’re adding milk, a plant-based drink or toppings.

Can I switch to a gluten-free diet straight away if I have symptoms after eating grains?

Talk to your GP about these symptoms before cutting gluten out of your diet. The Dutch Coeliac Society recommends finding out what’s causing the problem first.