Who is this choice important for?

Cooking for a guest with coeliac disease

You want to serve a Christmas dish without mistaking ordinary oats for gluten-free ones. Start by checking that the current packaging explicitly says ‘gluten-free’, then check the rest of the recipe.

Home cook with an oat-based recipe

For biscuits, crumble or a warm dessert, it matters whether you choose plain porridge oats, a multiseed variety or individually wrapped instant portions.

Buying individual portions

If you’d like to offer breakfast or a late-night snack alongside Christmas dinner, a gluten-free instant variety in individual portions can save you measuring them out. Be sure to check the full packaging and any added ingredients.

What should you look for when choosing?

For a guest with coeliac disease, an explicit gluten-free statement is essential, whether you’re mainly considering recipe texture, other ingredients or convenience. The European Commission’s Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014 sets specific requirements for oats in foods labelled ‘gluten-free’, including protection from contamination and a maximum gluten content of 20 mg/kg.

What to look for What to check when buying Who might prioritise this?
Gluten-free statement Check the exact, current packaging to see whether the porridge oats are explicitly labelled gluten-free. Don’t assume this from the ingredient ‘oats’ alone. When I’m cooking for a guest with coeliac disease, I don’t want to mistake ordinary oats for gluten-free ones; around 36% of consumers prioritise this reassurance.
Texture in the recipe Choose between plain gluten-free porridge oats and a gluten-free variety with seeds and quinoa, depending on the dish. For a crumble or dessert, I want the porridge oats to suit the texture I’m after; around 29% of consumers prioritise recipe texture.
Other ingredients Read the current ingredients and allergen information for the porridge oats, as well as for any drinks, chocolate and toppings you use. If a guest also needs to avoid other ingredients, I want to adapt the whole dish; around 21% of consumers give this the highest priority.
Preparation and portions Check whether the pack contains individual portions and whether the product format suits the number of dishes you’re making. For a Christmas breakfast prepared separately, I want to be able to choose a practical portion; around 14% of consumers prioritise ease of preparation.

Common mistakes when choosing

  • Treating ordinary oats as gluten-free oats

    The name ‘porridge oats’ doesn’t confirm that the oats meet the European Commission’s requirements for the ‘gluten-free’ statement.

    For a guest with coeliac disease, only use a product whose current packaging explicitly says ‘gluten-free’.

  • Choosing a familiar standard variety as a substitute

    Albert Heijn states that Brinta Havermout may contain traces of wheat and rye. Quaker Nederland states that Quaker Oats Express Naturel may contain soya, barley and wheat.

    Don’t substitute either of these standard varieties for explicitly gluten-free porridge oats when cooking for a guest with coeliac disease.

  • Checking only the porridge oats

    A gluten-free statement on the porridge oats tells you nothing about the other ingredients in the dish or any other dietary restrictions your guest may have.

    If necessary, ask your guest in advance what they can eat, and read the current labels on drinks, chocolate, nuts, seeds and toppings, too.

Brands and product ranges to consider

The varieties mentioned mainly differ in their ingredients and packaging. Always check the exact variety you’re buying, not just the brand name.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists AH Glutenvrij Volkoren havermout as a gluten-free porridge oats variety.

  • A plain variety to use in your own recipe.
  • Albert Heijn warns that ingredients, nutritional and allergy information may change, so check the current packaging.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten

Jumbo lists porridge oats in its Lekker Vrij van Gluten range.

  • Jumbo states that these porridge oats carry the Crossed Grain symbol.
  • The statement on the porridge oats says nothing about the other ingredients in your Christmas dish.

Simply Free by Leev

Jumbo lists Simply Free by Leev Havermout Glutenvrij 450 g.

  • The product name explicitly identifies this variety as gluten-free porridge oats.
  • For any other dietary restrictions, check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging.

Zonnatura

Jumbo describes Zonnatura Havermout Glutenvrij Meerzaden as a variety with quinoa and two types of seeds.

  • Its ingredients give it a different texture from plain porridge oats.
  • Those additions won’t necessarily suit every recipe or guest, so check the current ingredients and allergen information.

Elovena

Albert Heijn describes Elovena Natural instant oatmeal as gluten-free porridge oats packaged in individual portions.

  • Individual portions can be handy when you’re preparing a dish separately.
  • For a larger baking recipe, check that this product format and number of portions suit your needs.

Related products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use ordinary porridge oats for someone with coeliac disease?

Don’t use ordinary porridge oats as a substitute for oats explicitly labelled gluten-free. Under the European Commission’s 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 and barley. The gluten content must not exceed 20 mg/kg. Always choose based on the current packaging.

Why aren’t Brinta Havermout and Quaker Oats Express Naturel suitable substitutes?

These standard varieties don’t carry the explicit gluten-free statement you’re looking for when cooking for a guest with coeliac disease. Albert Heijn states that Brinta Havermout may contain traces of wheat and rye; Quaker Nederland states that Quaker Oats Express Naturel may contain soya, barley and wheat.

Which gluten-free porridge oats are suitable for a Christmas dessert?

Choose plain gluten-free porridge oats if you want to decide on the other ingredients and texture yourself. If you’d prefer a variety with seeds and quinoa, Jumbo describes Zonnatura Havermout Glutenvrij Meerzaden as an option. Individually wrapped instant portions are better suited to a dish prepared separately than to a large baking tin.

Should I check the label again if I already know the product?

Yes, check the current packaging before cooking for a guest. Albert Heijn says that product information, including ingredients, nutritional value and allergy information, may change. Also check the labels of everything you add to the dish.