Who is this choice important for?

Camper with coeliac disease

You want to take breakfast to the festival without mistaking ordinary oats for gluten-free porridge oats. When preparing them, you also need to watch out for possible contact with products containing gluten.

Festival-goer with limited cooking equipment

You may only have a camping stove, pan or kettle. So, before you buy, you want to know how to prepare your chosen product and whether you can do that at the campsite.

Label-conscious shopper stocking up

You buy breakfast before setting off and compare gluten-free oat flakes, mixes and portion packs by their ingredients and allergen information. The packaging you actually take with you is what matters.

What should you look for when choosing?

If you have coeliac disease, first check the gluten-free claim and allergen information on the packaging. Then compare the preparation instructions and ingredients with what you want and are able to use at the campsite.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this important for?
Gluten-free labelling Read the current packaging: does it say gluten-free or display the Crossed Grain symbol, and what does the allergen information say? If I have coeliac disease, I don't want to take ordinary oats when I can't confirm they're suitable. For around 50% of consumers, that assurance that a product is gluten-free comes first.
Preparing them at the campsite Check how much liquid is needed and whether the instructions require a pan, heat source or microwave. If I'm only taking basic cooking equipment, I need to be able to prepare breakfast with it. Practical preparation is the top priority for around 30% of consumers.
Ingredients and variety Once you've checked that they're gluten-free, compare the ingredients in plain oat flakes and mixes, such as those containing seeds. Once I've settled on a gluten-free option, I want to decide whether to add something myself or take a mix. The ingredients are the deciding factor for around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ordinary oats are suitable for coeliac disease

    Oats can come into contact with cereals containing gluten during production. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre and the Dutch Coeliac Society therefore advise people with coeliac disease to look for clearly labelled gluten-free packaging.

    Choose porridge oats with a current gluten-free claim, ideally bearing the Crossed Grain symbol, rather than ordinary oats without that confirmation.

  • Assuming a quick-cook portion sachet is gluten-free

    Preparation time tells you nothing about the possible presence of gluten. Quaker states that Oats Express Naturel may contain barley and wheat (gluten).

    Check the gluten-free claim and allergen information for the exact variety before comparing preparation times.

  • Leaving your purchase until just before you set off

    A product page doesn't guarantee that you'll be able to buy a particular pack in time. For the own-brand porridge oats and Zonnatura Meerzaden variety examined, Jumbo reported that they were no longer available in its online range.

    Check availability with the shop you plan to buy from and inspect the packaging before you leave. If necessary, take a different breakfast that you've confirmed is gluten-free.

  • Checking only the dry oats

    Shared pans, spoons, toppings and storage containers can lead to contact with products containing gluten while camping.

    Use your own clean cooking equipment, seal the pack tightly after opening, and ask for allergen information about any shared or unpackaged food.

Brands and product ranges to consider

Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten

The Jumbo porridge oats examined, in a 450 g pack, were labelled as gluten-free oat flakes and displayed the Crossed Grain symbol.

  • According to Jumbo, prepare with 250 ml of liquid per 45 g of oats.
  • Jumbo reported that this variety was no longer available in its online range. Check current availability before doing your festival shopping.

AH Glutenvrij

Albert Heijn's gluten-free range includes wholegrain porridge oats and wholegrain oat flakes in 450 g packs.

  • The range gives you a familiar starting point when looking for gluten-free oats.
  • Check the ingredients, allergen information and gluten-free claim on the specific pack you choose.

Zonnatura

Zonnatura Havermout Glutenvrij Meerzaden in a 350 g pack is a mix of oat flakes and seeds.

  • According to Jumbo's product information, the mix is made up of 95% gluten-free wholegrain oat flakes, along with linseed, chia seeds and puffed quinoa.
  • The preparation instructions call for a pan or microwave. Jumbo also reported that this variety was no longer available online; check current availability.

Leev

Joybuy's product description lists Leev Nederlandse havermout, in a 450 g pack, as organic, gluten-free wholegrain porridge oats.

  • According to the product description, the ingredients list consists of organic, gluten-free wholegrain oats.
  • Before use, check the gluten-free claim, allergen information and best-before date on the pack you receive.

Quaker

Quaker Oats Express Naturel is a standard oat product in portion packs, not a confirmed gluten-free option for this article.

  • The portion pack is designed for quick preparation.
  • Quaker states that this variety may contain soya, barley and wheat (gluten). Don't choose it as a gluten-free festival breakfast if you have coeliac disease.

Porridge oat products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are ordinary porridge oats suitable if you have coeliac disease?

No. Ordinary porridge oats aren't automatically suitable if you have coeliac disease, as oats can come into contact with cereals containing gluten. Choose a pack that explicitly says gluten-free, ideally one bearing the Crossed Grain symbol.

Can I take Quaker Oats Express Naturel as a gluten-free festival breakfast?

No. Don't choose Quaker Oats Express Naturel as a strict gluten-free option if you have coeliac disease: Quaker states that this variety may contain barley and wheat (gluten). Check any other variety separately against its current packaging.

What do I need to make hot gluten-free porridge oats at the campsite?

It depends on the instructions on the pack you've chosen and the cooking equipment available. For the porridge oats it examined, Jumbo specified 250 ml of liquid per 45 g and preparation in a pan; for the Zonnatura Meerzaden variety, it mentioned a pan or microwave. Before you set off, check which option you'll actually have available.

Do I still need to read the packaging if I've already chosen a gluten-free variety online?

Yes. Check the pack you receive before packing or using the oats. Pay particular attention to the gluten-free claim, ingredients and allergen information. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority notes that prepacked products must display allergen information on the label.