If you have coeliac disease, choose speculaas whose current packaging explicitly states that it is gluten-free. For your gym bag, compare the portion size, nutritional information and any other allergens. Regular Lotus Speculoos is not a gluten-free alternative: Albert Heijn lists wheat flour in the ingredients.
You’re looking for speculaas to take with you, but the product name doesn’t tell you whether it’s gluten-free. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends looking for the words ‘gluten-free’ and the Crossed Grain symbol on the packaging.
You want to decide in advance how many biscuits to put in your bag. Albert Heijn and Jumbo’s product information gives portion sizes for their gluten-free speculaas biscuits; compare these with the packaging and nutritional information.
As well as gluten, you need to watch out for other ingredients. For the exact variety you’re buying, check both the allergens in the ingredients list and any ‘may contain’ statement.
If you have coeliac disease, the first requirement is a current gluten-free statement. After that, the portion format, other allergens and nutritional information will help you choose speculaas to suit your plans when you’re out and about.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free statement | Check the current packaging for the words ‘gluten-free’; the Crossed Grain symbol can also help you identify suitable products. | If I’m taking a biscuit because I have coeliac disease, I want to know first whether it’s labelled gluten-free. Around 50% of consumers put this requirement first. |
| Portion format | Compare the stated portion size and choose between small speculaas biscuits and an individual biscuit. | When I’m out and about, I want to decide in advance how many biscuits to take, rather than treating the whole pack as one portion. Portion format is the most important factor for around 30% of consumers. |
| Other ingredients | Check ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements for other allergens; read the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion. | As well as gluten, I need to take account of my other allergens or what I eat per portion. This information is the deciding factor for around 20% of consumers. |
Albert Heijn’s listing for Lotus Speculoos names wheat flour as an ingredient. Buying a biscuit in an individual pack doesn’t make it gluten-free.
Check that the packaging of the product you’re buying explicitly states that it is gluten-free.
Albert Heijn and Jumbo’s product information also lists egg and the possible presence of other allergens in their gluten-free speculaas biscuits. This information matters in addition to the gluten-free statement.
If you have another allergy, check both the ingredients list and the ‘may contain’ statement on the current packaging.
Albert Heijn states that AH Glutenvrij Speculaas contains 13 portions of 9.6 g; Jumbo lists around 12 portions for its variety. The stated portion is therefore not the same as the whole pack.
Compare the portion size with the nutritional information when deciding how many biscuits to take with you.
Jumbo’s listing for Consenza’s filled gluten-free speculaas biscuit said that the product was no longer in its online range.
Check current availability and the label before choosing this format.
Albert Heijn describes AH Glutenvrij Speculaas as small speculaas biscuits in a 125 g pack and states that they are made in a completely gluten-free environment.
Jumbo lists 125 g packs of gluten-free speculaas biscuits bearing the Crossed Grain symbol.
Consenza offers a filled gluten-free speculaas biscuit as an alternative to small speculaas biscuits.
Jumbo describes Schär Gluten Free Speculoos 100 g as gluten-free speculaas.
Regular Lotus Speculoos is a reference point for standard speculoos, not gluten-free speculaas for people with coeliac disease.
Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, the words ‘gluten-free’ may be used if the food sold to the final consumer contains no more than 20 mg of gluten per kg. Check for this statement on the current packaging.
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends looking for both the words ‘gluten-free’ and the Crossed Grain symbol on the packaging; the ‘gluten-free’ statement does not depend on the symbol.
Yes. A gluten-free statement says nothing about other allergens. The European Commission notes that any allergens present are highlighted in the ingredients list; also check for any ‘may contain’ statements on the exact variety you’re buying.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging. Albert Heijn and Jumbo recommend storing their gluten-free speculaas in a cool, dry place; a well-sealed, undamaged pack can help when you’re taking biscuits with you.
