Who is this choice relevant to?

Coffee drinkers with coeliac disease

You’re looking for speculaas to enjoy with your coffee and want to see a ‘gluten-free’ label on the current packaging. The product name or brand alone doesn’t confirm this.

Shoppers with multiple food allergies

As well as gluten, you may need to avoid eggs, milk, lupin, nuts or sesame. In that case, the allergen information on the individual pack will determine whether it’s right for you.

Planning a coffee break

You’re looking for a pack that suits the number of people or coffee breaks you’re planning. Compare the pack size and portion information, and check whether the product you’ve chosen is available.

What should you look for when choosing?

If you have coeliac disease, first check the current ‘gluten-free’ label before choosing something for your coffee break. Then compare any other allergens and consider the practicalities of the packaging. A certification mark can help narrow down your options, but it doesn’t replace checking the label.

What to consider What to check when buying Who should pay particular attention?
Gluten-free label Look for ‘gluten-free’ on the current packaging. If you also want a certification mark, check for the Crossed Grain symbol. If I have coeliac disease, I want to be sure the speculaas is labelled gluten-free before serving it at my coffee break. This check is the top priority for around 50% of consumers.
Other allergens Read the ingredients and check both the ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ information for any allergens relevant to you. If you have coeliac disease as well as, for example, an egg or nut allergy, you can’t rely on the gluten-free label alone. Checking for other allergens is the main priority for around 25% of consumers.
Packaging and availability Compare the pack size and portion information, and check whether the product you’ve chosen is available. When planning a coffee break, I want to know whether a pack will suit the number of occasions I’m planning to serve speculaas. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this practical consideration.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming speculaas or speculoos is automatically gluten-free

    A product name or flavour doesn’t tell you whether a biscuit is labelled gluten-free for someone with coeliac disease. According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, a product can be labelled ‘gluten-free’ if it contains less than 20 mg of gluten per kg.

    Check the label on the current packaging when you buy it, even if you already know the brand.

  • Stopping after checking the gluten-free label

    Gluten-free speculaas may still contain other allergens. Albert Heijn and Jumbo both list eggs for the products discussed here, as well as noting the possible presence of other allergens.

    Read the full ingredients and allergen information if you need to avoid anything besides gluten.

  • Relying on a certification mark instead of checking allergens

    According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, the Crossed Grain certification mark covers both the ingredients and the production process. It doesn’t tell you whether a product is suitable for someone with a separate egg, milk or nut allergy.

    Always check the allergen information on the packaging as well as looking for the certification mark.

  • Assuming a product page confirms availability

    The Jumbo page for Consenza Glutenvrije Speculaasjes says that Jumbo no longer stocks the product. So, product information on that page doesn’t mean you can order it there.

    Check current availability before choosing a particular brand for your coffee break.

Brands to consider

The differences below relate to the specific speculaas products mentioned, not the full ranges of these brands. Check the packaging for each product before buying.

AH Glutenvrij

Albert Heijn lists AH Glutenvrij Speculaas in a 125 g pack.

  • The product information describes a gluten-free, lactose-free speculaas made in a completely gluten-free environment.
  • The product contains eggs and may contain sesame and nuts. Albert Heijn says that ingredient and allergen information can change, so check the packaging.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten

Jumbo lists Lekker Vrij van Gluten Speculaas in a 125 g pack.

  • Jumbo lists the Crossed Grain certification mark for this product and displays the associated symbol.
  • The product information lists eggs and the possible presence of milk, lupin, nuts and sesame, among other allergens. Check the packaging if any of these are relevant to you.

Consenza

Jumbo has a separate listing for a 100 g pack of Consenza Glutenvrije Speculaasjes.

  • The product listing describes gluten-free speculaas biscuits as an alternative to the own-brand products mentioned above.
  • Jumbo says on that page that it no longer stocks the product. The listed allergens include eggs, lupin and milk; if you shop elsewhere, check both availability and the current label.

Related Joybuy products

Related products will appear here soon.

Frequently asked questions

When can speculaas be labelled ‘gluten-free’?

According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, products can be labelled ‘gluten-free’ if they contain less than 20 mg of gluten per kg. If you have coeliac disease, check that the current speculaas packaging carries this label.

Do I need the Crossed Grain certification mark as well as a ‘gluten-free’ label?

No. The certification mark is an additional, voluntary way to identify a product, and doesn’t replace the ‘gluten-free’ label. According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, certification also takes the production process into account. You should still check the allergen information for your own needs.

Should I check for other allergens in gluten-free speculaas?

Yes. ‘Gluten-free’ doesn’t mean a product is free from other allergens. For AH Glutenvrij Speculaas, Albert Heijn lists eggs and the possible presence of sesame and nuts. For Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten Speculaas, Jumbo lists eggs and the possible presence of milk, lupin, nuts and sesame, among other allergens. Check the current packaging if any of these allergens are relevant to you.

Can I rely on the ingredients listed on an older product page?

Use the current packaging as your guide when you buy. Albert Heijn says that product, ingredient and allergen information can change, so a product page you read earlier shouldn’t replace a final check.

How should I store speculaas for a coffee break?

Follow the storage instructions on the packaging you buy. Albert Heijn and Jumbo’s product pages say to store the biscuits in a cool, dry place; Albert Heijn also says to keep them away from light.