Parents who shop strictly gluten-free
For parents and carers of a child with coeliac disease, choosing starts with the gluten-free label on the packaging. The Dutch Coeliac Society also stresses the importance of eating gluten-free at school.
Who is this for?
Families managing additional food allergies
If you need to avoid allergens as well as gluten, check the information for each product. Albert Heijn and Jumbo’s product information shows that gluten-free speculoos biscuits may contain egg, for example, and that warnings about the possible presence of other allergens also need your attention.
Parents and school staff planning lunchtime
On regular school days and when treats are shared, it helps to make clear which portion is for your child. The Dutch Coeliac Society recommends agreeing this with the school.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start by checking the gluten-free label and allergen information for the exact product. Then decide how to label the portion and pack it separately for school.
| What to check | What to look for when buying | Most important for |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free label | Check that the current packaging says ‘gluten-free’ and read the ingredients list. According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, this label means the product contains less than 20 mg of gluten per kg. | When shopping for a child with coeliac disease, don’t rely on the name speculoos; check for the gluten-free label on the biscuits you choose. Around 50% of consumers make this their priority. |
| Other allergens | Read the ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ warnings and compare them with the arrangements you’ve made for your child. Gluten-free does not automatically mean free from egg, milk, nuts, sesame or lupin. | If your child also needs to avoid other allergens, a gluten-free biscuit may still not meet the agreed requirements. Around 30% of consumers make this additional check their priority. |
| Packing it for school | Pack the portion in a clearly identifiable, sealed container of its own and agree in advance what your child will be given when treats are shared. | At school, your child’s portion needs to remain easy to identify, including when treats are shared. For around 20% of consumers, these arrangements are the top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming the flavour name means the product is gluten-free
The fact that a biscuit is called speculoos says nothing about whether it is gluten-free. For a child with coeliac disease, that assumption is not enough to make it suitable for their lunchbox.
Check for the ‘gluten-free’ label on the current packaging and read the ingredients list.
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Overlooking other allergens
Gluten-free speculoos biscuits may contain egg or carry a warning about the possible presence of milk, nuts, sesame or lupin, among other allergens. The information varies from product to product.
Compare both the ingredients and the ‘may contain’ warning with the arrangements you’ve made for your child.
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Relying on an old product page
Ingredients and allergen information can change. An old product listing also doesn’t guarantee that the same item is still available.
Check the packaging of the product you’re actually packing for your child every time you buy it.
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Not agreeing what will happen when treats are shared
Choosing a biscuit carefully won’t help if it’s unclear which portion is for your child at a shared mealtime.
Pack a clearly identifiable container of your own and agree with the school in advance what will happen when treats are shared and at celebrations.
Brands and product ranges to consider
AH Glutenvrij
Albert Heijn lists AH Glutenvrij Speculaas in a 125 g pack and describes it as gluten-free and lactose-free.
- Albert Heijn says these speculoos biscuits are made in a completely gluten-free environment.
- The product contains egg; Albert Heijn also warns that it may contain sesame and nuts. Check the current packaging if your child has additional allergies.
Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten
Jumbo lists Lekker Vrij van Gluten Speculaas in a 125 g pack as part of its gluten-free range.
- Jumbo highlights the crossed-grain symbol on these speculoos biscuits to help you identify them.
- The product contains egg. Jumbo also warns that it may contain nuts, lupin, milk and sesame, among other allergens; check the current allergen information.
Consenza
Jumbo listed Consenza Glutenvrije Speculaasjes in a 100 g pack, alongside its own-brand gluten-free speculoos biscuits.
- Jumbo’s listing provides ingredient and allergen information for this particular product.
- Jumbo lists egg, lupin and milk and says the product is no longer part of its online range. If you find it elsewhere, check the packaging again.
Speculoos products on Joybuy
Related products will appear soon.
Frequently asked questions
What does ‘gluten-free’ mean on a packet of speculoos biscuits?
According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, the ‘gluten-free’ label means the product contains less than 20 mg of gluten per kg. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority refers to the requirements of EU Regulation 828/2014 for this label. Check the label on the current packaging of the speculoos biscuits you’re buying.
Are ordinary speculoos biscuits automatically suitable for a child with coeliac disease?
No. The name speculoos does not confirm that a product is gluten-free. Only choose biscuits for your child’s lunchbox once you’ve checked the gluten-free label, ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging.
Which other allergens should you look out for in gluten-free speculoos biscuits?
It varies by product: Albert Heijn and Jumbo list egg in the gluten-free options mentioned here, and also warn about the possible presence of other allergens. Check both the ingredients and the ‘may contain’ information, and compare them with the arrangements you’ve made for your child.
How should you pack gluten-free speculoos biscuits for school treats?
Pack a clearly identifiable portion in a sealed container of its own and agree in advance with the school what your child will be given when treats are shared. That way, no one has to guess which biscuits are for your child when it’s time to eat.