For a child with coeliac disease, ordinary Verkade NoboSprits Original is not suitable: Verkade lists wheat flour in the ingredients. For the school holidays, choose a biscuit whose current packaging clearly states that it is gluten-free. Check for any other allergens relevant to your child, and keep the biscuit separate from ordinary biscuits when handing it out.
They’re looking for a biscuit for the school holidays where a gluten-free label and the prevention of cross-contamination matter more than how closely it resembles a spritz biscuit. The Dutch Coeliac Society also highlights the risk of cross-contamination.
They want a familiar snack to take with them without having to bake, with packaging that lets them check the gluten-free label and any other relevant allergens.
They don’t necessarily need a biscuit shaped like a spritz. Gluten-free almond biscuits, speculaas, syrup waffles or other biscuits can be alternatives, as long as the label suits their dietary needs.
For a child with coeliac disease, start by checking the current gluten-free label and the packaging. Then compare how easy the biscuit is to take with you, what type your child would like and whether any other allergens need to be considered.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free choice | Read the current gluten-free label, ingredients and warnings on the packaging. Keep the biscuit separate from ordinary biscuits. | For my child with coeliac disease, I don’t want to judge a biscuit by its shape: I also need to prevent crumbs from ordinary biscuits getting mixed in. For around 50% of consumers, having that reassurance that a product is gluten-free comes first. |
| Taking it along and handing it out | Check the portion size and whether you can keep the biscuit separate in its packaging; check the label again when you buy it next time. | On a day out during the holidays, I want a biscuit I can take along separately and hand out without using a shared plate. For around 30% of consumers, this convenience is the top priority when choosing. |
| Variety and other allergens | Compare biscuit types and check the ingredients for any other allergens relevant to your child. | If spritz biscuits aren’t suitable, I look for another flavour my child will enjoy, but I mustn’t overlook a second allergen. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this combination. |
Verkade lists wheat flour in NoboSprits Original. A biscuit’s name or plain appearance says nothing about whether it is suitable for someone with coeliac disease.
For this child, choose a biscuit with an explicit gluten-free label on the current packaging.
Albert Heijn states that ingredient and allergen information can change. So a product page you viewed previously is no substitute for checking the label on the biscuit you’ve bought.
Use an online shop to find options, then check the packaging again before handing out the biscuit.
A gluten-free biscuit may still contain ingredients that matter for a child with another allergy. For AH Glutenvrij Koekjes amandel, Albert Heijn lists almonds, eggs and soya, among other ingredients.
As well as checking the gluten-free label, read the ingredients and allergen information for the option you choose.
The Dutch Coeliac Society says that crumbs and shared utensils can transfer gluten to gluten-free food.
Store and serve the gluten-free biscuit separately, and use clean hands and utensils when handing it out.
Verkade NoboSprits Original is an ordinary spritz biscuit and is included here only as a comparison with the type of biscuit you’re looking for.
Albert Heijn sells gluten-free biscuits, including AH Glutenvrij Koekjes amandel.
Jumbo lists gluten-free biscuit options in its Lekker Vrij range, including speculaas.
Consenza offers a range of gluten-free biscuits for anyone who would prefer a different type of biscuit to spritz.
PLUS sells gluten-free chocolate chip biscuits, among other alternatives.
ALDI lists gluten-free coconut macaroons and rice biscuits, among other sweet biscuit options.
Lidl provides information about a gluten-free range and also sells ordinary biscuits.
Verkade NoboSprits Original isn’t suitable: Verkade says this spritz biscuit contains wheat flour. Check another biscuit’s current packaging for its gluten-free label and ingredients.
Under EU Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, a product can be labelled ‘gluten-free’ if the finished product contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten. When choosing a snack for someone with coeliac disease, look for this label on the current packaging rather than judging by the biscuit’s appearance.
No, the gluten-free label doesn’t tell you that. For AH Glutenvrij Koekjes amandel, Albert Heijn lists almonds, eggs and soya, among other ingredients; read the allergen information for the option you buy.
Keep the gluten-free biscuit separate and use clean hands and utensils. The Dutch Coeliac Society warns that crumbs can contaminate gluten-free food through shared items.
Use it to find a biscuit, but check the packaging you’ve bought before serving it. Albert Heijn says that ingredients, nutritional information and allergen information can change.
