Train travellers with coeliac disease
Looking for a biscuit labelled ‘gluten-free’ on the packaging, rather than a regular spritz biscuit made with wheat flour.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Commuters on a short journey
Want to take a small pack of biscuits that’s ready to eat, without having to bring a large opened pack back with them.
Travellers with other allergen requirements
Check the ingredients and allergens in their chosen variety, as well as the gluten-free label—for example, for milk, soya, nuts, egg or oats.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start by checking that the pack is labelled gluten-free. Then choose a suitable quantity for your journey and check for any other allergens before you set off.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free label | Read the label on the pack you buy and check the ingredients; according to Verkade, regular NoboSprits Original contains wheat flour. | If I have coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on how similar it looks to a spritz biscuit. For around 50% of consumers, the gluten-free label would be their first concern. |
| Pack size | Compare the net weight with the number of travellers and eating occasions, and think about how you’ll carry an opened pack. | For one short journey, I’d rather have a small portion than a large pack in my bag. A compact quantity would be the priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Other allergens | Check the allergens for each flavour and variety on the current packaging, even if it says ‘gluten-free’. | If I’m sharing biscuits with someone who also needs to avoid other ingredients, I want to know what’s in them. For around 10% of consumers, other allergens would be the main concern. |
| Availability | Before setting off, check whether the variety you want is available at the shop where you plan to buy it. | When I’m short on time during my journey, I want to know in advance where I can pick up my chosen variety. Availability would be the first concern for around 10% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Choosing based on the brand name
According to its product information, Verkade’s NoboSprits Original contains wheat flour, while its separate Verkade Glutenvrije Oaties naturel variety is sold as gluten-free. The shared brand name doesn’t make these products interchangeable.
Check the exact product name, the gluten-free label and the ingredients on the pack you buy.
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Assuming gluten-free means free from other allergens
The alternatives described have different ingredients. Albert Heijn’s almond biscuits, for example, list almonds, egg and soya, while other varieties may contain milk or oats.
Read the full allergen information for every flavour, especially if you’re sharing biscuits with someone else on your journey.
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Relying only on an online product page
The ingredients in the biscuits you buy may differ from the information you viewed online earlier. This is particularly important when the gluten-free label or another allergen affects your choice.
Before you set off, check the packaging of the product you’re actually taking with you.
Brands to consider
AH Glutenvrij
Albert Heijn sells AH Glutenvrij Koekjes amandel in a 45 g pack, a size worth considering for a short journey.
- According to Albert Heijn, these almond biscuits are made in a completely gluten-free environment.
- Check the current label for ingredients including almonds, egg and soya.
Verkade
Verkade makes both regular NoboSprits Original and separate gluten-free Oaties varieties. So choose by product, not by brand.
- Albert Heijn sells Verkade Glutenvrije Oaties naturel as gluten-free in a 150 g pack.
- According to Verkade, NoboSprits Original contains wheat flour, so this variety isn’t a gluten-free alternative.
Nairn's
Nairn's Oaties choc chip glutenvrij is an oat biscuit sold by Albert Heijn in a 160 g pack containing 16 biscuits.
- This pack could suit you if you want to take biscuits for several eating occasions.
- Check whether oats, milk and soya are suitable for everyone travelling with you.
PLUS
PLUS sells gluten-free chocolate chip cookies and double cookies, among other options. They’re biscuit alternatives, not spritz biscuits.
- PLUS sells its chocolate chip cookies in a 160 g pack.
- Check the label on this variety for ingredients including hazelnuts, egg and milk.
Biscuit alternative at Joybuy
This 150 g pack of Oaties is worth considering if you want to take biscuits for more than one occasion during your journey. Check the exact variety against the pack you buy before your train trip.
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Verkade Gv Oaties Milk Chocolate 150 g
For anyone wanting to take a pack of biscuits for several occasions during their journey. The pack contains 150 g; check the gluten-free label and allergens on the packaging you buy, including milk, soya and possibly nuts.
Frequently asked questions
Is Verkade NoboSprits Original gluten-free?
No. These regular spritz biscuits aren’t a gluten-free choice: Verkade lists wheat flour in the ingredients. For your journey, look for a biscuit specifically labelled gluten-free and read the label on the variety you choose.
Why should I read the label if a product page says ‘gluten-free’?
The label is for the pack you’re actually taking with you. Just before you set off, check its gluten-free label, ingredients and allergens, even if you looked up the biscuits online earlier.
What other allergens might a gluten-free biscuit alternative contain?
It varies by variety. The product information from Albert Heijn and PLUS lists ingredients including almonds, egg, soya, milk, hazelnuts or oats in the alternatives mentioned. Always check the allergen information on the current pack.
What should I do with an opened pack of biscuits during my train journey?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and take a resealable container with you if you have any biscuits left over. For its almond biscuits, Albert Heijn recommends storing them in a sealed tin after opening.
Where should I put empty packaging on an NS train?
Put it in a bin. NS asks passengers not to leave rubbish on the train, so keep it with you until you reach a bin.