If you have coeliac disease, first choose a biscuit whose current packaging explicitly says ‘gluten-free’; its shape or an individual wrapper doesn’t prove that it’s suitable. According to Verkade, Verkade Nobo Sprits Original contains wheat flour. If you’re considering a different type of biscuit, check for warnings about possible cross-contamination as well as the gluten-free labelling, and make sure the portions really are individually wrapped.
You want to choose a biscuit based on its gluten-free labelling and current allergen information, not its shape or brand. The Dutch Coeliac Association also advises checking for warnings about possible cross-contamination.
For school, work or days out, you’re looking for a biscuit or snack that you can keep unopened and separate. Check both that the portion is individually wrapped and that the product is explicitly labelled gluten-free.
If you can’t find a gluten-free, individually wrapped spritz biscuit, you could consider another type of gluten-free biscuit. Don’t switch to ordinary spritz biscuits without checking the label: Verkade lists wheat flour as an ingredient in Nobo Sprits Original.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free labelling | Check the current packaging for ‘gluten-free’ or a gluten-free logo, and read the ingredients and warnings. | If I’m buying for someone with coeliac disease, the labelling on the exact product matters more than the biscuit’s shape. For around 50% of consumers, that reassurance would be the top priority when buying. |
| Individual portions | Check whether each biscuit or snack portion has its own sealed wrapper; a small box doesn’t tell you this. | When I’m out and about, I want to be able to take one unopened portion with me and keep the rest separate. Around 30% of consumers would prioritise this type of packaging. |
| Type of biscuit | Check whether it’s a spritz biscuit or another gluten-free biscuit, and read the product information for that specific biscuit. | I prefer spritz biscuits, but I want to know what other biscuit I can choose without compromising on gluten-free requirements. Around 20% of consumers would prioritise their preferred type of biscuit. |
Verkade describes Oaties Melkchocolade as gluten-free, but lists wheat flour in Nobo Sprits Original. So two biscuits from the same brand can’t be assessed in the same way.
Read the gluten-free labelling and ingredients for the exact product you’re buying.
Individual wrapping can be handy for taking biscuits with you and keeping them separate, but it tells you nothing about the ingredients.
First check that the product is explicitly labelled gluten-free, then see whether the portions are individually sealed.
Ingredients and allergen information can change. What’s more, a photo of a box doesn’t always show how the biscuits are wrapped inside.
Compare the online information with the packaging of the product you actually buy. If you’re unsure, ask the shop or manufacturer about the exact product.
According to the Dutch Coeliac Association, cross-contamination with gluten can also affect people with coeliac disease.
Keep gluten-free biscuits sealed and separate. Use clean hands and clean utensils when serving them.
With Verkade, your choice depends largely on the specific biscuit range.
Albert Heijn lists several types of gluten-free biscuits in its online range.
Jumbo has a separate category for gluten-free biscuit alternatives.
Lidl lists Roomboter spritsen and also provides information about gluten-free products.
Aldi lists other types of gluten-free biscuits if you’re open to alternatives to spritz biscuits.
PLUS has an online gluten-free range that includes its own chocolate chip cookies.
No. An individual wrapper tells you nothing about whether the biscuit contains gluten. Check the current packaging for gluten-free labelling, ingredients and warnings about possible cross-contamination.
A wheat ingredient doesn’t automatically rule out a valid gluten-free claim: according to the Dutch Coeliac Association, the claim is what matters. However, read the current ingredients and warnings for the exact product, and ask the manufacturer for clarification if anything is unclear.
This wording warns of possible cross-contamination. The Dutch Coeliac Association considers such warnings relevant information for people with coeliac disease, so don’t ignore them just because a biscuit is individually wrapped.
Keep gluten-free biscuits sealed and separate from ordinary biscuits and crumbs. Use clean hands and clean serving utensils when opening a pack; an unopened portion is handy to take with you.
