If you have coeliac disease, don’t assume a spritz biscuit is gluten-free just because of its name: Verkade lists wheat flour as an ingredient in NoboSprits Original. For a night shift, first choose a biscuit with a clear gluten-free label on the current packaging. Then compare the portion size, other allergens and nutritional information. An oat, almond or chocolate biscuit could be an alternative, but it isn’t a spritz biscuit.
You want to take a packaged biscuit with you, without having to look for an alternative during your shift. According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, checking the gluten-free label and being aware of cross-contamination are more important than finding something that looks like a regular spritz biscuit.
You want to know how many biscuits to take and whether the pack will fit in your bag. A small pack, or a portion set aside in advance from a larger pack, makes it easier to decide.
As well as gluten, you may need to consider lactose or other allergens. Check each product’s ingredients, allergen information and nutritional details, including sugars and fats per portion.
If you have coeliac disease, first check the gluten-free label on the packaging. Then compare the type and quantity of biscuit, along with any other product information that matters for your shift.
| What to look for | What to check before buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free label | Look for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol on the current packaging, and read any warnings about possible cross-contamination. The Dutch Coeliac Society highlights the importance of checking labels and avoiding cross-contamination. | If I have coeliac disease, I want to know before my shift whether this particular biscuit is labelled gluten-free. Around 31% of consumers put this assurance first when choosing. |
| Packaging and portion size | Compare the net weight, number of portions and storage instructions. Consider whether you can take the pack with you unopened. | For a long shift, I want to take an amount that’s easy to store. For around 25% of consumers, portion size and packaging are the most important factors. |
| Type of biscuit | Compare gluten-free-labelled oat, almond or chocolate biscuits by their ingredients and flavour, without assuming that any of them is the same as a spritz biscuit. | I’m looking for a sweet biscuit break, but I don’t need a spritz biscuit if another gluten-free biscuit appeals to me. The type of biscuit is the deciding factor for around 25% of consumers. |
| Other allergens and nutritional information | Read the allergen information and, if needed, compare sugars, fats, fibre and energy per 100 g and per portion. | If I also need to watch out for lactose or other allergens, or want to compare nutritional values, I look beyond the gluten-free label. Around 19% of consumers prioritise these additional requirements. |
A regular spritz biscuit isn’t automatically suitable for someone with coeliac disease. Verkade lists wheat flour in NoboSprits Original.
Check that the packaging of the exact product you want to take with you clearly says it’s gluten-free. Don’t rely on the type of biscuit or brand name alone.
If the flavour or ingredients have changed, the information you remember about a product may no longer match the pack in your hand.
Check the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging before eating it, even if you’ve bought the biscuit before.
According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Verkade Oaties milk chocolate contains milk and soya and may contain nuts. Jumbo lists soya and the possible presence of other allergens for Céréal Glutenvrije & Lactosevrije Chocoladekoekjes.
Once you’ve checked the gluten-free label, check separately for any allergens that matter to you.
A gluten-free label doesn’t tell you how much sugar, fat or fibre a biscuit contains. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that snacks can vary considerably in these respects.
Check the nutritional information per portion and consider how the biscuit fits in with what else you eat during your shift.
These brands offer options across different types of biscuit. Always check the label and allergen information for the individual product.
Verkade offers Oaties, which are labelled gluten-free, alongside regular NoboSprits Original.
The range includes almond biscuits in a 45 g pack, ideal if you want something small to take with you.
An option if you’re specifically looking for a chocolate biscuit that’s both gluten-free and lactose-free.
A brand to compare for different types of gluten-free biscuit if you don’t need a spritz shape.
A supermarket own-brand option for gluten-free biscuits and snacks other than spritz biscuits.
Not necessarily: Verkade lists wheat flour as an ingredient in NoboSprits Original. For any spritz biscuit you’re considering, check the current packaging for a clear gluten-free label.
Look for the word ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol on the current packaging. The Dutch Coeliac Society recommends using a gluten-free label as your starting point; also read the ingredients and any warnings about cross-contamination.
Use the product page to narrow down your options, but check the packaging before eating the product. Ingredients and allergen information may differ from what you expect if the variety or recipe has changed.
Ideally, take the biscuit with you in its sealed original packaging and keep it away from gluten-containing crumbs on shared surfaces. The Dutch Coeliac Society describes cross-contamination as gluten getting into food that shouldn’t contain it, so make sure you reseal an opened pack carefully.
No. The gluten-free label doesn’t tell you how much sugar, fat or fibre a biscuit contains. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion, and consider how much you want to take with you for your shift.
