Who needs to check both?

Vegans with coeliac disease

Look for an explicit gluten-free label on the same packaging, then check the ingredients for milk, whey, egg and other animal-derived ingredients. One check does not replace the other.

Plant-based shoppers who also want to eat gluten-free

Breakfast cake labelled gluten-free may still contain milk ingredients. So even if you know the product range, check the current ingredients and allergen information.

Shoppers comparing portions and nutritional information

An individually wrapped breakfast cake bar and a whole cake suit different occasions. Compare packaging and nutritional information only for products that meet both your dietary requirements.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by checking the gluten-free label and the ingredients of the same breakfast cake. Only once both meet your requirements do portion size and nutritional information become relevant.

What to check What should you look for? Who is this most important for?
Both dietary requirements Look for the gluten-free label on the packaging and check the ingredients list for animal-derived ingredients, including milk, whey and egg. I want to choose one breakfast cake without overlooking either of my dietary requirements. This double check comes first for around 34% of consumers.
Gluten-free label Check that the packaging explicitly says gluten-free; an ingredients list that simply contains no wheat is not a substitute. If I need to choose gluten-free because of coeliac disease, I want a clear label on the product itself. Around 33% of consumers give this check top priority.
Packaging and portion Compare an individually wrapped bar with a whole cake by pack weight and the portion you plan to eat. For eating on the go, I prefer an individually wrapped bar; at home, a larger cake may suit me better. Portion size matters most to around 20% of consumers.
Nutritional information Compare the sugar content per 100 g and consider the portion you actually eat. I want to know how much sugar is in my usual portion without treating a gluten-free claim as a nutritional judgement. This is the main comparison point for around 13% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming gluten-free means vegan

    The gluten-free breakfast cakes from Peijnenburg, AH Glutenvrij and Jumbo Lekker Vrij listed by Albert Heijn and Jumbo contain milk or whey protein concentrate. So the gluten-free label does not mean these varieties are vegan.

    First check the gluten-free label on the same packaging, then check the ingredients and allergen information for animal-derived ingredients.

  • Reading the Crossed Grain logo as a vegan certification

    According to Kiwa, this certification relates to gluten-free status, not the absence of animal ingredients. Jumbo lists both the certification and whey protein concentrate for its Lekker Vrij breakfast cake.

    Use the logo to check whether the product is gluten-free, and check its vegan suitability separately by reading the ingredients.

  • Assuming every breakfast cake contains iodised baker’s salt

    A general statement about baker’s salt does not tell you which type of salt was used in a specific breakfast cake.

    If the type of salt matters to you, check the packaging or ask the manufacturer.

Relevant brands to compare

The product ranges below show why gluten-free labelling and vegan suitability need to be checked separately.

Peijnenburg

Albert Heijn and PLUS list a 285 g unsliced, gluten-free Peijnenburg breakfast cake.

  • Albert Heijn’s product listing specifies that it is gluten-free and gives a 30 g portion size.
  • The ingredients include whey protein concentrate from milk, so this variety is not vegan.

AH Glutenvrij

Albert Heijn lists a 65 g gluten-free breakfast cake bar.

  • According to Albert Heijn, the bar is made in a completely gluten-free environment.
  • The ingredients include whey protein concentrate, and the allergen information lists milk and lactose, so this bar is not vegan.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij

Jumbo lists a 300 g unsliced gluten-free breakfast cake in its Lekker Vrij range.

  • The product information includes the Crossed Grain certification.
  • According to Jumbo, this breakfast cake contains whey protein concentrate from milk, so it is not vegan.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

When can you rely on a gluten-free label?

Check that the current packaging for the breakfast cake explicitly says gluten-free. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, this label must meet the applicable European requirements; simply leaving wheat out of a short product description does not provide the same information.

Is gluten-free breakfast cake automatically vegan?

No. The gluten-free varieties of Peijnenburg, AH Glutenvrij and Jumbo Lekker Vrij listed by Albert Heijn and Jumbo contain milk or whey protein concentrate. So alongside the gluten-free label, read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.

Does the Crossed Grain logo mean a breakfast cake is vegan?

No. According to Kiwa, the logo relates to gluten-free certification; it does not indicate that the ingredients are vegan. Check separately for animal-derived ingredients.

How can you check whether a breakfast cake contains iodised baker’s salt?

Check the ingredients on the packaging or ask the manufacturer which type of salt was used in that breakfast cake. Don’t assume a general statement about baker’s salt applies to a specific product.

How should you store opened breakfast cake?

Follow the storage instructions on the packaging of the breakfast cake you choose. For its gluten-free Peijnenburg variety, Albert Heijn recommends storing it in a cool, dark, dry place, preferably in a sealed container or tin; Jumbo advises keeping its Lekker Vrij variety in a cool, dry place.