If you have coeliac disease, choose a biscuit or breakfast cake labelled ‘gluten-free’ and check the current packaging before eating it; ‘wheat-free’ on its own does not mean that a product is gluten-free. Then decide which format is easiest to take with you, and consider the portion size and any other allergens.
For you, the suitability of the exact product comes first, even when you want to grab something quickly. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre (Voedingscentrum), coeliac disease requires a lifelong gluten-free diet. Under EU Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, the ‘gluten-free’ label is reserved for foods containing no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten.
A bar, small breakfast cake or biscuit may suit you if you want something to eat on the go. Albert Heijn lists a gluten-free breakfast cake bar, while Jumbo offers various gluten-free biscuits and breakfast cake formats. Always check the packaging before choosing.
As well as gluten-free, you may be looking for a particular biscuit texture or a lactose-free option too. Check these features for each product: according to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for pre-packed products appears on the label.
If you have coeliac disease, start by checking for the gluten-free label and reading the current packaging. Then compare how easy the product is to take with you, along with any flavours or additional dietary features that matter to you.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free label and packaging | Look for the ‘gluten-free’ label and read the current ingredients and allergen information. If the product contains oats, check that they are suitable for a gluten-free diet. | If I have coeliac disease, I want to be able to check that the exact product fits my gluten-free diet, even if I already know the brand. This is the most important check for around 50% of consumers. |
| Portability and portion size | Compare the product format and portion per pack: a bar, individual biscuits and an uncut breakfast cake do not all need the same preparation. | On my way to work, I want to take something with me that I can eat without having to cut it first. This convenience is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Flavour and additional dietary requirements | Choose the type of biscuit you prefer, and check any additional claims, allergens and warnings on the exact packaging. | I prefer a crunchy biscuit or am also looking for a lactose-free option. This kind of additional preference comes first for around 20% of consumers. |
‘Wheat-free’ is not the same as ‘gluten-free’. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also notes that oat products can be contaminated with gluten-containing cereals.
Look for the gluten-free label on biscuits and breakfast cake. If you’re choosing an oat product, check the packaging for the official Crossed Grain trademark, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises people with coeliac disease to do.
Ingredients and allergen information can change. That’s why Albert Heijn advises customers to read the packaging before eating a product.
Check the ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging of the product you’re actually going to eat.
A biscuit or piece of breakfast cake is easy to take with you, but the product format doesn’t tell you its nutritional value per portion.
Check the nutritional information per portion and decide whether you want to have it as part of your breakfast.
A lactose-free claim doesn’t tell you everything about other conditions. Jumbo states that Céréal Glutenvrije & Lactosevrije Chocoladekoekjes are not suitable for people with galactosaemia.
If you have additional dietary requirements, check the claims, allergens and warnings for the exact product variant separately.
A supermarket own-label range to explore if you’re looking for gluten-free biscuits and breakfast products alongside your usual shopping.
A supermarket own-label range with different biscuit and breakfast cake formats to compare by variant.
A brand with gluten-free biscuits and other product categories listed by supermarkets.
A brand to consider if you’re looking for chocolate biscuits that are both gluten-free and lactose-free.
Breakfast cake to consider if you’d rather take breakfast cake than a crunchy biscuit with you.
Under EU Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, the ‘gluten-free’ label means that a food contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten. ‘Very low gluten’ has a different limit of no more than 100 mg/kg; ‘wheat-free’ on its own is not a gluten-free label.
Yes, check the packaging of the product you’re going to eat. Albert Heijn warns that ingredients, nutritional values and dietary or allergy information can change; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority also states that allergen information for pre-packed products appears on the label.
No, don’t assume they are. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats can be contaminated with gluten-containing cereals, and oat products are only suitable for people with coeliac disease if the packaging displays the official Crossed Grain trademark. Check the rest of the information on the current packaging too.
A gluten-free biscuit can be a quick breakfast option, but the gluten-free label tells you nothing about its nutritional value or portion size. Check the nutritional information per portion to decide how you want to include it in your breakfast.
No, a lactose-free claim doesn’t confirm that a product is suitable for every milk-related condition. For example, Jumbo states that Céréal Glutenvrije & Lactosevrije Chocoladekoekjes are not suitable for people with galactosaemia; check the information for the exact product if you have other dietary requirements.
