Anyone shopping for someone with coeliac disease
You want to be able to see on the pack that the cornflakes are gluten-free. A familiar product name or corn as the first ingredient doesn’t replace that check.
If you’re buying cornflakes for someone with coeliac disease, choose a pack with a current ‘gluten-free’ label or a recognised gluten-free certification. Corn as the main ingredient isn’t enough. Before doing your weekly shop, also check whether the product is available and how many packs you’ll need. If you have a particular brand or certification in mind, you may need to look at another retailer.
You want to be able to see on the pack that the cornflakes are gluten-free. A familiar product name or corn as the first ingredient doesn’t replace that check.
You’re looking for cornflakes you can buy alongside everything else. Check the product’s current availability, and have another gluten-free option in mind in case your usual pack is unavailable.
Once you’ve checked that the product is gluten-free, you’ll want to know how many portions are in a pack and compare the nutritional values per 100 g and per portion.
First check the gluten-free label on the pack, then check availability, and only then compare the nutritional information and the quantity you’ll need for your weekly shop.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free label | Look for a current ‘gluten-free’ label or recognised gluten-free certification on the pack, and read the ingredients. | When I buy cornflakes for someone with coeliac disease, I want to be able to identify the gluten-free label on the pack. This check is the top priority for around 46% of consumers. |
| Availability | Check the product’s current availability when ordering or shopping, and decide in advance which gluten-free alternative you could choose. | My usual pack needs to be available as part of my weekly shop; otherwise, I’ll need another gluten-free option. This reassurance is the main consideration for around 27% of consumers. |
| Nutritional information | Once you’ve selected gluten-free products, compare the sugar, salt and fibre per 100 g, and check the stated portion size too. | When I can choose between gluten-free products, I want to match the nutritional information to what I usually eat. Around 18% of consumers prioritise this comparison. |
| Pack size | Check the pack size and the number of stated portions to work out how many packs you’ll need for the week. | I want to buy enough cornflakes for the whole week without needing to pick up another pack halfway through. Pack size is the most important consideration for around 9% of consumers. |
Corn as the main ingredient doesn’t rule out other ingredients. For example, Kellogg’s Nederland lists barley malt extract in the ingredients of Kellogg’s Corn Flakes.
For someone with coeliac disease, choose cornflakes based on the gluten-free label or recognised certification on the current pack, and read the ingredients list too.
Jumbo listed its Lekker Vrij van Gluten Cornflakes as no longer available; Schär Cornflakes was also listed as no longer part of the range at Albert Heijn. So a suitable product may not be available to order from your usual shop.
Check the product’s availability before finishing your weekly shop and, if necessary, choose another pack with a confirmed gluten-free label.
Shopping at another retailer could mean an extra trip or a separate order.
A pack’s size says nothing about whether it’s suitable for a gluten-free diet. A larger pack won’t help with your weekly shop if you can’t confirm that the product has a gluten-free label for someone with coeliac disease.
Compare pack sizes and portions only between products that meet your gluten-free requirements.
Albert Heijn warns that ingredient, nutritional and allergen information can change. So a previous purchase is no substitute for checking the label on the pack you’re buying now.
When you buy it again, check the gluten-free label, ingredients and allergen information on the pack.
The product ranges below can help you distinguish between labels and retailers; always check the specific pack when you buy.
Albert Heijn’s own-brand range includes AH Glutenvrij Cornflakes in a 200 g pack.
Jumbo listed 200 g packs of Lekker Vrij van Gluten Cornflakes with the Crossed Grain symbol.
Schär Cornflakes are a brand to ask about at different retailers.
Kellogg’s Corn Flakes are an example of why corn as an ingredient isn’t enough to determine whether cornflakes are gluten-free.
ALDI presents Golden Bridge Cornflakes as standard cornflakes.
No, corn as the main ingredient isn’t enough. For example, Kellogg’s Nederland lists barley malt extract in Kellogg’s Corn Flakes. If you’re buying for someone with coeliac disease, check the gluten-free label and ingredients on the current pack.
No, certification isn’t the only way to identify gluten-free cornflakes. The Dutch Coeliac Society also mentions the words ‘gluten-free’ and a gluten-free logo. Check which label appears on the pack you’re buying.
Choose another product whose current packaging you can check for a gluten-free label. Check the product’s availability before finishing your weekly shop; another brand may also be available from a different retailer.
Store them in a cool, dark, dry place and seal the pack securely after use. Follow any instructions on the pack you’ve bought.