If you have coeliac disease, look for a clear gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol. The word ‘oats’ on the packaging alone isn’t enough. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, regular oats can be contaminated with gluten. Gluten-free instant portions save you measuring them out; with a larger bag of gluten-free rolled oats, you portion them yourself and need to consider how they should be prepared.
You don’t want to mistake regular oats for oats labelled gluten-free. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre and Erasmus MC recommend checking for a gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol on the packaging if you have coeliac disease.
You can weigh out your own portions and plan the preparation time. Albert Heijn lists a 450 g bag of gluten-free wholegrain oats, which doesn’t come in the individual portions you get with an instant pack.
You don’t want to weigh out oats every time. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Elovena Natural Instant Oatmeal, which is labelled gluten-free, comes in five 40 g sachets.
When buying porridge oats for someone with coeliac disease, first check the current packaging for a gluten-free label. Then compare the portions and how the oats are prepared.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free labelling | Check the packaging for a ‘gluten-free’ label or the Crossed Grain symbol, and read the allergen information. | If I have coeliac disease, I don’t want to mistake regular oats for a gluten-free option. This reassurance is the top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Packaging and portions | Check the net weight and whether the oats are already divided into individual portions. | If I’m making several breakfasts at home, I can weigh out my own portions from a larger bag of gluten-free oats. This packaging choice is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Preparation and convenience | Check whether you just need to add water or milk, or whether the oats need to be cooked. | For breakfast away from home, I want to be able to prepare a measured portion without a pan. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this convenience above all else. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats can be contaminated with gluten during processing. So, if you have coeliac disease, seeing oats as the main ingredient isn’t enough.
Check the current packaging for a gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol, and read the allergen information.
Individual portions and a short preparation time don’t, by themselves, tell you whether a product is labelled gluten-free. For example, Albert Heijn’s product information for Brinta Havermout mentions that it may contain traces of wheat and rye.
First check whether the specific product is labelled gluten-free. Then compare the convenience of instant sachets with loose oats.
Jumbo stated that the Lekker Vrij van Gluten Havermout product we looked at was no longer in its online range. So, a familiar product name doesn’t guarantee you’ll find it for your shopping list.
Check current availability before you shop and, if necessary, choose another clearly labelled gluten-free oat option.
Natural Instant Oatmeal is a gluten-free-labelled option that comes in individual portions.
AH Glutenvrij Volkoren Havermout is a 450 g bag of oats labelled gluten-free.
Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten Havermout is a 450 g bag of oats labelled gluten-free, not instant sachets.
The Brinta Havermout product we looked at is made from oats, but hasn’t been shown to be a gluten-free option for this comparison.
Oats Express Naturel is a regular porridge oat product in portion packs.
Both shops sell regular porridge oats, but these aren’t interchangeable with a specific variety labelled gluten-free.
Don’t assume they are: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats can be contaminated with gluten. For people with coeliac disease, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre and Erasmus MC recommend looking for a gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol on the packaging.
According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, the label ‘gluten-free’ means that a product contains less than 20 mg of gluten per kg. The European Commission refers to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014 for the requirements for this label on food products.
Yes. For Elovena Natural Instant Oatmeal, Albert Heijn says to add and mix in 200 ml of boiling water or milk. Follow the instructions on the packaging for other products; larger rolled oats may need to be prepared differently.
