Choose plain organic oats if you want oats and nothing else, and an easy way to compare salt levels. Look for the EU organic logo on the packaging and compare the nutritional information per 100 g: organic certification alone tells you nothing about salt. A protein mix is only suitable if its extra ingredients and nutritional values match what you’re looking for.
You want more reassurance than just the word ‘organic’ on the front of the pack. For pre-packed products, the EU organic logo, the code of the inspection body and the indication of origin can help you check the organic claim.
You use oats for porridge or a savoury dish and want to compare products on a like-for-like basis. Check the salt per 100 g; any other ingredients you add during preparation also contribute to the nutritional value of the finished meal.
You prefer a particular porridge texture or are considering a mix with extra protein. If so, check the ingredients list too: a mix containing spelt and soya is different from oats made with oats alone.
First check the organic claim, then compare salt per 100 g and decide whether you want plain oat flakes or a mix of ingredients.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Organic claim | Look for the EU organic logo, the code of the inspection body and the indication of origin on the packaging. | I want to be able to check what the organic claim on my oats is based on, rather than relying on the product name alone. For around 46% of consumers, this ability to verify the claim is their top priority when buying. |
| Salt and ingredients | Compare the ‘salt’ entry per 100 g and check whether the product contains only oat flakes. | When I use oats in different dishes, I want to know how much salt the product itself contains and what else is in it. This is the top priority for around 36% of consumers when choosing. |
| Type of flakes or mix | Check the type of flakes and, for a protein mix, read the full ingredients and allergen information. | Once the organic claim and salt level suit me, I prefer to choose based on the texture or ingredients I want. This preference is the deciding factor for around 18% of consumers. |
The EU organic logo relates to organic production, not the salt content of oats.
Check the organic claim, then separately read the ‘salt’ entry in the nutritional information per 100 g.
Albert Heijn states that AH Organic Oats contain 0 g of added salt per 100 g, but the nutritional information also lists 0.03 g of salt per 100 g.
For product comparisons, always use the total salt content per 100 g. Treat the statement about added salt as additional information about the ingredients.
Jumbo describes Zonnatura Oats & Spelt Protein as also containing spelt and soya. It is therefore not made from oat flakes alone.
Read the full ingredients list before buying, and choose plain oats if you’re looking for oats and nothing else.
Ingredients and nutritional information may change when a product is updated, so they may differ from an older description you have seen.
Check the current packaging for the salt level, ingredients, allergen information and organic claim.
AH Organic Oats is a 450 g wholegrain organic variety described by the brand.
Jumbo describes its 500 g Organic Wholegrain Oats as being made from organic oat flakes alone.
Zonnatura offers both organic wholegrain oats and an organic oat mix with spelt and soya.
Lidl describes CROWNFIELD Organic Oats as a 500 g pack sold in its stores.
This selection features a Zonnatura wholegrain variety for people who want to assess organic oats and the stated salt content per 100 g.
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An option if you’re looking for wholegrain oats and want to compare products by their salt content.
For the equivalent 500 g Zonnatura variety, Jumbo lists 0.02 g of salt and 11 g of protein per 100 g. Check the packaging for the ingredients and allergen information, as well as the EU organic logo, inspection code and indication of origin.
For pre-packed organic oats, look for the EU organic logo, the code of the inspection body and the indication of origin for the agricultural ingredients. According to the European Commission, the logo can only be used on products certified as organic by an authorised inspection body.
No. The organic claim doesn’t tell you how much salt a particular product contains. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g: for example, Jumbo lists 0.02 g of salt per 100 g for Zonnatura Organic Wholegrain Oats, while Albert Heijn lists 0.03 g per 100 g for AH Organic Oats. Anything you add during preparation also counts towards the salt in your meal.
No. A protein mix may contain ingredients other than oats. Jumbo describes Zonnatura Oats & Spelt Protein as a mix with spelt and soya. Check the ingredients and allergen information if you’re looking for oats alone or want to avoid certain ingredients.
Follow the storage instructions on your product’s packaging and seal it tightly after use. Albert Heijn recommends storing its described organic oats in a cool, dark and dry place; for the Zonnatura variety described, Jumbo advises keeping it dry and sealed.
