If you have coeliac disease, check the current packaging to see whether the oatmeal is labelled gluten-free. The Dutch Coeliac Association recommends choosing a product with the Crossed Grain symbol. Labels such as ‘100% oats’, ‘wholegrain’ and ‘organic’ are no substitute for this check. Only then should you compare plain flakes, mixes and whether the exact variety is available.
You want to check that the exact oatmeal variety is gluten-free before comparing its flavour, brand or pack size. For oats, the Dutch Coeliac Association recommends choosing a product with the Crossed Grain symbol.
You’re looking for gluten-free flakes to use in porridge, overnight oats, smoothies or baking, and want to compare the ingredients and nutritional information of different varieties.
You’re comparing own-brand and other varieties, but also want to know whether the oatmeal you have in mind is actually available. A familiar brand name or a standard oatmeal variety is not, in itself, confirmation of a gluten-free claim.
Start by checking the gluten-free status of the exact product. Then check whether it’s available and whether its ingredients are suitable for what you want to make.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free status | Read the gluten-free claim on the current packaging and check whether this variety carries the Crossed Grain symbol. ‘100% oats’ is no substitute for this check. | If I’m buying for someone with coeliac disease, I first want to know whether this particular oatmeal is labelled gluten-free. An estimated 50% of consumers put this check first. |
| Availability | Check whether the exact variety is available at your shop or in your delivery area. If needed, have a second option that you’ve checked in mind. | For a regular breakfast, I don’t want to rely on one variety that may no longer be available to order. For around 30% of consumers, reliable availability is the next most important question. |
| Ingredients and how you’ll use it | Compare plain flakes and mixes by checking the ingredients list, and read the preparation instructions for your chosen variety. | I want to know whether I’m buying a plain base for different recipes or a mix with added ingredients. For roughly 20% of consumers, the type of product matters most after checking its gluten-free status. |
According to the Dutch Coeliac Association, oats can come into contact with gluten-containing grains during production and processing. Wholegrain or organic says nothing about the gluten-free status of the exact variety.
Check the gluten-free claim on the packaging first, then compare the other features.
Gluten-free status applies to a specific variety, not automatically to every product from a brand. For example, Quaker says its Oatmeal Original may contain barley and wheat.
Check that the full product name matches the pack you’re buying, and read its allergen information.
A product page may remain online even when the product can no longer be ordered. Jumbo listed its own gluten-free oatmeal as no longer available in its online range, while Lidl reported that additional gluten-free products were temporarily unavailable.
Check availability at your shop or in your delivery area shortly before buying, and check any alternative against its own packaging.
Albert Heijn warns that product, ingredient and allergen information can change. So buying a product before doesn’t mean you can skip reading the current label.
When you buy a new pack, check the gluten-free claim, ingredients and allergen information again.
Check the exact oatmeal variety for each brand. A gluten-free claim or warning on one product doesn’t automatically apply to another.
Albert Heijn lists a 450 g pack of gluten-free wholegrain oatmeal as a plain base for porridge, baking and more.
Jumbo lists a 450 g gluten-free oatmeal variety bearing the Crossed Grain symbol.
The variety listed is a 450 g pack of organic, gluten-free wholegrain oatmeal.
The gluten-free organic oatmeal listed is a mix containing linseed, chia and puffed quinoa, rather than plain oat flakes.
Quaker Oatmeal Original is a standard wholegrain oatmeal variety, not a confirmed gluten-free choice for this purchase.
No, ordinary oatmeal isn’t automatically a suitable choice. According to the Dutch Coeliac Association, oats can come into contact with gluten-containing grains during production. So check the gluten-free claim for the exact variety on the current packaging.
European Commission Implementing Regulation 828/2014 allows products to be labelled ‘gluten-free’ if they contain no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten. Oats labelled this way must also meet requirements for production, preparation or processing to prevent contamination with wheat, rye and barley.
Use the product page to find a variety, but check the current packaging when you buy it. Albert Heijn, for example, points out that ingredient and allergen information can change.
That depends on the exact variety, not the shop or brand name. Quaker says its Oatmeal Original may contain barley and wheat. If you’re buying oatmeal for someone with coeliac disease, look for a gluten-free claim on the packaging of the product you’re actually buying.
