If you compare sugar claims on labels
You’re looking for oats with no added sugar, or you have the stricter requirement that a product can be described as sugar-free. The ingredients list and the ‘of which sugars’ figure answer different questions.
Who is this choice relevant to?
If you eat oats regularly
You often make porridge, overnight oats or bakes, and want to choose a pack size that suits how much you use and the cool, dry, dark and airtight storage space you have available.
If you have dietary or origin requirements
For example, you may be looking for oats with the official Crossed Grain trademark because you have coeliac disease, or you may prefer an organic option. According to the Voedingscentrum, organic origin does not replace checking that a product is suitable for a gluten-free diet.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to avoid added sugars or are looking for a product labelled ‘sugar-free’. Then choose a pack size and preparation method to suit the way you use it, and check any dietary requirements separately.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this most important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar claim and ingredients | Read the ingredients list and the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the limit for the ‘sugar-free’ claim is no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. | If I want to avoid added sugars, I also want to know whether the product meets a strict sugar-free requirement. Around 36% of consumers prioritise checking this on the label. |
| Pack size and storage | Choose an amount that suits how much you use and that you can store in a cool, dry, dark place in an airtight container once opened, as advised by the Voedingscentrum. | If I use oats regularly, I want to have enough in the cupboard without leaving an opened pack unprotected; for around 29% of consumers, managing their supplies is the main consideration. |
| Quick preparation | Check the preparation instructions and whether it’s a plain variant or a mix containing other ingredients. | On busy mornings, I want a measured portion that takes little preparation. Quick preparation is the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Gluten-free or organic | If you have coeliac disease, check for the official Crossed Grain trademark on the pack, as advised by the Voedingscentrum. Check the organic status separately for the exact variant. | If a dietary requirement or organic origin determines my choice, I can’t tell from the word ‘oats’ alone; around 14% of consumers prioritise this requirement. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘no added sugar’ means ‘sugar-free’
Oats can contain naturally occurring sugars even when no sugar has been added. The variants listed by Jumbo with 0.7 g, 1 g and 1.2 g of sugars per 100 g, and the Quaker pack listed by Joybuy with 1.1 g per 100 g, are all above the limit for the ‘sugar-free’ claim under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
Decide which of the two requirements matters to you, then check the nutritional information per 100 g on the pack you choose.
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Assuming ordinary oats are automatically gluten-free
According to the Voedingscentrum, oat products can be contaminated with gluten. A short ingredients list or an organic label therefore doesn’t confirm that oats are suitable for someone with coeliac disease.
If you have coeliac disease, check that the pack carries the official Crossed Grain trademark.
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Opening a large pack without having an airtight container
A large pack is only useful as a store-cupboard staple after opening if you can protect its contents from moisture and pests.
Store opened oats in a cool, dry, dark place in an airtight container, following the Voedingscentrum’s storage advice. Also check the best-before date and the condition of the product.
Brands to consider
These brands offer different types of oats that you can compare by label and intended use; a brand name alone tells you nothing about the sugar content or whether a particular pack is suitable for a gluten-free diet.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers, among other options, a 1 kg pack of wholegrain oats and a 500 g organic variant.
- According to Jumbo, the 1 kg pack of fine wholegrain rolled oats contains only wholegrain rolled oats as an ingredient.
- Jumbo lists 0.7 g of sugars per 100 g for that variant and 1.2 g per 100 g for the organic variant. Neither figure meets the limit for the ‘sugar-free’ claim under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
Quaker
Quaker offers regular wholegrain oats and Oats Express Naturel for quick, measured preparation.
- According to Jumbo’s product information, Oats Express Naturel contains no added sugar and takes two minutes to prepare.
- Jumbo lists 1 g of sugars per 100 g for Oats Express Naturel; Joybuy’s product information lists 1.1 g per 100 g for Quaker Oatmeal 600 g. These figures do not meet the sugar-free limit under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
Brinta
According to the product information at Albert Heijn, Brinta Oatmeal is made from fine rolled oats.
- The ingredients list for Brinta Oatmeal 450 g at Albert Heijn names only rolled oats.
- That product information warns that traces of wheat and rye may be present; if you need a gluten-free product, don’t rely on the ingredients list alone.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn has own-brand options made with fine wholegrain rolled oats, as well as organic oats.
- You can compare the ingredients and nutritional information for each variant to choose an oat base that suits you.
- Albert Heijn points out that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change. So check the pack when you buy it, especially if a sugar claim or allergen is important to you.
Oats on Joybuy
These Quaker packs are suitable if you want to stock up on plain oats: 324 g Express Oatmeal for measured portions and Oatmeal in 600 g and 375 g packs. Check the label on the variant you choose if a sugar claim or dietary requirement is a deciding factor.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g
Suitable if you want to prepare a measured portion of oats quickly. According to Jumbo’s product information, Oats Express Naturel contains no added sugar, but does contain 1 g of sugars per 100 g; this means it doesn’t meet the ‘sugar-free’ limit under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
If you need a gluten-free product, check the trademark and allergen information on the pack.
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Quaker Oatmeal 600 g
A pack for anyone who eats plain oats regularly. Joybuy’s product information describes Quaker Oatmeal 600 g as having no added sugar and lists 1.1 g of sugars per 100 g; this is above the ‘sugar-free’ limit under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
Seal the pack well after opening. If you have coeliac disease, check that the pack carries the official Crossed Grain trademark.
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Quaker Oatmeal 375 g
This 375 g pack is a good fit if you’d rather keep a smaller amount of oats in your store cupboard at a time.
If you’re choosing based on sugar content, read the nutritional information per 100 g for this variant. If you have a dietary requirement, also check the allergen information and any trademarks on the pack.
Frequently asked questions
Are oats with no added sugar also sugar-free?
No. Oats with no added sugar can still contain naturally occurring sugars. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, a solid food may only carry the ‘sugar-free’ claim if it contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. For example, Jumbo lists 1 g of sugars per 100 g for Quaker Oats Express Naturel, despite it having no added sugar.
What pack size should I choose for my store cupboard?
Choose an amount that you use regularly and can store in an airtight container once opened. A large pack may suit frequent use, while a smaller pack means less is open at one time. The Voedingscentrum advises storing oats in a cool, dry, dark place in an airtight container.
How should I store opened oats?
Store opened oats in a cool, dry, dark place in an airtight container, as advised by the Voedingscentrum. Before using them, check the best-before date and make sure the oats still smell and feel normal.
Are ordinary oats suitable for people with coeliac disease?
Ordinary oats are not automatically suitable for people with coeliac disease, as oat products can be contaminated with gluten, according to the Voedingscentrum. The Voedingscentrum says suitable oat products must carry the official Crossed Grain trademark on the pack.
Are organic oats automatically sugar-free or gluten-free?
No. Organic origin confirms neither of these qualities. Jumbo lists 1.2 g of sugars per 100 g for its organic wholegrain oats, which is above the ‘sugar-free’ limit under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. To check whether a product is suitable for a gluten-free diet, look for the trademark on the pack separately, as advised by the Voedingscentrum.