Families who eat oats every day
A larger pack suits parents who use oats for several breakfasts, overnight oats or baking. Check how many portions the pack makes and whether you can keep the contents dry and well sealed after opening.
Who is each type of pack for?
Families with concerns about gluten safety
Regular oats are not automatically suitable for a child with coeliac disease. Voedingscentrum recommends looking for the official Crossed Grain certification mark on oat products for people with coeliac disease; also check the latest label and any arrangements with the school.
Parents with busy school mornings
If you mainly want to prepare a measured portion of breakfast quickly, individual portion packs may be worth considering. Quaker offers Oats Express Naturel in individual portions, but you still need to check the ingredients and allergen information.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether a gluten restriction limits your choice of product. Then choose a pack size and type of oat flake or portion that suit how often your family eats oats and how much time you have in the morning.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and usage | Compare the pack size and stated portion size. Check whether you can store an opened pack somewhere dry and keep it sealed. | If we eat oats often and use them in baking too, I want a pack we’ll actually finish. For around 46% of consumers, having a practical supply for the family comes first. |
| Gluten and allergens | Read the gluten-free claim, the latest label and any warnings about other grains; if you have coeliac disease, also check for the Crossed Grain certification mark. | If my child has a gluten restriction, I need to know before packing it whether this particular product fits the arrangements we’ve made. Gluten and allergen information is the main concern for around 27% of consumers. |
| Convenience in the morning | Check whether the pack contains loose oats or pre-measured portions, and follow the preparation instructions for the product you choose. | On a busy school morning, I don’t want to have to measure out a portion every time. This convenience is the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming all oats are gluten-free and suitable for school
According to Voedingscentrum, regular oat products may be unsuitable for people with coeliac disease because of gluten contamination. Whether food can be taken to school also depends on the school’s policy.
If you have coeliac disease, check that the pack explicitly says gluten-free and carries the official Crossed Grain certification mark. Read the latest label and make sure food taken to school complies with the arrangements agreed with the school.
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Assuming individual portion packs are allergen-free
A pre-measured portion tells you nothing about the allergens in its contents. For example, the Quaker Oats Express Naturel variant reviewed lists possible traces of soya, barley and wheat.
Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variant. Choose individual portions for easier measuring and preparation, not as a substitute for a gluten-free claim.
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Buying a large pack without a plan for using and storing it
A family-size pack is most practical when you use the contents regularly and can store the opened pack properly.
Before buying, think about which breakfasts or baking recipes you’ll use the oats for. Once opened, follow the storage advice on the packaging and seal the pack well.
Brands to consider
The packs listed here offer different options: larger packs, individual portions and explicitly gluten-free varieties. Always assess the exact variant and its label, not just the brand name.
Jumbo
Jumbo sells fine and coarse oats under its own name, including a larger pack of fine wholegrain flakes.
- Jumbo states that its fine wholegrain value pack contains 1 kg and provides 25 portions of 40 g.
- The regular variety lists oats as a gluten-containing grain and may contain barley, rye and wheat. If you have a gluten restriction, check the exact pack.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn sells regular fine wholegrain oats as well as a separate gluten-free wholegrain variety.
- The regular fine flakes come in a 500 g pack; the separate gluten-free variety contains 450 g.
- The regular variety lists gluten-containing grains and may contain barley, spelt, rye and wheat. A gluten-free claim on one variety does not apply to another.
Brinta
The Brinta Havermout product reviewed contains extra-fine flakes for hot porridge; the product description says it is quick to prepare.
- The product information describes the variant reviewed as 100% oat flakes.
- This variant lists gluten-containing grains and oats, and may contain rye and wheat. Fine flakes do not make a product gluten-free.
Quaker
Alongside regular oats, Quaker has an Oats Express range with pre-measured portions.
- Quaker describes Oats Express Naturel as a pack containing 12 individual portions.
- The Naturel variety reviewed may contain soya, barley and wheat. Check the allergen information for the exact product.
Golden Bridge / ALDI
ALDI sells fine and coarse wholegrain oats under the Golden Bridge name.
- ALDI offers fine or coarse wholegrain oats in a 1 kg pack, as well as a 500 g pack of coarse oats.
- Check the ingredients and allergen information on the label of the pack you choose, especially if you have a gluten restriction.
Oats at Joybuy
These Quaker packs are options for family breakfasts: one Express pack for anyone looking for pre-measured portions, and two packs of regular oats in different sizes. If you have a gluten restriction, check the latest label; none of these packs is presented here as gluten-free.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g
An option for school mornings when pre-measured portions come in handy. The pack contains 324 g, so it isn’t a large pack for stocking up.
This variant lists gluten-containing grains and may contain traces of soya, barley and wheat. Check the latest label if allergens are a concern.
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Quaker Oatmeal 600 g
For a family that wants to use regular oats for several breakfasts. This pack contains 600 g; decide whether that suits how often you make oats.
This variant lists gluten-containing grains and may contain barley and wheat. If you have a gluten restriction, check the latest label.
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Quaker Oatmeal 375 g
A smaller pack of regular oats for anyone who would rather not store as much at once. This pack contains 375 g.
This variant lists gluten-containing grains and may contain barley and wheat. Read the latest label before using the oats for someone with a gluten restriction.
Frequently asked questions
Are regular oats suitable for a child with coeliac disease?
Regular oats are not automatically suitable for someone with coeliac disease. Voedingscentrum points out that oat products may be unsuitable because of gluten contamination, and says that the official Crossed Grain certification mark is required on oat products for people with coeliac disease. So check that the chosen product is explicitly labelled gluten-free, carries the certification mark and has an up-to-date label.
Which allergens should I check if I’m sending oats to school?
Check the allergen information for the oats and all the other ingredients you use. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that gluten-containing grains must be listed on the label by the name of the grain. Also read any product-specific warnings about possible allergens and ask what arrangements the school has in place for the child concerned.
How should I store a large pack of oats once it’s opened?
Store the pack according to the instructions on the packaging and seal it well after use. The Jumbo and Albert Heijn packs reviewed recommend a cool, dark and dry place; if the advice differs, follow the label on your own pack.
Can I use oats from a large pack in biscuits for the biscuit tin?
Yes, oats can be used in biscuits and other bakes, but they aren’t a ready-to-eat snack on their own. Check the ingredients and allergens in the full recipe, not just those in the oats, and bear the school’s policy in mind if you’re sending the biscuits in.