Looking for both labels
You’re looking for breakfast flakes with both a recognisable gluten-free label and organic certification. For you, neither requirement is a substitute for the other.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Checking allergen information
You don’t want to rely on an ingredient such as maize alone. You check the current packaging for a gluten-free label and warnings about cereals containing gluten.
Comparing nutritional information
Once you’ve checked that a product is gluten-free and organically certified, compare sugars, salt and fibre per 100 g and per serving. If you have another allergy, check the other allergen information too.
What should you look for when choosing?
When choosing breakfast flakes for someone with coeliac disease, check the gluten-free label first, then the organic certification, and finally the nutritional information.
| What to check | What to look for when buying | Most relevant to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free status | Look for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain trademark on the current packaging, and read any warnings about cereals containing gluten. | When I buy flakes for someone with coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on the main ingredient alone. This check comes first for an estimated 50% of consumers. |
| Organic certification | Check for the EU organic logo, along with the control body and country-of-origin details. | Even when I’ve found a gluten-free option, I want to be able to check whether it’s organically certified. For around 30% of consumers, this is the next most important selection criterion. |
| Nutritional information and allergens | Compare sugars, salt and fibre per 100 g and per serving; if you have other allergies, check the allergen information too. | Once both labels check out, I want to weigh up the differences between the products left. This comparison is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming organic means gluten-free
Organic certification does not rule out cereals containing gluten. For example, Jumbo’s product information for Smaakt Bio Cornflakes Ongezoet says that the product may contain cereals containing gluten.
If you have coeliac disease, first check for a separate gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain trademark.
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Relying on maize as the main ingredient
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, cereals and processed cereal products can still contain gluten through contact with cereals containing gluten.
If you have coeliac disease, don’t choose cornflakes based on the main ingredient alone; check the current packaging.
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Relying on a label you read previously
Ingredients and allergen information can change. A previous choice of product is no substitute for checking the packaging you’re buying now.
Check the labels and allergen information again, even for a product you already know.
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Not comparing products after checking the label
Even products that meet your requirements can differ in their nutritional information and other allergens.
Compare the information per 100 g and per serving, and check for any other allergens that are relevant to you.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn has organic and gluten-free product ranges. According to its own product information, AH Biologisch Cornflakes carries both labels.
- Albert Heijn also lists the EU organic logo and Skal 001920 for AH Biologisch Cornflakes.
- Check the packaging when you buy it: Albert Heijn says that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s product information gives examples of how to assess organic cornflakes and cornflakes labelled gluten-free as separate choices.
- Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten Cornflakes was described as having a gluten-free label and the Crossed Grain trademark.
- A gluten-free label does not, by itself, confirm organic certification; check both requirements for each product.
Smaakt
Jumbo’s product information describes Smaakt Bio Cornflakes Ongezoet as organic.
- The product information lists maize from organic sources and the European organic logo.
- The same information warns that the product may contain cereals containing gluten. If you have coeliac disease, don’t choose this variety on the basis of its organic certification.
Related products at Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is organic certification enough when buying cornflakes for someone with coeliac disease?
No. Organic certification says nothing about whether a product contains gluten. Also look for ‘gluten-free’ on the current packaging or the Crossed Grain trademark, as advised by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
Are cornflakes automatically gluten-free because they’re made from maize?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, cereal products can come into contact with gluten during processing. So check for a gluten-free label rather than relying on the ingredient name alone.
How can you identify organic certification on a prepacked product?
Look for the EU organic logo and the accompanying details of the control body and country of origin. According to the European Commission, the logo may only be used on products that are certified organic; it does not replace a check for gluten-free status.
Should you check the packaging again if you’ve bought the same flakes before?
Yes. Ingredients and allergen information can change. So even for a product you know well, check the current packaging before using it for someone with coeliac disease.