Who are these flakes for?

Older shoppers who enjoy flakes with their afternoon coffee

You want something simple to prepare, such as flakes in yoghurt or as porridge, and would like to compare wholegrain products and fibre content on the label.

Shoppers who choose organic products carefully

You want to check the organic label on the packaging and see what ingredients the product contains.

Shoppers who need to check gluten and allergens

You check the ingredients, allergen information and any warnings about traces. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ordinary oats are not necessarily suitable if you have coeliac disease.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide which cereal flakes you want to prepare and whether gluten or other allergens affect your choice. Then compare the organic label, ingredients and nutritional information on each pack.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Organic certification and ingredients Check for the EU organic logo and read the ingredients list. For prepacked organic food from the EU, also look for the code of the inspection body and the country of origin. I want to know whether my cereal flakes are genuinely organic and what they contain. For around 42% of consumers, being able to verify the organic origin is the top priority.
Wholegrain, fibre and preparation Compare the wholegrain claim and fibre content per 100 g or per portion. Check whether the preparation instructions suit yoghurt or porridge. If I want to eat flakes with my afternoon coffee, I look for a preparation that fits my routine and want to be able to compare fibre content. Fibre and preparation are the first consideration for around 33% of consumers.
Gluten and allergens Read the ingredients, allergen information and warnings about traces. If you have coeliac disease, check the pack for the official Crossed Grain logo when buying oats. If I need to avoid gluten or another allergen, the information on the specific pack needs to match my dietary requirements. For around 25% of consumers, suitability is the most important factor.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming chocolate flakes and cereal flakes are the same thing

    In Dutch supermarkets, the word for flakes can also refer to chocolate sprinkles for bread. These are different from cereal flakes for yoghurt, porridge or muesli.

    Search for the grain you want, such as organic oat flakes or spelt flakes, and check the product category and ingredients.

  • Assuming organic means gluten-free

    Organic labelling relates to how a product is made, not whether it is suitable for someone with coeliac disease or a food allergy. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that oat products may be contaminated with gluten.

    Read the latest allergen information and warnings about traces. If you have coeliac disease, check for the official Crossed Grain logo when buying oats.

  • Judging fibre content by the look of the packaging

    Words and pictures on the front of the pack do not tell you how much fibre the product or the portion you want to compare contains.

    Check the wholegrain claim, ingredients and nutritional information, including fibre per 100 g or per portion.

Brands to consider

AH Biologisch

Albert Heijn lists fine and jumbo oat flakes, as well as wholegrain spelt flakes, under its AH Biologisch range. This gives you a chance to compare different grains and types of flakes.

  • Products made with both oats and spelt are listed.
  • Check the current packaging for ingredients, nutritional information and allergens, as product information can change.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists organic wholegrain oat and spelt flakes under its own label, for preparations such as porridge or muesli.

  • Jumbo says no other ingredients are added to its organic wholegrain oat flakes.
  • Check the ingredients and allergens on each pack. The description of the oat flakes does not necessarily apply to the spelt variety.

Smaakt

Smaakt lists organic oat, rye, buckwheat and four-grain flakes, among other products. The type of grain is a useful starting point when choosing what to make.

  • Smaakt publishes ingredients for individual products, including oat and four-grain flakes.
  • If you need to avoid gluten or other allergens, always check the specific pack, especially when it contains a mix of grains.

CROWNFIELD

Lidl lists CROWNFIELD organic oat flakes. They are an oat option to consider if you shop there.

  • The product listing describes them as organic oat flakes.
  • Before comparing this variety, check the packaging for the organic label, ingredients, nutritional information and allergens.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I identify organic cereal flakes on the packaging?

Check for the EU organic logo. According to the European Commission, this logo is compulsory for most prepacked organic food produced in the EU. Also look for the inspection body’s code and the origin of the agricultural raw materials. Read the ingredients too, as organic labelling does not tell you which grains or other ingredients the pack contains.

Are organic oat flakes suitable if you have coeliac disease?

Not necessarily: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oat products may be contaminated with gluten. The Centre says that oats bearing the official Crossed Grain logo on the pack are an exception for people with coeliac disease. Always check the label on the specific product.

How should I store opened oat flakes?

Store oat flakes in a cool, dry, dark place in a well-sealed container, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Follow the instructions on the packaging too.

Are chocolate flakes the same as organic cereal flakes?

No. In Dutch supermarkets, chocolate flakes may also be sold under the same general term for flakes, but they are a sweet bread topping. For yoghurt, porridge or muesli, look specifically for cereal flakes and check the ingredients of the variety you choose.