If you have coeliac disease, only choose organic muesli if the same product is also explicitly labelled ‘gluten-free’ or carries an appropriate gluten-free certification mark. Check the organic designation on the current packaging. If the muesli contains oats, they must also have been produced and processed as gluten-free. Then compare the ingredients and nutritional information according to your preferences.
You’re looking for muesli that is labelled both gluten-free and organic. Ingredients that are naturally gluten-free are not, on their own, a substitute for a gluten-free designation on the product.
You want to check that the oats have been explicitly produced and processed as gluten-free. The Dutch Coeliac Society points out that some people with coeliac disease also react to pure gluten-free oats. If you have symptoms or know you react to oats, discuss this with your healthcare professional.
Once you’ve checked the gluten-free and organic designations, look at sugars, fibre and ingredients such as fruit and nuts. Compare nutritional values on the same basis, for example per 100 g.
Start with the two requirements for this choice: the muesli must be explicitly labelled gluten-free and demonstrably organic. Oats, other allergens and nutritional information can then help you decide which pack best suits your preferences.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free and organic | Look for both designations on the same current product: ‘gluten-free’ or an appropriate certification mark, plus a verifiable organic designation, such as the EU organic logo with a control code. | If I have coeliac disease, I don’t want to have to choose between a gluten-free pack and an organic one; an estimated 46% of consumers prioritise checking both. |
| Oats and allergens | For oat muesli, check the gluten-free designation and read the allergen information if nuts, soya or milk are relevant to you too. | If I’m considering muesli with oats, I want to know whether those particular oats are suitable for me; an estimated 27% of consumers prioritise this question. |
| Nutritional information and taste | Compare total sugars, any added sugars and fibre per 100 g. Also check the ingredients and your usual portion size. | Once I’ve checked both designations, I want to weigh up sugars, fibre and ingredients against my breakfast preferences; an estimated 27% of consumers say this is their main consideration after that. |
Organic certification says nothing about whether a product contains gluten. For example, according to Albert Heijn’s product information, AH Biologisch Krokante muesli naturel contains wheat.
If you have coeliac disease, check the gluten-free designation on the specific pack first, then check the organic designation.
Oats can come into contact with gluten-containing grains during production and processing. The Dutch Coeliac Society also points out that some people with coeliac disease cannot tolerate even pure gluten-free oats.
If you choose oats, look for a product explicitly labelled gluten-free and discuss any symptoms or known reaction with your healthcare professional.
Muesli containing dried fruit can contain sugars even if no sugar has been added. The two designations do not mean the same thing.
Read the ingredients list and compare the total sugars in the nutritional information per 100 g.
Jumbo’s product information says that Leev Bio Muesli Fruit Flakes Glutenvrij is no longer available in its online range. An earlier product listing therefore doesn’t tell you whether you can buy the muesli now.
Check availability before buying and read the designations on the pack you actually choose.
Always check the specific product from each of these brands: an organic variety isn’t automatically gluten-free, and a gluten-free variety isn’t automatically organic.
One option to look at if you’re after organic, gluten-free fruit muesli.
According to Jumbo’s product information, Leev Bio Muesli Fruit Flakes Glutenvrij carries both organic and gluten-free designations.
Albert Heijn’s organic and gluten-free designations appear on different products that were reviewed.
The Brinta Volkoren graanontbijt reviewed is not a suitable alternative to gluten-free muesli for people with coeliac disease.
The Cruesli varieties reviewed are different breakfast products from muesli and don’t offer a gluten-free option for this choice.
No. Organic and gluten-free are separate designations. According to Albert Heijn, AH Biologisch Krokante muesli naturel contains wheat, so always check the gluten-free designation on the specific product.
Under EU Implementing Regulation 828/2014, a food sold to the final consumer may be labelled ‘gluten-free’ if it contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten. For muesli containing oats, look for the designation on the product itself, not just the name of the grain.
Muesli with oats may be an option if the product is explicitly labelled gluten-free and the oats have been produced and processed as gluten-free. The Dutch Coeliac Society points out that some people with coeliac disease also react to pure gluten-free oats; discuss any symptoms with your healthcare professional.
Check the current pack for the EU organic logo, control code and indication of origin. According to the European Commission, the logo may only be used for products certified as organic by an authorised control body.
Use the online description to compare products, but check the current packaging when you buy. Ingredients, allergen information and nutritional values can change, so for this choice pay particular attention to the gluten-free and organic designations on the pack you purchase.
