Who might find these options useful?

If you want to buy organic and gluten-free

You’re looking for breakfast flakes with both labels on the packaging. An organic certification mark alone doesn’t tell you whether a product is gluten-free.

If you’re mainly looking for gluten-free breakfast flakes

Check the gluten-free label first, then choose based on the ingredients, flake size and preparation method. Organic certification isn’t a requirement for you.

If oats cause you symptoms

Even if you’ve chosen gluten-free oats, it’s worth discussing your symptoms with a doctor or specialist dietitian. A certified gluten-free product without oats may be an option.

What should you look for when choosing?

When choosing oat flakes for someone with coeliac disease, check the gluten-free label first. Then compare organic certification, ingredients and how you want to prepare them.

What to look for What to check when buying Who it matters to
Gluten-free labelling Look for ‘gluten-free’ or a gluten-free certification mark on the packaging, and read the allergen information. If I’m buying oats for someone with coeliac disease, I want to be sure the product is labelled gluten-free. Around 50% of consumers put this check first.
Organic certification and ingredients Check for organic labelling and compare plain oat flakes with mixes by looking at their ingredients. I want to buy both organic and gluten-free, and I like to know at a glance what’s in my breakfast. Around 30% of consumers prioritise this combination.
Texture and choice of oats Check whether the flakes are coarse or fine and follow the preparation instructions. If oats cause symptoms, discuss this with a doctor or specialist dietitian. Texture makes a difference to my breakfast, or I want to know whether I’d be better off choosing something without oats if I have symptoms. This is the first consideration for around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘organic’ means ‘gluten-free’

    Organic certification and gluten-free labelling mean different things. For example, Jumbo states that its Organic Wholegrain Oat Flakes may contain wheat, rye and barley, among other things.

    If you have coeliac disease, check the gluten-free label and allergen information first. Only then check whether the product is also organic.

  • Assuming regular oats are the same as gluten-free oats

    According to the Dutch Coeliac Association, oats can come into contact with gluten during production. The association recommends choosing oats with the Crossed Grain certification mark.

    Don’t assume that regular organic oat flakes are a gluten-free alternative; check the labelling on the pack you’re buying.

  • Simply switching oat brands if you have symptoms

    Changing brands won’t necessarily change how you react to oats.

    Talk to your doctor or specialist dietitian about symptoms after eating gluten-free oats before deciding which breakfast flakes to keep eating.

Brands to consider

Consenza

For anyone looking for organic and gluten-free wholegrain oat flakes.

  • PLUS lists both ‘Organic’ and ‘Gluten-free’ for Consenza Gluten-free Wholegrain Oat Flakes.
  • Check the labels again on the pack you buy.

Leev

For anyone comparing coarse oat flakes with organic and gluten-free labelling.

  • Albert Heijn describes Leev Superieur coarse gluten-free oat flakes as organic and gluten-free, and lists 100% gluten-free oat flakes as an ingredient.
  • The coarse variety isn’t the same product as fine porridge oats, so check which texture and preparation method you’re looking for.

Albert Heijn Glutenvrij

For anyone looking for gluten-free wholegrain oat flakes without requiring them to be organic.

  • Albert Heijn states that AH Gluten-free Wholegrain Oat Flakes are made in a completely gluten-free environment.
  • Check the packaging separately if you also want organic certification.

Zonnatura

For anyone comparing a breakfast product containing gluten-free oats and other ingredients with plain oat flakes.

  • Albert Heijn lists gluten-free wholegrain oat flakes from organic farming among the ingredients in Zonnatura Gluten-free Multiseed Porridge Oats.
  • For a mix, read the full ingredients and allergen information, not just the label on the oats.

Jumbo

An example of why you shouldn’t automatically assume organic oat flakes are gluten-free.

  • Jumbo Organic Wholegrain Oat Flakes carry an organic label.
  • Jumbo states that this specific product may contain wheat, rye and barley, among other things. If you have coeliac disease, don’t choose it based on the organic label alone.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are organic oat flakes automatically gluten-free?

No. The EU organic logo relates to organic certification, not gluten-free labelling. If you have coeliac disease and want to buy organic and gluten-free, check both separately.

What does ‘gluten-free’ mean on a prepacked product?

Under EU Regulation 828/2014, a product may be labelled ‘gluten-free’ if it contains no more than 20 mg of gluten per kg as sold to the final consumer. This rule also applies in the Netherlands.

What if I have symptoms after eating gluten-free oats?

Discuss your symptoms with your doctor or specialist dietitian, even if you’ve chosen oats labelled gluten-free. They can talk to you about whether a certified gluten-free breakfast product without oats might be suitable.

Should I check the packaging if I’ve looked at the product online?

Yes. Check the gluten-free label, ingredients and allergen information on the pack you receive. That way, you can make your choice based on the information for the product you’ll actually be using.