Who is this relevant to?

If you’re looking for organic breakfast oats

You want organic wholegrain oat flakes for porridge or overnight oats, and you choose what to add yourself. Check the packaging for the organic designation, ingredients and nutritional information.

If you compare fibre per serving

You compare porridge oats and oat bran by the fibre listed per 100 g, as well as by the amount you use. Take the different texture and uses of oat bran into account when making your choice.

If you need to watch your gluten intake

You can’t tell whether a product is suitable for coeliac disease just from the words ‘organic’ or ‘oats’. The Voedingscentrum advises choosing oats with the official Crossed Grain symbol on the packaging.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether organic production, fibre, a simple base or suitability for people concerned about gluten is your priority. Then compare the current packaging of products that meet your needs.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Organic designation Check the packaging for the organic designation, the EU organic logo and the control code. If organic production is a must for me, I want to be able to identify that designation on the product. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this.
Fibre per serving Compare fibre per 100 g and calculate the amount in the serving you use; also note the difference between oat flakes and oat bran. I want to know how much fibre is in my usual bowl of breakfast oats. This is the most important factor for around 36% of consumers.
A simple breakfast base Read the ingredients list and choose fine or jumbo oats according to what you want to make. I want to choose what to add to my porridge or overnight oats, so I’m looking for a simple base. Around 21% of consumers prioritise this.
Suitability if you’re concerned about gluten Check the allergen information; if you have coeliac disease, look specifically for the official Crossed Grain symbol. If I need to avoid gluten because of coeliac disease, the packaging must confirm that the product is a suitable choice. This is the main concern for around 14% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Relying on a fibre claim alone

    A claim on the front of the pack doesn’t tell you how much fibre is in your serving. The Consumentenbond also points out that a fibre claim doesn’t give you the full picture of a product’s composition.

    Read the nutritional information per 100 g, calculate the amount in your serving, and check the ingredients and sugars too.

  • Assuming organic means gluten-free

    Organic production doesn’t remove the risk of contact with gluten-containing grains. According to the Voedingscentrum, people with coeliac disease need to look for the official Crossed Grain symbol on the packaging.

    If you have coeliac disease, check for that symbol and read the latest allergen information. Don’t rely on the product name alone.

  • Treating oat bran like regular oat flakes

    The Smaakt oat bran reviewed here lists 15 g of fibre per 100 g, compared with 10 g per 100 g for the AH Biologisch fine oat flakes reviewed here. That difference doesn’t make oat bran a like-for-like substitute in terms of texture.

    Choose oat flakes if you want to make porridge with them; consider oat bran if you’re looking for an ingredient to mix into something else.

Brands to consider

AH Biologisch

Albert Heijn offers organic wholegrain oat flakes in fine and jumbo varieties.

  • The fine variety reviewed lists wholegrain oats and 10 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • Check the allergen information for each variety; organic certification doesn’t confirm suitability for coeliac disease.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers both organic wholegrain porridge oats and a non-organic variety with jumbo oats, which was also reviewed.

  • The organic variety reviewed lists 12 g of fibre per 100 g; the jumbo variety reviewed lists 10 g per 100 g.
  • Make sure you’re comparing the right variety and check the allergen information on the packaging.

Quaker

The multipack reviewed is an option if you’re looking for wholegrain porridge oats and organic certification isn’t a requirement.

  • Product information from Albert Heijn describes it as 100% wholegrain porridge oats.
  • According to that product information, the oats may contain barley and wheat.

Smaakt

The organic oat bran reviewed is intended for a different use from regular oat flakes.

  • Product information from Albert Heijn lists 15 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • Oat bran has a different texture; check the allergen information on the packaging too.

Crownfield

Lidl lists Crownfield Organic porridge oats in a 500 g pack.

  • Lidl states that this product is available in store only.
  • Compare the fibre, ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging.

Oats on Joybuy

These oats suit anyone looking for wholegrain oat flakes as a breakfast base. Check the current packaging for the organic designation, nutritional information and allergen details if these are important to you.

Zonnatura Organic Whole Wheat Oatmeal, 500 g

Zonnatura organic wholegrain porridge oats, 500 g

For anyone looking for wholegrain oat flakes as a breakfast base. Check the EU organic logo and control code on the current packaging; if you have coeliac disease, look specifically for the official Crossed Grain symbol.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

How can I identify organic porridge oats?

Check the packaging for the organic designation, the EU organic logo and the control code. The European rules on organic production and labelling are set out in Regulation (EU) 2018/848, which has applied since 1 January 2022.

Are organic porridge oats also gluten-free?

No. The organic designation doesn’t indicate whether a product is suitable for people with coeliac disease. According to the Voedingscentrum, oat products can come into contact with gluten; if you have coeliac disease, choose only oats with the official Crossed Grain symbol on the packaging.

Can oat bran replace porridge oats?

Not if you want the same texture in your porridge. The Smaakt oat bran reviewed lists 15 g of fibre per 100 g, while the AH Biologisch fine oat flakes reviewed list 10 g per 100 g. You should also compare your serving size and consider how you plan to use the product.