If you make your own Sunday porridge
You’re looking for an organic oat base with a short ingredients list, so you can decide what to add to your porridge. You may also want to use the same oats to make pancakes.
Who are these options relevant to?
If you need a gluten-free product
An organic label alone isn’t enough for you. You’re looking for oats explicitly labelled gluten-free, and you’ll also check the current allergen information.
If you’re looking for a breakfast mix
You want to compare the protein content and ingredients in your breakfast, and prefer a blend of oats, spelt and soya rather than oats with just one ingredient.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide what matters most for your Sunday breakfast: a plain organic base, an explicit gluten-free label or a mix of ingredients. Then check the packaging for the ingredients and allergen information.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Organic and plain | Check for an organic label and see whether the ingredients list contains only oats or oat flakes. | If I want to make my own Sunday porridge, I’d rather choose a base with one ingredient; around 44% of consumers prioritise a plain organic base like this. |
| Explicitly gluten-free | Look for a ‘gluten-free’ label on the current packaging and read the allergen information. | If gluten-free is a must for my breakfast, I can’t rely on the organic label. Roughly 33% of consumers prioritise this requirement. |
| Blended mix | Compare the protein content per 100 g and check which grains and other ingredients the mix contains. | If you’re specifically looking to combine oats with spelt and soya, you’ll want something other than plain oats; around 23% of consumers prioritise a mixed option like this. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming organic means gluten-free
According to Jumbo’s product page, its organic wholegrain oats contain gluten and may contain traces of other allergens. So the organic label doesn’t tell you whether the product meets a gluten-free requirement.
If you need a gluten-free product, look for an explicit label on the current product and read the allergen information on the packaging.
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Mistaking a mix for plain oats
The Zonnatura Bio Protein Oats listed by Jumbo contain oat, spelt and soya flakes. That’s a different blend from oats with oats as the only ingredient.
Check the ingredients list first, then compare the nutritional information if the blend suits your breakfast.
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Relying on an old product listing
The Albert Heijn listings consulted for Leev and the Jumbo listing for Zonnatura describe the products in question as discontinued or no longer part of the online range. So a product description that’s still visible doesn’t necessarily mean you can still buy that product.
Check the current sales page just before you buy and compare the packaging with the ingredients you’re looking for.
Brands worth comparing
Jumbo
Jumbo has listed a 500 g pack of organic wholegrain oats as a simple base for porridge and other oat-based recipes.
- According to Jumbo’s product page, the ingredients list consists of organic wholegrain oats.
- The product information mentions gluten and possible traces of other allergens; check the current packaging if this affects your choice.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn listed Leev’s organic gluten-free oats as a separate product option.
- The Leev product listing describes the oats as both organic and gluten-free.
- The listing consulted marked this product as discontinued; check a current sales page before relying on it being available.
Leev
Leev is relevant here because one of its oat products is described in Albert Heijn’s listing as both organic and gluten-free.
- The product listing specifies gluten-free oats as an ingredient.
- Albert Heijn marked this product as discontinued. If you find it elsewhere, always check the current packaging and allergen information.
Zonnatura
Alongside its wholegrain oats, Zonnatura has a mix of organic oat, spelt and soya flakes in the product listings consulted.
- The listed mix gives a clear breakdown of the ingredients: 37% oat flakes, 37% spelt flakes and 26% soya flakes.
- This mix isn’t a single-ingredient oat product. The Jumbo listings consulted also marked the Zonnatura products in question as no longer part of the online range.
Products on Joybuy
Related products will appear soon.
Frequently asked questions
How can I identify organic oats?
For pre-packed organic oats from the EU, check for the EU organic logo, the code of the inspection body and the stated origin of the agricultural raw materials. According to the European Commission, the logo may only be used on products certified as organic by an authorised inspection body. Also read the ingredients list to see which type of oats or other ingredients you’re buying.
Are organic oats also gluten-free?
No, the organic label doesn’t guarantee that. For example, Jumbo’s organic wholegrain oats list gluten, while the Leev product listing consulted at Albert Heijn explicitly describes its oats as gluten-free. Always check the current packaging before buying.
What label information can help me compare oats?
Compare the product name, ingredients, allergens, net quantity, nutritional information and any preparation instructions on the packaging. Business.gov.nl describes this as part of the Dutch rules for labelling pre-packed foods; the information must be easy to read and must not be misleading.
How do I make hot organic porridge?
Follow the instructions for the product you buy. For Jumbo Organic Wholegrain Oats, the product information recommends using 40 g of oats and 250 ml of water, milk or plant-based drink: simmer for three minutes, stirring, then leave to stand for a further three minutes. Instructions may vary for other oats or a mix.