Which option works best for you?

Preparing lunches in advance

If you want to choose what goes into your oats, you can divide a plain oat base into portions at home. If you’re choosing organic, check the EU organic logo, the inspection body’s code and the ingredients list.

Limited time to prepare lunch at work

If you have a short break, the preparation method and facilities you need matter more than the type of oat flake alone. Fine flakes or individual sachets can be convenient to take with you; check separately whether your chosen product is certified organic.

Paying extra attention to the label

If you need to avoid certain ingredients or allergens, check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging. According to the Voedingscentrum, people with coeliac disease need oats bearing the official Crossed Grain symbol; organic certification is not a substitute.

What should you look for when choosing?

First check that the organic claim meets your requirements, then choose a preparation method and pack that work for your lunch break. If you’re considering an oat or grain mix, check which ingredients are actually in the pack.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this important for?
Organic labelling Check the EU organic logo, the inspection body’s code and the ingredients list on the packaging. If organic is a requirement for me, I want to be able to check this on the pack before preparing portions for the week. An estimated 31% of consumers put this check first.
Preparing it at work Read the preparation instructions and check that the time and facilities required fit your break. With a short lunch break, I want to know whether I can prepare my oats using what’s available at work. For an estimated 31% of consumers, this is the main consideration.
Taking portions with you Compare a pack that you can portion yourself with individual sachets, and consider how to carry dry portions. When I plan several lunches in advance, I want to take a suitable amount with me without any hassle. This is the main consideration for an estimated 23% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current ingredients and allergen information; if you have coeliac disease, also check for the official Crossed Grain symbol. If I need to avoid certain grains or other ingredients, I want to know what’s in a plain oat base or mix. An estimated 15% of consumers prioritise this information on the label.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming organic, wholegrain and gluten-free mean the same thing

    These terms don’t mean the same thing. The Voedingscentrum points out that ordinary oats can be contaminated with gluten; an organic or wholegrain label does not make oats suitable for people with coeliac disease.

    To check whether a product is organic, look for the EU organic logo and the inspection body’s code. If you have coeliac disease and want to eat oats, also look for the official Crossed Grain symbol.

  • Mistaking a grain mix for plain oats

    A mix may contain other grains or soya as well as oats. For example, the Zonnatura Bio Havermout Proteïne described by Jumbo also contains spelt and soya flakes.

    Read the ingredients list before choosing a mix. If you’re specifically looking for a base without those extra ingredients, choose plain oats.

  • Relying only on a product name or search filter

    A product name won’t tell you which allergens, preparation instructions or nutritional information appear on the packaging. This makes it harder to find a product that suits your lunch break and ingredient requirements.

    Check the packaging when you buy or receive the product, paying particular attention to the organic labelling, ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions.

Brands to consider

Jumbo

Jumbo describes its 500 g pack of organic wholegrain oats as a simple oat base.

  • According to Jumbo, this particular product is made from organic wholegrain oats, and the product information displays the code NL-BIO-01.
  • Check the allergen information on the current pack if oats, gluten or possible traces of other ingredients are relevant to you.

AH Biologisch

Albert Heijn lists fine organic oat flakes in a 500 g pack in its AH Biologisch range.

  • The fine flakes are a specific option to compare with coarser oat flakes.
  • Check the EU organic logo, ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions on the pack you choose.

Lidl Crownfield

Lidl describes Crownfield Organic Oats as a 500 g pack.

  • The product description makes it an option to check on the label when you visit the shop.
  • Check the ingredients and organic labelling on the pack; Lidl lists this product as an in-store item.

Quaker

Quaker Oats Express Naturel is designed for anyone who wants to take oats with them in individual portions.

  • Quaker Nederland describes this specific product as a pack containing 12 portions.
  • A pack of individual portions is not automatically organic; check the specific packaging if certification is a requirement.

Brinta

Brinta Oats are a standard oat product to compare with products labelled organic.

  • The ingredients listed by Albert Heijn for this product are 100% oat flakes.
  • Albert Heijn notes that this product may contain traces of wheat and rye. Don’t assume it is certified organic unless you check the packaging.

Oats at Joybuy

This 500 g pack is worth considering if you want to portion out oats yourself for office lunches. Before deciding whether it suits your lunch, check the ingredients, organic labelling and preparation instructions on the packaging.

Zonnatura Organic Whole Wheat Oatmeal, 500 g

Zonnatura Organic Whole Wheat Oatmeal, 500 g

If you want to portion out oats yourself for an office lunch, this 500 g pack could be an option. Check the pack to see which grains are listed in the ingredients, whether it displays the EU organic logo and inspection body’s code, and how the oats need to be prepared.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

How can I check whether oats are organic?

Look on the packaging for the EU organic logo, the inspection body’s code and the origin statement for the agricultural raw materials. The European Commission explains these requirements for organic labelling; a natural-looking pack or product name is not enough on its own.

Are organic oats suitable for people with coeliac disease?

Not on the basis of the organic label alone. According to the Voedingscentrum, oats can be contaminated with gluten, and people with coeliac disease need to check that the packaging bears the official Crossed Grain symbol.

Should I take fine flakes, coarse flakes or individual sachets to work?

Choose based on what you can prepare during your break, and check separately whether the product is organic by looking at the pack. Jumbo says its organic wholegrain oats take three minutes to cook and three minutes to stand; the coarse organic flakes from Smaakt described by Jumbo have a cooking time of ten minutes. Quaker Nederland sells Oats Express Naturel in individual portions, but this type of packaging doesn’t confirm organic certification.

What should I compare besides the organic label?

Compare the ingredients, allergens, nutritional information per 100 g and preparation instructions for the products you’re considering. With a mix, the ingredients list is especially important: the Zonnatura Bio Havermout Proteïne described by Jumbo contains spelt and soya as well as oats.

How can I take oats with me for several lunches?

You can divide dry portions into airtight containers in advance, then follow the storage and preparation instructions on the packaging. Take liquid or other additions separately if you want to mix them with the oats during your lunch break.