For a university canteen looking to buy organic, start by checking the organic label on the exact pack, not the word ‘instant’. Organic oats that need cooking and a quick-cook portion pack have different preparation requirements. For the quick-cook option, check its organic status separately, and make sure allergen information is available when serving it unpackaged.
If you want to buy or label porridge oats as organic, you need to be able to distinguish the product supplied from products described only as ‘natural’ or ‘wholegrain’. RVO identifies the EU organic logo as a way to recognise organic products and points out that the term ‘organic’ is protected.
During short, busy service periods, preparation method and the work involved per portion matter. If a quick-to-prepare product is required for the menu, its organic label also needs to be checked separately.
When serving porridge oats unpackaged, guests must be able to access allergen information. Check the current packaging, as well as any ingredients added during preparation or as toppings.
First, decide whether the porridge oats supplied must carry an organic label. Then compare the preparation instructions, allergen information and packaging with the way your canteen serves portions.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it's important for |
|---|---|---|
| Organic label | Check the EU organic logo and organic label on the exact pack. For repeat orders, make sure the product specification matches the version supplied. | If I list porridge oats as organic on the canteen menu, I want to be able to check that the version supplied meets that requirement. For around 31% of consumers, this is the top priority. |
| Preparation during the lunch rush | Read the instructions for each portion and check whether it needs hot water, a microwave or a saucepan. Jumbo says its organic wholegrain porridge oats need to be boiled for 3 minutes and left to stand for 3 minutes; according to Albert Heijn, Quaker Oats Express Naturel is ready in 2 minutes. | When several portions need to be ready in quick succession, I want to know which preparation method the team can manage during service. Around 31% of consumers prioritise speed and ease of preparation. |
| Allergens and gluten | Read the current allergen information and, when serving the food unpackaged, make information about the prepared dish available. For a gluten-free option, also check the label and your procedures for preventing cross-contact. | If guests ask about allergens or need a gluten-free option, I must be able to provide information about the portion served. For around 23% of consumers, this is the first thing they look for. |
| Portions and repeat orders | Compare the number of portions and type of packaging with your planned service. When a new delivery arrives, check that the version and allergen information are unchanged. | For a regular lunch service, I want to choose packaging that suits our portions and is easy to recognise in future deliveries. Around 15% of consumers put this practical buying consideration first. |
These labels answer different questions. RVO identifies the EU organic logo as a way to recognise organic products; a description of the grain or preparation method is no substitute for checking it.
When you change supplier or receive updated packaging, check the organic label on the version actually being supplied.
Short preparation instructions don’t confirm that the same version is organic. Quaker Oats Express Naturel and Elovena Natural Instant Oatmeal are examples of quick-to-prepare products, but their preparation method does not indicate organic status.
Before adding a product to an organic menu, ask to see the current label or product specification for the exact version.
When serving food unpackaged, allergen information must also be accessible to guests. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that information about unpackaged food must be provided in a way other than on a packaging label.
Make sure the information covers the dish served, including toppings, and update it if ingredients or suppliers change.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats can come into contact with gluten during processing. So a standard pack of porridge oats won’t tell you whether it’s suitable as a gluten-free option.
Check the gluten-free label on the exact product and prevent cross-contact during storage, preparation and service.
Jumbo Biologisch Volkoren Havermout 500 g is an example of a product for canteens looking for organic porridge oats as a base.
Quaker Oats Express Naturel is a portion-packed option if short preparation times are important.
Elovena Natural Instant Oatmeal Glutenvrij is instant porridge oats packed in individual portions.
Zonnatura Bio Havermout Proteïne 375 g is an organic flake mix, not a product to describe as containing oats alone.
Check the organic label and EU organic logo on the exact pack being supplied. RVO identifies the logo as a way to recognise organic products and points out that the term ‘organic’ is protected; ‘natural’ and ‘wholegrain’ are not substitutes.
No. ‘Instant’ describes how it’s prepared; it doesn’t confirm organic status. Compare the preparation instructions with the needs of your lunch service, and check the organic label on your chosen version separately.
Make allergen information about the dish served accessible to guests, even if the outer pack stays in the kitchen. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that information about unpackaged food must be provided in another way. Include the ingredients in any toppings and keep the information up to date.
Don’t assume they can. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that oats can come into contact with gluten during processing. For a gluten-free option, check the label on the exact product and your canteen’s procedures for preventing cross-contact.
