Who are these flakes for?

For making simple treats at home

If you want to use flakes for breakfast or homemade Advent treats, plain oat flakes let you choose exactly what else to add. Check the finished treat’s overall ingredients against the full recipe.

For shoppers who choose organic with care

If you want to check that a product is organic, look for the EU organic logo on the packaging. According to Skal Biocontrole, this logo makes a product’s organic status easy to identify.

For households that need to watch out for gluten

If you’re buying flakes for someone with coeliac disease, don’t assume that ordinary organic oats are suitable. In this situation, the Voedingscentrum advises looking for the Crossed Grain symbol; check the current packaging too.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you want to use pure oats or a mix of grains. Then check the organic labelling, ingredients and allergen information for the product, as well as for any additions to your recipe.

What to look for What to check when buying Who it matters to
Organic labelling Look for the EU organic logo on the packaging; don’t rely on words such as natural or pure alone. I want to be able to see that the flakes themselves are organic, rather than judging by the look of the pack. For around 50% of consumers, clear, verifiable organic labelling comes first.
Grain type and use Check whether the ingredients list mentions oats alone or several grains, and consider which type of flakes best suits what you’re making. When I make breakfast or little treats, I want to know what I’m using as a base and what else I’m adding. Around 33% of consumers give this choice for their recipe top priority.
Gluten and allergens Check the ingredients and allergen information for every product you use. If you have coeliac disease, look for an explicit gluten-free statement and the Crossed Grain symbol. If I’m making something for someone with coeliac disease or a food allergy, the packaging must meet their requirements. For around 17% of consumers, this check is their main concern when choosing.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing organic with gluten-free

    An organic logo tells you about a product’s organic status, not whether the oats are suitable for someone with coeliac disease. According to the Voedingscentrum, ordinary oat products aren’t automatically suitable for this purpose.

    If you have coeliac disease, check the packaging for a gluten-free statement and the Crossed Grain symbol.

  • Mistaking a mixed-grain blend for pure oats

    A blend has a different composition from single-ingredient oat flakes. According to Jumbo’s product information, Smaakt Organic Four-Grain Flakes contain oats, barley, rye and wheat.

    Read the full ingredients list before choosing flakes for a recipe, especially if any of the grains aren’t suitable for the person you’re making it for.

  • Assuming the flakes are the same as the finished treat

    The nutritional value and allergens in a homemade treat also depend on ingredients such as chocolate, syrup, nuts or dairy. The information on the pack of flakes doesn’t cover the whole recipe.

    Check the nutrition and allergen information for every ingredient when you’re making something for other people.

Brands worth comparing

Jumbo

Jumbo offers a 500 g pack of organic wholegrain oat flakes.

  • The product information lists organic wholegrain oat flakes as the only ingredient.
  • The same product information lists oats as an allergen and notes that other allergens may be present; check the packaging if you’re buying for someone with dietary restrictions.

Smaakt

Smaakt’s range includes organic wholegrain oat flakes and an organic four-grain blend.

  • According to Jumbo, the four-grain blend contains oat, barley, rye and wheat flakes, each making up 25%.
  • The four-grain blend isn’t suitable as a gluten-free grain base because it contains barley, rye and wheat.

Zonnatura

Zonnatura offers organic wholegrain porridge oats for anyone looking for finer oat flakes.

  • The product information reviewed lists 11 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The product information lists gluten and possible traces of soya, milk, nuts and sesame; check the latest allergen information before use.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists AH Organic Fine Porridge Oats and AH Organic Wholegrain Jumbo Porridge Oats.

  • The product names distinguish between fine and coarse flakes.
  • For the pack you choose, check the full ingredients list, organic labelling and allergen information.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell if flakes are organic?

Look for the EU organic logo on the flakes’ packaging. According to Skal Biocontrole, this shows that the product is organic; descriptions such as pure or natural aren’t a substitute for the logo.

Are organic oat flakes automatically gluten-free?

No. According to the Voedingscentrum, oat products may come into contact with gluten and aren’t automatically suitable for someone with coeliac disease. In that case, look for an explicit gluten-free statement and the Crossed Grain symbol on the packaging.

Can I use oat flakes to make homemade Advent treats?

Yes, oat flakes can be used as an ingredient in homemade bars or baked bites, for example. Assess the nutrition and allergens in the whole recipe, including any sweeteners, chocolate, nuts and dairy.

Which allergens should I check when sharing treats?

Check the allergen information for every ingredient you use. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergens must be clearly identifiable in the ingredients list of pre-packed foods, and that the specific type of grain must be named for gluten-containing cereals.

How should I store an opened pack of flakes?

Follow the storage instructions on the pack you’re using. Jumbo and Smaakt’s product information advises storing the flakes in a cool, dry, dark place, with the packaging tightly closed.