When choosing speculaas, start with the allergen you need to avoid, then compare suitable options. Traditional bakers’ speculaas may contain wheat, while a gluten-free product may still contain egg or carry warnings about other allergens. So always read the ingredients and allergen warnings on the current packaging of the exact variety you want to buy.
For the speculaas you choose, you want to be able to check both the ingredients and any warnings about the possible presence of the allergen you need to avoid. Even with a gluten-free option, look out for allergens such as egg, nuts or sesame.
You’re looking for a product explicitly labelled gluten-free, but you also check that the other ingredients and warnings suit your needs.
You compare the contents and type of biscuit only after checking that the allergen information for the specific variety is suitable for you.
Start with the allergen you need to avoid. Then check whether the product is labelled gluten-free and read any other warnings. Only after that should you compare the product variety and pack size.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Specific allergens | Read the ingredients and warnings for your allergen on the current packaging. | If I need to avoid a particular allergen, I also want to know whether there’s a warning about its possible presence. Around 42% of consumers prioritise checking for specific allergens. |
| Gluten-free labelling | Look for an explicit gluten-free label and check separately for any other allergens. | I’m looking for gluten-free speculaas, but I don’t want to overlook the possibility that it contains egg, for example. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this gluten-free option. |
| Variety and pack size | Compare the type of biscuit and pack size only across varieties whose labels suit your needs. | If several varieties are suitable for me, I want to know what type of biscuit I’m buying and how much is in the pack. For around 25% of consumers, this is the first comparison they make after checking allergens. |
According to the retailers, the gluten-free speculaas from Albert Heijn and Jumbo featured here as product examples both contain egg. Their warnings about other allergens differ by product.
As well as checking the gluten-free label, read the full ingredients list and warnings for the variety you choose.
Albert Heijn lists wheat in its Bakers’ speculaas. So if you have a food allergy, the type of product alone won’t tell you whether a biscuit is suitable.
Check the label for your allergen first, then compare only products that may be suitable.
Ingredients and allergen information can change. A previous purchase or a familiar brand name is no substitute for checking the packaging of the current variety.
Check the packaging of the exact variety and pack size every time you buy it.
ALDI describes its two-pack of filled speculaas as containing almonds and almond paste. This needs to be assessed separately from plain, unfilled speculaas.
If you choose a filled variety or one made with different ingredients, check all the ingredients and allergen warnings again.
Albert Heijn sells both traditional Bakers’ speculaas and a separate gluten-free speculaas product.
At Jumbo, gluten-free speculaas and speculaas mix are separate products, each with its own ingredients and allergen information.
Lotus Biscoff Original is speculoos. Check this product separately rather than treating it as the same as a supermarket’s own-brand bakers’ speculaas.
Biscotto Bakers’ speculaas and ALDI’s filled speculaas are different varieties.
Lidl sells bakers’ speculaas; the packaging is the key to checking the ingredients and allergens.
This product selection is for Lotus Biscoff speculoos. Check the ingredients and warnings on the pack you choose before deciding whether it suits your allergen requirements.
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If you need to avoid wheat or soya, this speculoos isn’t suitable: Lotus Biscoff lists wheat flour and soya flour in Original. Also check the other allergen warnings on the current packaging.
Don’t choose based on the product name alone. Albert Heijn lists wheat in its Bakers’ speculaas, and Lotus Biscoff lists wheat flour in Original. If you need a gluten-free product, look for an explicit gluten-free label, then check for other allergens.
No, the gluten-free label doesn’t mean that. According to their product information, the gluten-free speculaas products from Albert Heijn and Jumbo both contain egg and carry warnings about the possible presence of other allergens. Read the label of the variety you choose.
Yes. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that sellers of unpackaged food must provide customers with information about 14 allergens. Before buying, ask for information about the specific speculaas you want.
Because ingredients and allergen information can change. Albert Heijn therefore recommends checking the packaging. Check the exact variety again each time you buy it, even if the name looks familiar.
