If you have coeliac disease, choose breakfast cereal with an explicit gluten-free statement and check the allergen information. If sugar-free is also a strict requirement, look for no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g in the nutritional information: this is the threshold for the ‘sugar-free’ claim under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. ‘Unsweetened’ and ‘no added sugars’ do not confirm that this threshold has been met.
You’re looking for breakfast cereal with an explicit gluten-free statement and no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. To check this, you’ll need to look at both the allergen information and the nutritional information for the same product.
Choosing a gluten-free product comes first, but you’ll also want to check the ingredients list. Compare the total sugars per 100 g too: ‘no added sugars’ does not mean the same as ‘sugar-free’.
You want to compare suitable products by sugar, fibre, salt, pack size and availability. Check the gluten-free statement on the packaging of each product before comparing these features.
If you have coeliac disease, check for a gluten-free statement first. Then decide whether you need a genuinely sugar-free product or simply want to limit added sugar; these are different requirements to consider when choosing a product.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Confirmed gluten-free status | Look for an explicit gluten-free claim or a gluten-free certification mark. Also read the allergen information on the packaging. | If I have coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on maize being the main ingredient; I want to be able to check for a gluten-free statement. For around 34% of consumers, confirmed gluten-free status is the top priority. |
| Strictly sugar-free | Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g: under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the ‘sugar-free’ claim means no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. | If sugar-free is a strict requirement, I don’t want to choose an unsweetened product that still exceeds the limit. Around 33% of consumers make this strict sugar requirement their top priority. |
| Other nutritional information | Once you’ve checked that the product is gluten-free, compare the ingredients and the amounts of sugars, fibre and salt per 100 g. | I want to limit added sugar and compare fibre and salt too. For around 20% of consumers, this nutritional profile is the most important consideration. |
| Pack size and availability | Check the pack size and make sure your chosen product is available just before you buy. | If I’m buying it for breakfast regularly, I want to know that the pack size suits me and that the same product will still be available. For around 13% of consumers, this practical consideration is the deciding factor. |
Breakfast cereal can contain sugars even if no sugar has been added. For example, Smaakt Bio Cornflakes Ongezoet, listed by Jumbo, contains 1.0 g of sugars per 100 g, which is above the EU limit of 0.5 g per 100 g for the ‘sugar-free’ claim.
If you need a strictly sugar-free product, check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g, not just the wording on the front of the pack.
A maize-based product doesn’t automatically have confirmed gluten-free status. The Dutch Coeliac Association recommends checking for the Crossed Grain symbol or an explicit gluten-free claim if you have coeliac disease.
Check both the gluten-free statement and the allergen information for the product you’re buying.
Ingredients and nutritional information can change. Albert Heijn notes in its product information that the current packaging is the definitive source.
When you buy a new pack, check the gluten-free statement, allergen information and sugar content again.
A gluten-free statement and a low sugar content are separate features. The products mentioned here show why you need to check both on the same label.
Albert Heijn states that its 200 g AH Glutenvrij Cornflakes are labelled gluten-free.
Jumbo describes its 200 g cornflakes as gluten-free and displays the Crossed Grain symbol.
Smaakt Bio Cornflakes Ongezoet, as described by Jumbo, are presented as cornflakes with no added sugar.
Jumbo describes Consenza Pure & Free Glutenvrije Cornflakes as suitable for a gluten-free diet.
No. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the ‘sugar-free’ claim for solid foods means no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. A product can contain more total sugars even if no sugar has been added, so check the ‘of which sugars’ figure on the packaging.
No, the main ingredient alone doesn’t confirm that they’re suitable. The Dutch Coeliac Association recommends choosing a product with the Crossed Grain symbol or an explicit gluten-free statement. You should also read the product’s allergen information.
For oat flakes, look for an explicit gluten-free statement on the product. According to the Dutch Coeliac Association, ordinary oats can come into contact with gluten, so oats as an ingredient do not, on their own, confirm that the cereal is suitable.
Yes. Check the current packaging even if you’ve bought the same breakfast cereal before. Albert Heijn notes that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change. These details determine whether the product still meets your gluten and sugar requirements.
