Coeliac shoppers comparing sugars
Start with the exact biscuit’s gluten-free label, then compare sugars on a common per-100 g basis. A sugar claim on a wheat biscuit does not establish that it is gluten-free.
Who needs to check what?
Shoppers avoiding gluten-free oats
Check the ingredient list rather than assuming every gluten-free digestive uses the same flour. Coeliac UK says a small number of people with coeliac disease remain sensitive to gluten-free oats.
What should you compare?
Check whether the biscuit meets the gluten-free requirement first. Then compare sugar figures and ingredients on the packs that remain.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free status | Look for a gluten-free statement on the exact pack and read the highlighted cereal ingredients. The Food Standards Agency defines gluten-free as no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten in food as sold. | I’m shopping for someone with coeliac disease, so a reduced-sugar claim cannot take the place of the gluten-free check. |
| Sugars | Compare sugars in g per 100 g across eligible biscuits; use the current pack’s per-biscuit figure when considering a portion. Schär, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Tesco list 18, 19.7, 20 and 24.8 g per 100 g respectively for the named gluten-free digestives. | I want to compare the listed sugar amounts without treating differently sized biscuits as equal portions. |
| Oats and allergens | Check whether the ingredients include gluten-free oats, then read separate allergen and ‘may contain’ statements. Coeliac UK notes that some people with coeliac disease remain sensitive to gluten-free oats. | If I avoid gluten-free oats or have another relevant allergy, I need the ingredients and warnings for this particular pack. |
| Current pack details | Check the product offered at purchase and read its delivered pack before eating. Tesco cautions that ingredients and nutrition information can change. | An online listing helps me compare options, but I need the current pack information for the biscuit I receive. |
Common label mistakes
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Checking the sugar claim before the gluten
McVitie’s lists wheat flour in The Light One, despite its 30%-less-sugar claim against the average digestive biscuit. Gullón describes its Zero sugar-free digestive as a wheat biscuit.
For coeliac shopping, establish the exact product’s gluten-free status before comparing its sugar information.
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Comparing sugar per biscuit without checking size
A per-biscuit figure describes that biscuit’s portion, so it is not a common-weight comparison when biscuit sizes differ.
Compare g sugars per 100 g first, then read the pack’s per-biscuit figure for the portion you intend to serve.
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Assuming gluten-free oats suit everyone
Coeliac UK says most people with coeliac disease can eat gluten-free oats, but a small number remain sensitive to them.
If you avoid gluten-free oats or have been advised to do so, check the ingredients and discuss their use with your healthcare professional.
Product lines to distinguish
These details concern the named biscuits, not every product made by each brand.
Schär
Its UK Digestive Biscuits provide a gluten-free option with a listed sugars figure.
- Schär UK lists the 150 g digestives as gluten and wheat free, with 18 g sugars per 100 g.
- The ingredients include soya, and the listing warns that the biscuits may contain lupin and eggs.
Sainsbury’s
Its Free From 188 g digestives are an oat-based option.
- Sainsbury’s lists gluten-free oat flour, suitability for coeliacs and 19.7 g sugars per 100 g.
- The listing says this pack is not suitable for customers with a nut allergy because of manufacturing methods.
Asda
Its Free From 188 g digestives offer another gluten-free oat-based comparison.
- Asda lists gluten-free oat flour and 20 g sugars per 100 g for this pack.
- Asda advises reading the pack because product information can change.
Tesco
Its Free From 160 g digestives use gluten-free oat flour.
- Tesco lists 24.8 g sugars per 100 g for this product.
- The listing checked was out of stock; Tesco also advises checking the current pack rather than relying solely on its website.
McVitie’s
The Light One shows why a sugar comparison is separate from coeliac suitability.
- McVitie’s claims 30% less sugar than the average digestive biscuit for The Light One.
- That named product lists wheat flour and cereals containing gluten.
M&S
Its standard Digestive Biscuits and Made Without biscuits need to be assessed as separate products.
- M&S lists gluten-free biscuits within its Made Without range.
- Its named standard Digestive Biscuits contain wheatflour and barley malt extract; do not apply another product’s free-from description to them.
Crawford’s
A documented catering digestive provides an example of a wheat-based product.
- Henderson Foodservice’s specification lists wheat flour and wholemeal wheat flour in the named Crawford’s digestive and marks the assorted packs unsuitable for coeliacs.
Joybuy product option
The Joybuy option here is a gluten-free digestive for shoppers comparing sugar figures after checking gluten-free status.
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Schär Gluten Free Digestive Biscuits 150 g
For a gluten-free digestive comparison, Schär UK lists 18 g sugars per 100 g for this 150 g product. Its ingredients include soya, and its listing says it may contain lupin and eggs; check the current pack if those allergens matter to you.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘30% less sugar’ mean a digestive is suitable for someone with coeliac disease?
No. The claim compares sugar, not gluten. McVitie’s says The Light One has 30% less sugar than the average digestive biscuit, but lists wheat flour and cereals containing gluten for that product.
Can a gluten-free digestive contain oats?
Yes. Check that the exact biscuit is labelled gluten-free and read its ingredients for gluten-free oats. Coeliac UK says most people with coeliac disease can eat gluten-free oats, while a small number remain sensitive to them.
What does ‘gluten-free’ mean on a UK food label?
The Food Standards Agency defines gluten-free as no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten in the food as sold. Check the exact pack’s label rather than inferring gluten-free status from ‘digestive’, ‘sugar-free’ or ‘wheat-free’.
What should I check when buying online or serving biscuits in a shared kitchen?
Read the delivered pack’s ingredients and allergen information before serving. In a shared kitchen, Coeliac UK advises cleaning utensils and surfaces and avoiding breadcrumbs in shared spreads.