Guests with coeliac disease and their hosts
Look for a clearly labelled gluten-free biscuit, then keep its serving area and utensils clear of gluten-containing crumbs. Coeliac UK advises cleaning surfaces and utensils to avoid cross-contact.
Who is this for?
Shoppers avoiding both gluten and milk
Check both requirements on the particular pack. Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda list the free-from custard creams discussed here as gluten-free and milk-free; Schär’s listed claim is lactose-free, which is not the same as milk-free.
People taking biscuits to a tea break
Schär’s listed 125 g pack contains five individual portions, making it possible to take or set aside a portion without opening a sharing pack.
What to check before choosing
Start with the gluten-free claim on the pack, then check any other dietary requirements and decide whether individual portions or a sharing pack suit the tea break.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free suitability | Read the gluten-free claim and ingredients on the exact pack. The Food Standards Agency defines gluten-free as no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten in the food as sold to the final consumer. | I need a biscuit identified as gluten-free, rather than assuming all custard creams have the same ingredients. |
| Other dietary requirements | Check milk-free, lactose-free and vegan claims separately. Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda list their specified free-from packs as milk-free; Sainsbury’s describes the listed Schär pack as lactose-free. | If a guest also avoids milk, I need to check the current pack for that requirement—not treat a lactose-free claim as a milk-free one. |
| Pack format | Schär’s listed 125 g pack has five individual portions. The Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda free-from custard creams discussed here are listed as 125 g packs. | Individual portions would be handy to take out or set aside; for tea at home, I may prefer to serve from a pack. |
| Serving alongside other biscuits | Use a clean surface and utensils where gluten-free and conventional biscuits are served together. Coeliac UK advises cleaning surfaces and utensils with hot soapy water to avoid cross-contact. | When both kinds are on the tea table, I want the gluten-free biscuits kept clear of crumbs from the conventional ones. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming every custard cream is gluten-free
The Crawford’s product listed by Tesco contains wheat flour and wheat starch; the McVitie’s Tasties product listed by Joybuy also identifies wheat as an allergen. Neither product should be treated as a gluten-free choice on the strength of its name.
Read the dietary claim and allergen information on the current pack before serving it to someone who needs gluten-free food.
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Assuming gluten-free covers every other requirement
Gluten-free, milk-free, lactose-free and vegan are distinct claims. A pack meeting one requirement does not automatically meet another.
Check each requirement separately against the particular product’s current label.
Brand and product references
These references concern the specified custard creams, not every biscuit made by each brand.
Schär
The listed gluten-free custard creams come in a 125 g pack with five individual portions.
- Sainsbury’s describes this product as wheat-free, lactose-free and suitable for vegans; Asda also lists it as gluten-free.
- Lactose-free is not a substitute for checking whether a biscuit meets a milk-free requirement.
Tesco
Tesco lists a 125 g Free From custard-cream pack.
- Its listing describes the product as gluten-free, milk-free and suitable for vegans.
- Tesco cautions that ingredients and allergen information can change, so check the current pack.
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s lists its own Free From Custard Creams in a 125 g pack.
- The listing describes this product as gluten-free, milk-free and suitable for vegans.
- Check the current pack for any additional dietary requirement.
Asda
Asda lists a 125 g Free From custard-cream pack.
- Its listing identifies the product as free from cereals containing gluten and milk, and suitable for vegans.
- Those claims apply to the specified product; check the pack being served.
Crawford’s
The conventional 300 g custard creams listed by Tesco are a different choice from the free-from products above.
- Tesco’s ingredient listing includes wheat flour and wheat starch, so this product is not a gluten-free alternative.
McVitie’s
The Joybuy listing for McVitie’s Tasties Custard Creams 300 g identifies wheat and milk as allergens.
- This particular custard-cream product is not a gluten-free choice; the finding does not describe every McVitie’s biscuit.
M&S
M&S lists Extra Cream Custard Creams and also describes gluten-free options elsewhere in its biscuit range.
- The wider range’s gluten-free options do not establish that Extra Cream Custard Creams are gluten-free. Check that product’s own label before considering it for a gluten-free tea break.
A Joybuy option for taking to tea
This individual-portion custard cream is relevant if you want to take a gluten-free biscuit to an afternoon tea break or set aside a serving before other biscuits are brought out.
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Schär Gluten-Free Custard Creams 125 g
The individual portions let you take or set aside biscuits for a tea break. Retailer listings for this 125 g product describe five portion packs and state that it is lactose-free and suitable for vegans. Lactose-free does not mean milk-free: check the current ingredients if milk is a concern, and keep the biscuits clear of gluten-containing crumbs when serving.
Common questions
Does “gluten-free” have a defined meaning on UK food labels?
Yes. The Food Standards Agency defines gluten-free as no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten in the food as sold to the final consumer. Check for that claim on the particular custard-cream pack rather than relying on the biscuit’s name.
Does gluten-free also mean milk-free?
No. Check each requirement on the specific pack: the listed Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda free-from custard creams carry milk-free claims, while Sainsbury’s describes the listed Schär product as lactose-free. The two terms are not interchangeable.
How can I serve gluten-free biscuits alongside ordinary custard creams?
Keep gluten-containing crumbs off the gluten-free biscuits. Coeliac UK advises cleaning surfaces and utensils with hot soapy water where cross-contact could occur; use clean utensils when serving the gluten-free portion.
How should I store an opened pack?
Follow the instructions on that pack. The storage directions for Crawford’s conventional custard creams should not be assumed to apply to a gluten-free product.