Travellers with coeliac disease
Pack a biscuit with an explicit gluten-free claim before setting off. Coeliac UK advises planning ahead because gluten-free choices can be limited at train stations.
Who is this for?
Travellers who prefer smaller portions
Schär describes five separate portions in its 125 g pack, so you can open two biscuits at a time. The checked Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury’s listings describe 125 g packets but do not establish individually wrapped portions.
Shoppers avoiding both gluten and milk
The listed Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury’s Free From custard creams each carry gluten-free and milk-free claims. Check both claims on the particular packet you receive.
What should you check?
Start with the dietary claims on the exact product, then choose a pack format that works for the journey.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free claim | Look for an explicit gluten-free claim on the specific packet. Do not assume a conventional biscuit has the same ingredients as a retailer’s Free From version. | I need to identify the right biscuit without mistaking familiar custard creams for a gluten-free product. |
| Pack format | Schär describes five separately packed 25 g portions, with two biscuits in each. Check for portion-pack wording if inner packs matter; a total weight of 125 g does not establish them. | I would rather open two biscuits on the train than open a whole packet at once. |
| Food for the journey | Choose a pack you can carry before departure and follow its storage directions. Coeliac UK advises taking snacks because gluten-free choices can be limited at train stations and during delays. | If station choices are limited or my train is delayed, I want a snack already in my bag. |
| Other allergens | Check milk-free claims and the complete allergen information separately from the gluten-free claim. A lactose-free description alone does not establish that a product is milk-free. | Gluten is not the only ingredient I need to check before eating. |
What is easy to overlook?
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Choosing a familiar conventional custard cream
The checked Crawford’s 300 g and conventional Tesco 400 g custard creams list wheat flour and wheat starch.
Match the exact packet to an explicit gluten-free claim; do not transfer a Free From product’s claims to another biscuit from the same retailer.
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Assuming every 125 g pack contains smaller packs
Schär specifies five portions, while the checked Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury’s listings do not establish individual wrapping.
If you want to open only two biscuits at a time, check the portion-pack description rather than relying on the total pack weight.
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Relying on an online allergen description alone
Tesco and Asda warn that ingredients and allergy information can change.
Read the supplied packet before your journey, particularly if another allergen matters alongside gluten.
Relevant brand references
Schär
Schär lists gluten- and wheat-free custard creams in a 125 g portion-packed format.
- Schär describes five 25 g portions; Asda’s listing also identifies a Crossed Grain symbol for this product.
- Check the particular pack for any allergen requirements beyond gluten. The portion-pack description applies to this product, not every Schär biscuit.
Tesco
Tesco lists both Free From and conventional custard creams as distinct products.
- Its listed 125 g Free From custard creams carry gluten-free and milk-free claims.
- The conventional Tesco 400 g custard creams list wheat flour and wheat starch; check which packet you have.
Asda
Asda lists Free From custard creams in a 125 g packet.
- The checked listing identifies this product as gluten-free and milk-free.
- The listing does not establish separate inner portions, and Asda advises checking the product information on the packet.
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s lists 125 g Free From vanilla-flavour custard creams.
- The checked listing carries gluten-free and milk-free claims.
- Its pack description does not establish individually wrapped portions.
Crawford’s
The checked conventional custard creams provide a useful packet-label comparison, not a gluten-free option.
- Tesco’s listing for Crawford’s 300 g custard creams includes wheat flour and wheat starch.
A Joybuy product option
This portion-packed custard cream is an option if you want to open a small serving during a train journey.
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Schär Gluten Free Custard Creams 125 g
For opening a small serving on the train, Schär describes five separately packed 25 g portions, with two biscuits per portion. The product is labelled gluten-free; check the supplied packet for any other allergens that matter to you. A lactose-free description is not, by itself, a milk-free claim.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘gluten-free’ on a UK packet have a defined limit?
Yes. The Food Standards Agency states that food labelled gluten-free must contain no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten as sold to the consumer. That rule defines the claim; it is not a measured result for any biscuit on this page.
Should I pack biscuits before reaching the station?
Packing a suitable snack in advance follows Coeliac UK’s advice to plan ahead: gluten-free choices can be limited at train stations, and delays can extend a journey. Check the packet you receive before travelling.
Do these biscuits need refrigeration on the train?
The checked Schär and Asda listings specify cool, dry storage, and Asda describes its product as ambient. Follow the storage directions on your supplied packet.
What if the packet differs from the online description?
Use the supplied packet’s ingredients and allergen information. Tesco and Asda warn that product information can change; if a dietary claim you require is unclear, ask the seller or manufacturer before eating.
Does lactose-free also mean milk-free?
No. A lactose-free description alone does not establish a milk-free claim. If both gluten and milk matter to you, check each claim and the complete allergen information on the specific packet.